New challenges for pharma supply chain

Abstract

The products speed-to-market and efficiency in supply chain (SC) become crucial factors under modern globalization conditions and the application of ICT. E-trade process is usually more efficient than the traditional paper-based one and is exclusively important for pharma SC companies aiming to operate in efficiency manner. The research is oriented to the usage of e-trade attributes by health sector, which corresponds to more efficient SC. The behavior of SC actors is changing since 1970 due to some reasons: - globalization forces business to create tied SC relationships between actors; - demand becomes key element in serving customers at their locations with the diversity of products available in required time-frame; - ICT influences trade process, which is now handled with more advanced IT systems and links between them. Some pharmacies are carrying large varieties of product but small inventories. There are more complex models when enterprises are vertically integrated to outsourcing. In theories of economy the application of e-trade is associated with quick response for maximizing efficiency through economies of time by reducing inventory cycle time. SC linkages are important for enterprises as they are connecting with each other faster. Finally, properly settled e-trade process reduces costs and increases efficiency in pharma SC.