Comments on: Predicting Gaps in the Supply Chain http://blog.pharmtech.com/2009/06/17/predicting-gaps-in-the-supply-chain/ The blog of Pharmaceutical Technology magazine Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:24:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mike Alkire http://blog.pharmtech.com/2009/06/17/predicting-gaps-in-the-supply-chain/comment-page-1/#comment-15274 Mike Alkire Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:14:40 +0000 http://blog.pharmtech.com/?p=1434#comment-15274 Mapping the risks of supply shortages due to geopolitical events has promise. But when a manufacturer or wholesaler represents a product, they are not absolved from their responsibility to exert more control over their supply chains with rigorous inspections, documented chains of custody and quality control testing – for all suppliers. Second, risk mapping solutions ignore a fundamental problem. If we discover there are risks in China, for instance, where’s the backup supply going to come from? Considering how much raw material is sourced there, are alternatives even available? More important than risk assessment is identifying domestic or nearshore suppliers for fast activation in times of shortages or counterfeiting crises. There is no one answer to combating counterfeits. Assessing the risk is a piece of the puzzle, but relying solely on these types of solutions may provide a false sense of security. We need to expand our supply options, and keep a close, continuous watch over our supply sources, too. Mapping the risks of supply shortages due to geopolitical events has promise. But when a manufacturer or wholesaler represents a product, they are not absolved from their responsibility to exert more control over their supply chains with rigorous inspections, documented chains of custody and quality control testing – for all suppliers.

Second, risk mapping solutions ignore a fundamental problem. If we discover there are risks in China, for instance, where’s the backup supply going to come from? Considering how much raw material is sourced there, are alternatives even available? More important than risk assessment is identifying domestic or nearshore suppliers for fast activation in times of shortages or counterfeiting crises.

There is no one answer to combating counterfeits. Assessing the risk is a piece of the puzzle, but relying solely on these types of solutions may provide a false sense of security. We need to expand our supply options, and keep a close, continuous watch over our supply sources, too.

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