Healthcare companies seek logistics partnerships as supply chains grow more complex

Global healthcare executives are facing an increasingly intricate supply chain as concerns ranging from regulations to technology and to product handling are growing. As such, many are partnering with logistics providers to ease some of these concerns.

Ti’s Cathy Roberson talked with John Menna, director of global strategy for UPS Healthcare Logistics concerning these and other findings from the "2011 Pain in the (Supply) Chain Survey", a survey commissioned by UPS.

Published for several years, this was the first year in which the survey was conducted in not only North America, but also in Europe and Asia. Although not very surprised by the conclusions in the survey, John Menna was very interested in the differences between the regions. For example, in Asia there was more of a focus on global expansion, product handling and intellectual property whereas in North America and Europe regulatory and compliance concerns topped the list.

Not surprising, North America is UPS‘ largest region for healthcare logistics. However, the company has invested in regions throughout the world to meet the needs of its global healthcare customer base. UPS sees significant growth within the next 10-15 years in Asia, especially India and China as various government initiatives take hold. Based on the survey, additional geographic focus for global executives also includes global expansion opportunities in Japan, Brazil and even the US.

Estimated by UPS at about $60bn, the global healthcare logistics industry is faced with several issues including increasing government regulations, compliance, intellectually property, and product handling. 3PLs, regional and global integrators and other niche providers all offer solutions to the industry. However, UPS believes its unique offering sets them apart from the rest of the competition.

UPS closely monitors the global market, particularly as it pertains to any changes in regulations and compliance via its global quality compliance group whose responsibility is to learn, understand and communicate changes in regulations and compliance throughout the world.

Product handling, another concern for global healthcare executives, is one in which UPS has introduced key offerings. The company provides over 4m sq ft of dedicated distribution space throughout the world devoted to the healthcare industry. These multi-client shared facilities are compliant with all healthcare related regulations and IT systems used in each facility have all been healthcare validated.

Many of these important issues will be discussed at the 2nd Healthcare and Life-Sciences Supply Chain Summit in Brussels on Nov 7-8. Complimentary passes are available including hotel accommodation for qualified end-user healthcare, medical devices, pharma and life-sciences execs – further information is available online.

Quelle: eyefortransport
Portal: www.logistik-express.com