Transportation performance improvement through lean thinking implementation

Purpose The application of lean thinking in the transportation industry provides opportunities to streamline operations with a value-added orientation. Prior literature shows evidence of limited application of lean thinking in the transportation operations of the pharmaceutical industry. This study aims to close this research gap by investigating the application of lean thinking for improving pharmaceutical transportation performance. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted an action research approach at an Indonesian pharmaceutical distribution company. One cycle in one year was analyzed; empirical data were collected and analyzed through direct observations, interviews and the study of company data and documentation. Findings The application of lean thinking in waste elimination allowed the delivered project to achieve a remarkable 40% reduction in overall transportation costs, 75% reduction in total lead time, 200% improvement in truck productivity and 100% improvement in truckload capacity utilization. Practical implications This study can guide the pharmaceutical industry toward achieving excellence in transportation operations through lean thinking implementation. Originality/value There has been limited research on this topic, and this study is the first attempt to generate new and significant evidence of a real-life application of lean thinking within the field of pharmaceutical transportation.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF THE TERRITORIAL PHARMACEUTICAL ECOSYSTEM AS A NEW MARKET MECHANISM IN THE SPHERE OF CIRCULATION OF MEDICINES

One of the established priorities for the development of the retail pharmaceutical market is the digital transformation of classical market mechanisms, in particular, the recent trend is the expanded expansion of ecosystem platforms in retail pharmaceutical activities. The relevance of studies devoted to assessing the applicability of the ecosystem approach for the territorial organizations of productive forces and the market distribution system of the pharmaceutical market is dictated both by the natural processes of the development of the pharmaceutical market and the regulatory specifics of the pharmaceutical sector. The aim of the study was to conceptualize the ecosystem approach to the organization of the pharmaceutical industry at the regional and interregional levels to form the internal potential for the development of the pharmaceutical industry and the distribution network of the pharmaceutical market. The object of the study was a complex of subjects of the pharmaceutical market, for which the architecture of drug distribution was simulated, as well as functional modeling of the processes of pharmaceutical distribution logistics. To assess the integrative and cooperative relationships of the logistics subsystem of a promising territorial pharmaceutical ecosystem, the results of the semantic tree of connections of regional players in the pharmaceutical market were used, as well as the content analysis of shipping documents in the drug supply chains. To assess the applicability of the ecosystem approach in the studied market segment, we have proposed an adaptation of the approach of specialists from Accenture and Kuzmina T.I. and Mandrik N.V., which consists in the industry specialization of the 5p-complex elements for the pharmaceutical market. When testing the proposed methodology, a semantic model of the logistics subsystem of the territorial pharmaceutical ecosystem was obtained, the typology of integrated structures in pharmaceutical logistics of the Ural Federal District (Ural Federal District) was substantiated, 3pl, 4pl, 5pl-operators of the distribution network of the logistics subsystem were determined. The applicability of the ecosystem approach to the modification of the existing structure of logistics channels in the pharmaceutical logistics of the Ural Federal District in the transition from the model of cluster integration in the industrial production of drugs to the ecosystem patient-oriented platform mechanism for the implementation of drug supply has been substantiated.

Design of the Internet plus Drug Circulation Business Model Based on Value Chain

With the continuous development of computers and the Internet, all industries in China have brought new opportunities for change, and pharmaceutical e-commerce has also shown great potential for development. With the call and encouragement of national policies, the “Internet + drug distribution” business model has shown great potential to replace the traditional drug distribution model in the near future due to its advantages of shortening the transaction process and reducing the cost of enterprises. This paper presents a literature review on theories related to “Internet + drug distribution,” value chain and business model at home and abroad, and focuses on how traditional drug distribution enterprises should adopt the “Internet + drug distribution” model when the country is vigorously promoting it. The study focuses on how traditional pharmaceutical distribution companies should innovate their business models from the perspective of value chain to seek better development. By comparing the business models before and after the innovation, the new business model of “Internet + drug distribution” can help enterprises establish diversified value propositions, increase revenue channels, and reduce operating costs. At the same time, it can integrate and innovate the internal and external value chains of enterprises, so that traditional pharmaceutical distribution enterprises can further enhance their competitiveness and expand their market share. This thesis can enrich the application of value chain and business model theories in the field of “Internet + drug distribution,” and it is hoped that the model experience developed in this thesis can be used as a reference for similar enterprises in their transformation process.

The Awareness of Risks Associated with OTC Drugs Available in Non-Pharmacy Outlets among Polish Patients—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Many OTC drugs are available in non-pharmacy outlets, and as such the risk of overuse and/or improper use of this class of drugs is more likely. In light of this observation, our study was conducted with the aim of exploring opinions on non-pharmaceutical distribution among Polish patients. This study was a part of an informative project to educate patients about the possible risks associated with the use of OTC medicines. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Polish patients in which we used an authorial questionnaire, previously tested via content, face validity, and a pilot study. The questionnaire was distributed both electronically and in a traditional form. Results: ‘Time saving’ had a statistically significant role in the patient’s decision about purchasing drugs in a non-pharmacy outlet (p = 0.0052; R = 0.276994). The lack of a pharmacist’s consultation/advice (p = 0.0072; R = −0.3290490), improper storage (p = 0.0044; R = −0.238246), risk of overdose (p = 0.0125; R = −0.189564), and the risk of purchasing out-of-date drugs (p = 0.0125; R = −0.145411), as well as the risk of purchasing falsified drugs (p = 0.0265; R = −0.159428), were all associated with the patient’s non-willingness to purchase drugs in non-pharmacy outlets. Patients supported the idea of the elimination of non-pharmacy outlet distribution (p = 0.0074; R = −0.195932); they also emphasized that they are advocates of purchasing drugs only in community pharmacies (p = 0.0006; R = −0.238625). Conclusion: Patients are aware of the risks associated with buying drugs outside of community pharmacies. They perceived pharmacists as professional health care advisors and supported the fact that OTC drugs should be available only via pharmaceutical distribution.

An Empirical Insight on Effects of Constituent Derivatives of Intellectual Capital on Pharmaceutical Distribution SMEs Performance in KPK - Pakistan

Intellectual capital is related to as well documented knowledge (e.g. drawings, manuals, models, etc.) as intangible resources such as traditions, experiences, conscious knowledge, unconscious knowledge and tacit knowledge. Literature emphasize firms that to get competitive advantages; they must give much focus to their knowledge assets known as intellectual capital (IC). However, the literature gives limited information on relative importance of different key/constituent components/ingredients of IC. Further, published empirical studies results are from the western world while in-depth explorations from the developing world/countries are lacking. Therefore, this study presents key components/ingredients of intellectual capital found in pharmaceutical SMEs in Pakistan. The data was collected from 225 registered distribution pharmaceutical SMEs operating/working in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The empirical analysis showed that human and spiritual capital was regarded to have significantly positive effects and that customer, structural, social and technological capitals showed to have low effects in this industrial sector, which was an astonishing result. Some explanations of that are given in the paper.