Envisioning the Future of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
A new report out this week from the Milken Institute’s Center for Public Health emphasizes how a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain bolsters a strong public health infrastructure in the U.S. The report, “Envisioning the Future of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain to Advance Public Health in the United States,” brings a greater 
focus and awareness into supply chain collaboration to create an enhanced public health environment that is equitable, sustainable and resilient.
Through our collaboration with the Milken Institute, HDA, along with diverse thought leaders and experts representing a range of academia, public health and community organizations, provided expertise to inform the report. With the COVID-19 public health emergency set to end on May 11 and the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) fast approaching, these findings and recommendations come at a critical juncture in the broader conversation on future national preparedness during public health emergencies, natural disasters and other crises.
A Critical Opportunity To Strengthen Our Public Health Infrastructure
COVID-19 fundamentally altered the nation’s understanding of public health emergency preparedness and response. As we look to future threats, it will be critically important to apply the lessons learned in recent years to business practices, supply chain operations and public policy.
There has been encouraging progress on the policy front in recent months, and HDA applauds the bipartisan effort to strengthen the country’s emergency preparation and response capabilities with the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats and Pandemics Act (PREVENT) Act.
Advancing Solutions To Build a More Resilient Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
The Milken Institute’s report advances these efforts by exploring persistent challenges to the safety and security of the pharmaceutical supply chain, while providing case studies and identifying recommendations around three core themes:
- Enhancing health equity by engaging with communities that have been historically marginalized and identifying sustainable solutions to structural barriers limiting healthcare access;
- Establishing trust and communication by instilling consistent and accurate information across the pharmaceutical supply chain and engaging trusted messengers to support the health and wellbeing of the communities the supply chain serves; and,
- Leveraging public-private partnerships to promote policies, systems and environments that protect and advance the health of people in all communities.
Now is the time to build on this collaboration, which will require everyone in the public and private sectors to maintain an open dialogue and work together to advance solutions that ensure our nation’s healthcare system is resilient, equitable, secure and sustainable.
To read the full report, click here. Additionally, visit HDA’s website to learn about the distribution industry’s policy approach to supply chain preparedness, resilience and response and health equity issues.