RESILIENCE IN PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAIN DURING PANDEMICS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: The pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) plays a vital role in maintaining the continuity of healthcare systems. Disruptions in any segment of this chain, particularly during global crises such as pandemics, can lead to severe shortages of essential medical products, adversely affecting patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical vulnerabilities within pharmaceutical logistics, highlighting the urgent need for resilience in supply chain operations to withstand and recover from such large-scale disruptions.

Objective: To review and synthesize existing literature on the obstacles faced by pharmaceutical supply chains during pandemics and evaluate strategies that enhance resilience and operational continuity in crisis settings.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted using studies published from 2019 onward, sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Articles were included if they addressed pharmaceutical supply chain disruptions during pandemics and proposed or evaluated resilience strategies such as digitalization, diversification of suppliers, and agile procurement frameworks. Data from 11 selected studies were extracted and thematically analyzed for methodology, key findings, and practical implications.

Results: Out of 11 studies, 7 employed qualitative methods, while 4 used mixed or quantitative approaches. Across these, 82% reported a positive correlation between digital maturity and faster recovery from disruptions. Approximately 73% emphasized the need for supplier diversification, while 64% demonstrated that predictive analytics, including AI tools, significantly enhanced risk identification and inventory management. Public-private partnerships, flexible manufacturing systems, and proactive stockpiling were also identified as major contributors to improved resilience.

Conclusion: Pharmaceutical supply chain resilience is essential for safeguarding health systems during pandemics. Adoption of digital technologies, risk forecasting, supplier diversification, and strategic planning are key enablers of continuity. These findings support the formulation of adaptive, technology-driven policies to minimize disruption impacts in future crises.