How can RPs and Quality managers adapt to the ever more complicated, and convoluted supply chain? The continual need to drive down costs while improving the quality of service and protecting product quality. An ever more volatile and complex market is evolving with new competition joining every day?
A recent study by IBM stated that in order to survive, we need to engage with new technology, become more customer focused and change leadership styles to become more creative. Managers need to reflect on how they work now and where the gaps and weaknesses are their processes for them to be able to survive the challenges ahead. Value based pricing, unique product identifiers, more competition, longer delivery journeys ,new GDP guidelines, delivery of effective customer solutions in the most cost effective manner. In addition in the new world everything is becoming personalised and bespoke. The traditional QMS toolbox may not be the utopia the MHRA think it is for GDP, it may struggle to cope with the fast pace of change affecting the supply chain.
Validation of the supply chain has hit a bit of a stalling point this last few weeks as wholesalers have not been able to be 100 % compliant due to soaring temperatures. These deviations may have resulted in loss of product,reduced service levels and risk to patients . So we need to be planning for the future to deliver the standards required currently and in a few years time no matter the weather.
Change Management takes effort , time , money and has to be qualified and validated. But first and foremost it must be efficient, proactive and reactive. It must embrace our internal , external customers and suppliers, we must learn from each other share best practice and help everyone involved in the supply chain to delivery a quality product on time every time. Most organisations and their quality team are insufficiently prepared for the new market opportunities, challenges and regulatory demands of the next few months.