Healthcare Magazine September 2020 | Page 79

BCG concurs with this position in ‘ Critical Priorities for Pharma and Medtech in Response to COVID-19 ’: companies must build on their initial success at handling disruption by introducing more technologically-based processes . “ While many pharma and medtech supply chains have been able to largely meet demand , it is critical that companies activate sophisticated analytics and scenario modelling to fully understand their supply chains and identify the top products facing potential supply issues ,” says the article . This can be achieved by focused investment on artificial intelligence ( AI ) or machine learning ( ML ) data analytics software to underpin a manufacturing network strategy . As such , companies will gain a more fully-rounded perspective on inventory levels , be able to ramp up production at alternative sources to keep the supply flowing and grant themselves a longer timeline in which to find additional producers of critical materials and gain regulatory approvals .
The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association ( CGPA ), observing how demand could
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