How To Adapt Efficiently To A New Era Of Supply Chain Manufacturing

By Stephen Aiken, Director of Supply Chain Management and Allison Jackson, Procurement Manager at Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the drug manufacturing supply chain was relatively stable and lead times were manageable. However, when COVID-19 hit globally in March of 2020, supply chains across sectors suffered major impediments. Suddenly, vendors were missing shipping and delivery commitments and demonstrating previously unseen inconsistencies. These struggles were caused by the sudden surge in demand brought on by government rated orders, a result of the Defense Production Act invoked to ensure manufacturers prioritized orders dedicated to the production of COVID-19 related vaccines and therapies.

In response to these newfound obstacles, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) and their vendors began to implement necessary risk-mitigation activities, including shifting their focus to multi-sourcing efforts and operating with higher raw material inventory to mitigate delays. Across the entire supply chain – from suppliers to manufacturers to pharmaceutical companies – there is now a greater demand for transparency and collaboration. Though the supply chain continues to change, risk aversion strategies and supply chain mapping are helping to create more robust and resilient networks. Download this article to start exploring the strategies and partnerships that can bolster your manufacturing process and consistently satisfy your timeline goals.