Ensuring continuous supply of medicines in exceptional circumstances

The heatwaves in Hungary have led to an increasing number of code reds, which are a warning not only to the social care system, but to the public as well, to do more than usual to protect health. Heatwaves are also a major challenge for companies and institutions involved in the supply of medicines, as they need to ensure a constant supply of medicines so, that everyone has access to the medicines they need, in all circumstances, on time and in the right quality.

Medicines are supplied from domestic or foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers to pharmacies or hospitals through pharmaceutical wholesalers. There is well-planned cooperation between the players, supported by advanced IT and logistical tools: pharmacies send their requests several times a day to wholesalers, who immediately start to put together the order. A contracted wholesaler can make 2-3 deliveries a day to a pharmacy – it is worth compare this figure with 1-2 deliveries a month in the 1980s. Hospital requests also come to wholesalers, often for specialty medicines to be delivered urgently to a hospital.

"The information on where, when and how much medicines are used in the different parts of the country comes together at pharmaceutical wholesalers," said Dr Antal Feller, President of the Hungarian Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers. “Aligning demand and production - close cooperation between wholesalers and pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies and hospitals - is essential for security of medicines supply. The logistical task is illustrated by a few key figures: wholesalers in Hungary cover a total of around 100 000 km per day with their delivery vehicles. There are nearly 17 500 different medicines and other healthcare products on the market, and around 350 million boxes of medicines will be delivered from wholesalers' warehouses every year."

The logistics of pharmaceuticals normally require a great deal of effort from the actors, but there are exceptional circumstances that require extra effort, such as a disruption in the international supply chain, a change in the storage rules for a particular medicine, or a heatwave. The storage temperature of medicines is essential for the quality of the medicine and the relevant rules must be fully respected throughout the whole logistics process. Most medicines can be stored at room temperature (typically 15-20 °C) or refrigerated (usually 2-8 °C).

This should be ensured during storage and transport, and overheating should be avoided, as should freezing in winter. Of course, there are also medicines that require extremely low storage temperatures, when you even have to plan how many minutes it will take to transfer the stock from the delivery vehicle to the cold storage area of the warehouse. Ensuring storage conditions in pharmacies and hospitals is equally critical.

“Pharmaceutical wholesalers are unavoidable players in getting medicines and other healthcare products to the end user. They provide pharmacies with a dynamic, but also stable and reliable environment that helps them to avoid overstock and to allow for optimized stocking based on current needs and trends. The quality of the medicines received through wholesalers is guaranteed to comply with the requirements - which takes the burden off pharmacies’ shoulders that could be caused by selling substandard products that might cause health-related harm and other issues” shared her experience Dr Tímea Janča, pharmacy manager.

The activities of pharmaceutical wholesalers require extensive and modern equipment.  "The development is continuous - digitalisation is a case in point, and there is huge scope for this in our area too. Pharmacies have a role to play, but as a bridge between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies and hospitals, wholesalers' systems need to be properly integrated with those of manufacturers and retailers. The whole supply chain, with all its players, is a unique system that serves the interests of people who need medicines, to ever higher standards." said Dr Antal Feller. "Our coordinated operation is also the guarantee that no counterfeit medicine has so far reached the end users through the closed distribution channel."

Hungarian Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers

The aim of the Hungarian Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers is to ensure the safe and economical supply of medicines in Hungary, so that patients can get their medicines, where and when they need them.

The Association represents the interests of the full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers to decision-makers in shaping the operational and regulatory conditions of the pharmaceutical wholesale sector. To this end, in addition to its member organisations, it cooperates with the competent regulatory authorities, associations and organisations operating in the field of pharmacy, as well as with the European Healthcare Distribution Association (GIRP).

The pharmaceutical wholesale sector is a key player in the supply of pharmaceuticals because it is a vital link between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies and hospitals. Pharmaceutical wholesalers ensure the availability of the complete range of medicines in sufficient quantities and in accordance with strict professional standards, and the safe and continuous medicine supply to pharmacies and hospitals.

Web: https://www.gynsz.hu/

More information:
Ilona Mészáros
+36 20 252 5298
ilona.meszaros@momentumcomms.hu