August 2016: IAPHL colleagues discussed the Ebola outbreak and how it affected their supply chains. Specifically, how was the Ebola outbreak different from other supply chain challenges such as HIV and AIDS? For chronic and comparatively unchanging diseases, logisticians can plan and develop a static supply chain, but acute outbreaks like Ebola demand greater flexibility and responsiveness.
Participants provided some links that address the supply chain responsiveness to the Ebola crisis:
Inside Supply Management Magazine: Supply Chains in Crisis
The Pharmaceutical Journal: Medicines supply chain ‘overwhelmed’ by Ebola crisis
The Pharmaceutical Journal: Pharmacy can fight against Ebola
Reviewing the Logistical Response from Ebola