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The Healthcare Distributors and Manufacturers Association (HDMA) recently released a white paper on shortages titled, "Product Availability: Communication Guidelines for Managing Product Shortages in the Healthcare Supply Chain." HSCA President Curtis Rooney is acknowledged as an "external subject matter expert" who contributed to the production of this paper, providing the GPO perspective on this overview of the healthcare supply chain, product supply issues, and current processes that can result in product shortages.
This white paper also "offers guidance on communication strategies for supply chain participants when a shortage is predicted or occurs, and what elements a company may wish to incorporate in its own drug shortage allocation program."
Specific to GPOs, the white paper discusses an overview of GPOs and their role in the supply chain, noting that "nearly $310 billion in pharmaceutical products are manufactured and distributed through a complex, highly coordinated supply system, with manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and other healthcare providers committed to patient safety and access to medicines. Supply chain efficiency has continued to increase in the past decade, with total supply chain inventory decreasing. This has led to measurable benefits, including lower operating costs and less waste."