Magazine No. 12 Women in the Supply Chain : Without efficient logistics, the most beautiful medical and humanitarian strategies can prove irrelevant. As a woman driven by a career marked by Mauritanian medical heritage and humanitarian emergencies, I discovered my vocation in the shadow of pharmacy shortages and failing supply chains. Making treatments accessible to all—what could be more noble? Between challenges, innovations, and solutions, below is my vision for more efficient and effective medical logistics.

Sun Tzu said: "The line that separates order from disorder is called logistics." General Schill said: “If tactics win battles, logistics win campaigns.” As for General Eisenhower, he declared: "No tactics without logistics. If logistics says no, they're right: the operational plan must be changed; it's bad."

These quotes illustrate an undeniable reality: without effective logistics, even the best medical and humanitarian strategies are doomed to failure. I understood this truth early on, long before I even had a name for the discipline. As a child, I was fascinated by science and medicine. Coming from a family committed to the practice of traditional medicine in Mauritania, I grew up surrounded by natural remedies and ancestral knowledge, which fueled my love for this field.

My father, meanwhile, worked in the humanitarian sector, responding to emergency situations, particularly during health crises. This early immersion in the world of healthcare gave me a passion for medicine and a deep desire to help others. Convinced that my future lay in this field, I naturally chose to continue my studies. However, in 2017, an unexpected surgery forced me to change my plans. I was supposed to go to Senegal to study medicine, but my health forced me to reconsider my direction.

That's when I came across a news article about medical logistics and the pharmaceutical market in Africa. The article highlighted drug shortages and the obstacles to the efficient distribution of healthcare products. It was a shock to me: while healthcare is essential, it must also be accessible!

This is how logistics became my calling. I chose to focus on this discipline and specialize in the pharmaceutical sector, where supply chain optimization is essential to ensuring access to treatments. Today, after four years of experience in medical logistics, I have an even greater appreciation for the importance of this work and the challenges it entails. I wanted to participate in this publication to raise awareness of the challenges facing the medical supply chain and propose solutions for improving it.

This topic is complex and involves many stakeholders: policymakers, healthcare professionals, industry, and researchers. An efficient supply chain has a direct impact on the quality of patient care by ensuring availability, safety, and optimal cost management. However, this sector faces several major challenges:

• Quality: Compliance with standards and regulations is crucial to ensuring the safety of medical products. Counterfeit products, improper storage conditions, or human error can compromise their effectiveness. For example, in 2008, contaminated heparin from China caused the deaths of 81 people in the United States.

• The cost: Price fluctuations, growing demand, and a lack of transparency make medicines inaccessible to some populations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prices for protective equipment and treatments have skyrocketed due to skyrocketing demand, leading to scarce supplies.

• Availability: In France, the number of drug shortages rose from 405 in 2016 to 2400 in 2020, particularly affecting essential treatments such as antibiotics and antiepileptics. Better inventory management and more flexible production are needed to address these issues. But how can the medical supply chain be improved to make it more efficient? Several strategies can be implemented to address these challenges:

• Exploit data and analyses: The use of artificial intelligence and big data makes it possible to anticipate demand, optimize stocks and guarantee product quality.

• Focus on digital technologies: Automation and traceability via RFID tags and GPS tracking improve distribution and flow management.

• Adopt an agile and resilient approach: In the face of health crises and natural disasters, diversification of supply sources and better anticipation of risks are essential.

• Train and empower employees: Investing in training and providing access to best practices can improve efficiency and reduce human error. Beyond current challenges, the future of medical logistics relies on innovation and adaptability.

Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things already make it possible to optimize forecasts and reduce stockouts. 3D printing of drugs and medical equipment could ultimately revolutionize supply by making treatments accessible even in remote areas.

Furthermore, green logistics is becoming a crucial issue: reducing the carbon footprint of medical transportation and packaging is essential in the face of environmental challenges. Finally, strengthened international cooperation is essential to standardize practices and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, particularly during global health crises.

I didn't choose logistics; it chose me. More than a job, it has become a way of life. Making medicines accessible, ensuring their quality, and optimizing their distribution are fundamental challenges that drive me every day. It is by working together, innovating, and anticipating challenges that we can build a more efficient and equitable healthcare system for all.

Selem AOUFA
Healthcare Logistician