The global medical supply chain is flawed and all stakeholders have a hand in these issues, according to the American Medical Association.
In an April 17 post titled "Why it's time to scrutinize global medical supply chain security," an AMA news writer said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted longstanding vulnerabilities in the global supply chain. Policymakers, healthcare organizations, regulators, manufacturers and distributors are responsible for these issues, according to the article.
"Ongoing failures to cultivate public health capacity, nourish sustainable production processes and carefully maintain systemic supply chain resiliency are unjust," the post said.
In AMA Journal of Ethics, recent articles urge the World Health Organization to distinguish between drugs that are "essential" and those "vulnerable" to shortages; what policymakers and prescribers should know about imported medicines; ethical guidelines for providing care during resource constraints; and how critical medicines should be rationed during a shortage.