The supply chain risk identification and its mitigation framework : a case of new generic drugs in Thailand

• Main Author: Chatchai Raka
• Other Authors: Jirapan Liangrokapart
• Language: English
• Published: Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center 2023
• Subjects: Generic drugs > Development > Thailand; Decision making > Mathematical models; Pharmaceutical industry > Thailand
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/89813
• Institution: Mahidol University

The supply chain of local drug manufacturing industry in Thailand is one of the complex supply chains and it plays an important role in the overall healthcare expenditure saving. The local drug manufacturers produce generic or me-too drugs for sale in the market at a much lower cost compared to the originals but the industry is facing with numerous obstacles. These obstacles are considered as risks in the new generic drug development process and must be lessened or gotten rid of. Therefore, this research aimed at identifying and prioritizing the risks in the new generic drug development process. A supply chain risk mitigation framework was also suggested as guidelines for drug industry development. The entire new generic drug development process drawn from this study included all stakeholders and their roles in the drug supply chain. It was considered as the first snapshot for the supply chain illustrating the overall process flow and its associated risks. Implications of the study were the guidelines for the local manufacturers to minimize the risks by 3R&1I strategies: Reform the Thai food and drug administration (FDA); Reform the Thai intellectual property department; Reform the government policy and Implement the academic private partnership. The contribution of this research was the combination of the qualitative Grounded Theory (GT) method and the quantitative Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to identify and prioritize the risks as well as suggest the avenues for improvement. The risk mitigation framework was also considered as another contribution of the study. Finally, the ultimate benefit of the study was to enhance the drug supply chain efficiency and lower the overall healthcare cost in Thailand.