‘Efficient distribution network vital for pharmaceutical market’

Indunil Hewage

“Medical Detailing, Force Effectiveness and Automation will be the key in exploiting the expanding pharmaceutical market in Sri Lanka, said K. ShivKumar, Managing Director, Eisai Pharmaceuticals India.

Developing excellent Medical Detailing Force, Effectiveness and Automation strategies will help in identifying the right customers by answering key questions like - which markets, which target audience, why and how, how often and with the right message.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Supply Chain International Business, Vice President Himanshu Saxena said, “Supply chain and distribution is the most important aspect of the pharmaceutical business to ensure that drugs are delivered to the end patient quickly and in a safe condition”.

Local pharma industry should implement convenient and implementable technologies designed to manage the supply chain to efficiently maintain adequate stocks and meet ever-changing demand cycles. This would help reduce the pressure on the overall pharma business and ensure that sales are not affected”.

“Even if the manufacturing and production of drugs is done using GMP norms, the products remain unfit for consumption if the safety of the drugs is compromised en route to the end patient.

Also, since pharmaceutical organisations in Sri Lanka are custodians of the products, it is imperative that they ensure an efficient distribution network so that patients can consume quality drugs in time.

Emerging countries like Sri Lanka can draw learnings from new and innovative strategies adopted by countries like India who have passed this stage despite dealing with similar infrastructure challenges.”

According to Sri Lanka Export Development Board sources Sri Lanka is expected to increase the value of the local pharmaceutical manufacture market share from Rs 4 billion to Rs 18 billion within another 4-5 years time.