Aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and an unstable geopolitical landscape make this a challenging time for maintaining pharmaceutical supply chain resilience and risk management. At Grünenthal, we have embraced this challenge by adopting a long-term strategic approach that future-proofs the continuous supply of our medicines. In this way, we aim to make certain that patients have access to the medicines they need, when they need them most. This cements our position as a trusted and reliable partner.

This year, we made significant progress with our end-to-end supplier risk resilience programme. This breakthrough project gives us greater understanding and insight into the variables and potential vulnerabilities that affect the supply chain for our medicines. It brings together all of the data we collect and analyse, including information about our suppliers’ financial stability, as well as data related to the geopolitical and socio-economic environment. It also includes data covering the supply and quality performance of our suppliers.

This combination of detailed data with proactive GO teams, robust supplier relations approaches and agile working enables us to more accurately forecast emerging and future risks. We then evaluate their likelihood and business impact, so that we can mitigate risks by acting quickly to take targeted action—before any negative impact on the supply of our medicines.

Wherever possible, we further strengthen our supply resilience via dual sourcing or in-house development across the entire drug development process. Our strong commercial assessments of demand also help to ensure that we have the right inventories, lead times and distribution strategies to meet patient needs and reliably deliver medicines to every corner of the world.

Our comprehensive strategy for long-term supply chain resilience and risk management has given Grünenthal a supply network that is designed to withstand disruptions and outperform in volatile conditions—to provide safe, reliable access to medicines for patients across the globe.

Examples include:

• Securing the continuity of Zolmitriptan for migraines through collaboration with our current Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) supplier, while simultaneously identifying an additional high-quality supplier.
• Establishing a strong dual supplier strategy for Nebido testosterone replacement therapy by balancing supply security with cost management.
• Expanding supply for paracetamol, general chemicals and packaging to safeguard the future supply in anticipation of potential issues, while also minimising costs.