A simulation optimisation approach for inventory management decision support based on incomplete information

A network flow model for inventory management and distribution of influenza vaccines through a healthcare supply chain

“…Researchers have used a variety of approaches to study inventory replenishment, including optimization techniques [18], [19], [20] and simulation-based deterministic heuristics [21], [22]. Our model belongs to the first group (optimization) and includes the following specific features: 1) the product demand profile is varying in time and based on a consumption pattern for a single-season product; although influenza pandemics recur annually, a product produced in a given year cannot be used in the subsequent season; 2) vaccine shortage costs are taken into account and vary across different population sub-groups as well as over time; 3) the benefits of vaccination and vaccine availability are modeled as constraints.…”