Key determinants of quality in the pharmaceutical supply chain

Abstract

PurposeEmpirical studies on the supply chain quality management (SCQM) of the pharmaceutical sector are scarce and scattered. This paper investigates a set of key quality determinants in the pharmaceutical sector to offer a holistic quality control framework for its supply chain (SC).Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method design was used. A focused group discussion with seven pharmaceutical SC managers summarized the narratives of the SCQM in this sector and helped to develop a questionnaire. The survey data were collected from the managers of 299 pharmaceutical firms.FindingsThe statistical results show the key determinants are leadership (LS), customer focus (CF), process integration and management (PIM), supplier relations (SR), quality practice (QP), human resource practices (HRP) and safety (SF). Unlike many other sectors, in the pharmaceutical SC, logistics and inventory costs have been proved to be not as important as other measures in the eyes of the SC managers and as part of SCQM performance measures, which can be a result of the priority systems influenced by the World Health Organization standards.Originality/valueThe study is distinctive in its scope as is carried out in a developing country with focus on concept of SCQM with reference to pharmaceutical SC. It shows great potential for further studies and improvements in logistics and warehousing in this sector, for the interest of the pharmaceutical SC managers and regulators who aim to ensure safety and quality in the health-care sector.

Quality Management Practices and Inter-Organizational Project Performance: Moderating Effects of Inter-Organizational Communication, Relationship, and Process Conflicts in Healthcare

“…In Pakistan, Maqsood (2019) investigated total quality management practices with the non-financial performance of Pakistani hospitals and found a significant impact of total quality management practices on their performance. Furthermore, Tayyab et al (2020) also evaluated the effects of QMP on Pharmaceutical companies’ performance in their distribution networks. This means that the focus on assessing the relationship between QMP and IPP in NGOs and their inter-organizational projects within the private and public partnerships is lacking in the healthcare literature.…”

“…Presently, most of the relevant research is focused on the collaboration and integration of different stakeholders involved in inter-organizational projects in other sectors, such as textile and fabric (Shafiq et al, 2019) and manufacturing of healthcare equipment (Sabet et al, 2016). In this vein, Tayyab et al (2020) agreed that while stakeholders had identified quality standards maintenance as a problem, no market had been identified: specific stakeholders who participated would implement QMP to solve the problem. As a result, QMP is critical.…”

“…Organizations must sustain themselves through an effective quality system to solve a problem. Prior behavioral studies in the project management field have also revealed a lack of interdependence between healthcare organizations such as hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing companies, and retailers (Tayyab et al, 2020).…”

“…Pakistan, a developing country, is still struggling to build a good healthcare infrastructure for the public (Tayyab et al, 2020). According to Javed and Liu (2018), the healthcare sector still needs a lot of input and attention from the government for improvement.…”

Modeling the Quality Enablers of Supplier Chain Quality Management

“…Hu and Zhao (2018) identified six critical factors of SCQM: quality of strategic supply chain design, the effect of supply chain leadership on quality, internal quality integration, upstream and downstream quality management systems, and product recall system. Tayyab et al (2022) found seven critical factors of SCQM practice: customer focus, leadership, process management, supplier relations, quality practice, human resources, and safety. There is significant variation in the factors identified in different studies as necessary for different research industries or purposes.…”