http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Health_systems_and_services/Strengthening_health_cares_supply_chain_A_five_step_plan?cid=other-eml-alt-mip-mck-oth-1309

Strengthening health care's supply chain: A five-step plan

The manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices is becoming increasingly complex. Companies are expanding their product portfolios to meet rapidly changing markets and lengthening product life cycles. Emerging economies want more affordable products. Quality and compliance issues are rising because products are more complex and regulatory scrutiny is stricter. And the number of drug recalls is increasing. Yet the supply chain remains fragmented and incomplete, with weaknesses that put patients at risk, cost billions in value, and lessen the health-care sector's ability to take on the challenges it faces. (For more, see our video interview with McKinsey director Katy George on how improving the health-care supply chain will benefit companies across the industry.)