Despite challenges posed by the coronavirus to global manufacturing and distribution supply chains….
October 30th 2020: The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) lauded all those
involved in the pharmaceutical supply chains for their proactive efforts in ensuring the uninterrupted
supply of medicine throughout the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite challenges posed by the coronavirus to global manufacturing and distribution supply chains, the
Chamber reaffirmed that patients across the island received a consistent delivery of quality medicine. This
was achieved through measures adopted by its members to optimise supply chain efficiency.
Taking place in the backdrop of “National Quality Week” and World Standard’s Day which fell on October
14th, SLCPI noted that pharma-companies had been quick to respond with critical adjustments to business
processes, and complemented by new technological capabilities which resulted in more agile, patient-
centric supply chains, all of which was instrumental in providing uninterrupted services despite disruptions
in logistics and a rising COVID-19 case count.
‘Effective communication’ – a key to our success
With air freight services coming to a near standstill earlier this year, many companies had to formulate
contingency plans to their supply chain for uninterrupted supply of medicines to the market. This required
establishing active communication and clear direction to all staff handling transportation, frontline and
back-end operations.
“Given the massive disruptions to air freight operations with the closure of the international airport, we
had to rapidly switch to sea freight for products with ambient (+15c to +25c) temperature control by
using reefer containers for packing as well as prioritising and blocking airfreights for urgent cold chain
temperature control products. This created other issues, as we had to ensure that medicine was stored
and transported at an optimal temperature within a stipulated timeframe while complying with all
standards and guidelines. This was a real challenge, but we were able to overcome them by leveraging
local agents to ensure that all goods were properly handled based on the shipper’s instructions & cleared
on time,” ‘ Baurs’ Director of Life Sciences, Gehan Seneviratne stated.
Commenting on supply chain challenges closer to home, Sunshine Pharmaceuticals CEO, Shantha Bandara
noted that domestic sales teams also played a pivotal role in ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential
medicines.
“As soon as the lockdown began, our first task was to coordinate with relevant officials to obtain curfew
passes so that our teams were able to continue delivery of medicine uninterrupted. All our sales staff who
worked from home were in constant contact using messaging and conferencing apps to coordinate with
regional customers and private hospitals. This ensured that deliveries were placed for at least one town
per week during the lockdown period. Protocols were also set in place for seamless communication
between our sales representatives and distribution staff which promoted cross-functional collaboration.”
SLCPI Vice President and Executive Director of George Steuart Health Sanjiva Wijesekera noted that the
support of the government and relevant stakeholders was also essential for the smooth functioning of the
supply chain.
“As soon as the lockdown was announced, the SLCPI membership were in constant contact with the
Ministry of Health (MoH), National Medical Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Import Control and Customs
to ensure that even from the side of authorities, no critical shipments would face any issues when it comes
to clearance of goods.”
Following discussions with authorities earlier this year, NMRA decided to extend the validity period of
certificates of registration and import licenses for Medicines, Medical Devices, Borderline Products and
Cosmetic licenses up to the 30th of June 2021, considering the prevailing situation in the country. The
same was also implemented for licenses pertaining to retail pharmacy, wholesale and transport for
therapeutic goods.
“Everyone involved in the supply chain of pharma-products adhered to protocols set out by the MoH
when transporting goods. We had to make sure employee safety was ensured. As a result, we
implemented new protocols from disinfecting every delivery vehicle to minimising the number of staff
involved in the process,” Wijesekera added.
Technological advancements – A game-changer
Pivotal to the seamless supply chain process during the pandemic was the adoption of digital tools to
create a more agile and flexible logistics model.
“Due to the impact of a country-wide lockdown, our operations embraced agility and flexibility. We
integrated our systems with ‘Robotic process Automations’ (RPA) which is a technology that allows
anyone to configure computer software, or a “robot” to operate digital systems. For example, all our
invoicing data was fed through our sales force system connected to the RPA. This system was also
connected to our warehouse and distribution centres to minimise human interaction in supply chain
processes,” Sunshine Pharmaceuticals Shantha Bandara explained.
Similarly, Hemas Pharmaceuticals introduced new app-based programmes for its staff and customers,
allowing secure, real-time communication during the lockdown.
“Using this app, we were able to connect customers with our showroom outlets while also linking sales
staff with pharmacies, ensuring timely delivery of critical products. This in turn, helped the pharmacies to
make deliveries without a shortfall or a lapse in the much needed medicines. The system also assisted in
collating valuable information for stock management and distribution. We are glad that the agility and
speed to bring about this system contributed much to the government attempts at ensuring the availability
of key drugs with utmost safety,” said Hemas Pharmaceuticals, Managing Director Jude Fernando.
Throughout this process, the priority was given to patients’ with NCDs’ and essential medicine. Together
with optimisation of stock monitoring and distribution, this resulted in a supply chain that was significantly
more patient-centric – a feature which SLCPI noted would increasingly become part of the ‘new normal’.
In that context, SLCPI commended members for ensuring continuous communication with its principals
abroad to bring down essential medicines. There was also a spike in online pharmacies introduced by
companies to make sure patients can obtain their medication through home delivery during the curfew.
“As soon as the lockdown was announced, we placed insulin orders as soon as possible, to avoid any
shortage in our inventory. We also established, an ‘Insulin Helpline’ so that customers were able to obtain
information on the nearest pharmacy with insulin stock. We were also in continuous contact with our principals to import other essential medicines like metformin, Atorvastatin and Losartan Potassium,”
Bandara added.
SLCPI, further noted that in several instances, the industry took drastic measures in order to adapt to
demand for e-pharmaceuticals and home deliveries.
“At Baurs’, we transformed our showroom to a fully-fledged pharmacy to place orders online and to
deliver essential medicines within a radius of 10-30 kilometres, which was a first for us,” remarked
Seneviratne.
Hemas Pharmaceuticals in the meantime worked in close collaboration with the Health Ministry via SLCPI
to ensure that pharmacies were designated as essential services and were able to open up for business
following all public health and safety regulations within the first four weeks of the lockdown.
“This was an unprecedented time, and I’m proud to say that our people went above and beyond to ensure
that medicine was always delivered into the hands of those who needed it most. Our own sales staff
following all the safety protocols and guidelines did over 3,000 deliveries voluntarily to ensure lifesaving
drugs reached the patients and doctors,” Hemas Pharmaceuticals Managing Director, Jude Fernando noted.
Rise in COVID-19 cases; we are prepared.
With COVID-19 cases once again on the rise, the SLCPI reiterated the total commitment of its
membership to consolidate on those major improvements, while drawing on lessons learned during the
first COVID lockdown to ensure that the industry would continue to ensure uninterrupted supply of
medicine in the challenging weeks ahead.
“The first lockdown was certainly one of the most challenging periods for all Sri Lankans, and our industry
too had to contend with novel difficulties. The steps that were taken in that time are quickly becoming
part of the ‘new normal’ for all our members, and we wish to clearly emphasise to the public that despite
the current situation, there will be no shortage in the availability of essential drugs in Sri Lanka.
“We will continue to work in collaboration with healthcare providers across the country, and in total
alignment with Government officials to ensure that all of Sri Lanka’s medical needs are fulfilled. We also
urge the public to continue to abide by all directives laid down by the government, so that our nation can
beat this pandemic, and emerge stronger, and healthier than before,” SLCPI Vice President Sanjiva
Wijesekera assured.
About SLCPI:
SLCPI serves as the representative of over 60 members who account for more than 80% of the private
pharmaceutical industry, spanning manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers. These
stakeholders supply Sri Lankan patients with 800 molecules from 364 manufacturers from across the
world.