Pharma Supply Chain and Globalization in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review

Philippe Gorry

Chapter 9 in Flattening the Curve:COVID-19 & Grand Challenges for Global Health, Innovation, and Economy, 2023, pp 237-265 from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract: With the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the globe discovered the vulnerability of the pharma supply chains (PSCs). In this review, we describe the nature of disruptions that occurred and the political debates. Then, we examine some features of the demand in pharmaceuticals: the evolution of the health market, drug supply shortages, and the access to essential medicines. After some reminders about the organization of the pharmaceutical industry and drug manufacturing, we analyze the characteristics of the supply of pharmaceuticals and the trends of the pharma globalization value chain (GVC). Finally, we discuss policy proposals to circumvent the disruption of PSCs in times of crisis, including stockpiling, improving the resilience of the PSCs, protecting the industrial commons, and relocating manufacturing plants. In conclusion, we draw a research agenda for economists and a political agenda for governments.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Health Economics; Innovation; Economic Development; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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