Socially responsible pharmaceutical supply chains for equitable access

Equitable access to pharmaceuticals is essential to improve global health and quality of life. Achieving this requires the pharmaceutical industry to optimize its supply chains to balance social responsibility with economic viability and environmental sustainability. However, operating in a global environment presents numerous challenges that complicate the pursuit of these sustainability objectives. To help address these challenges, this work presents a decision support tool (EPA-OM, Equitable Pharma Access Optimization Modeling), based on a novel Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model that can be used to inform decision-makers on how to optimize the design and planning of socially responsible pharmaceutical supply chains (PSC). This model integrates economic viability, environmental impact, and social equity considerations. Economic viability is assessed through the Net Present Value, while environmental impact is evaluated using a life cycle approach. Social responsibility is incorporated by maximizing the availability of medicines in regions with higher disease burden, measured using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Additionally, the model explores demand-to-price elasticity to account for market sensitivity to pricing variations. The goal is to address challenges posed by suppliers and markets in a global PSC by deriving strategies that minimize material supply risks and enhance equity in access to pharmaceuticals between markets. EPA-OM is applied to a meningitis vaccine supply chain case study to demonstrate its applicability. Results show that prioritizing social objectives can be achieved with limited impact on economic or environmental goals. However, focusing primarily on economic or environmental objectives often compromises equity in access, especially in high disease-burden regions. Additionally, strategies such as revising supplier selection based on raw material categories and tailoring pricing strategies to market-specific characteristics can help mitigate disruptions and improve equity in access in critical markets.