SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT chemical manufacturers , contract manufacturers and distributors involved in running supply chains in the healthcare industry and specifically , pharmaceutical manufacturing , were tested during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Wilson – Distributors must act to keep up with demand for obesity drugs
Recent approvals
In 2017 , the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approved Novo Nordisk ’ s Ozempic , containing the API semaglutide , to help diabetes patients control their blood sugar . One of the drug ’ s side effects , rapid weight loss , got everyone ’ s attention .
Consequently , Novo Nordisk obtained FDA approval for a higher dosage of semaglutide in June 2021 . This version was branded as Wegovy , with the indication is that it is specifically prescribed for the treatment of obesity and weight management .
Less than one year later , Eli Lilly gained approval for its Type 2 diabetes drug Mounjaro , which contains the API tirzepatide . Already gaining momentum by being prescribed offlabel for weight loss , Lilly ’ s Surmount-2 global Phase III clinical trial showed dramatic results in the treatment for weight loss .
At the same conference announcing results , analysts confirmed that they expect approval from the FDA specifically as a weight loss agent regardless of diabetes status , pointing out that the agency had already granted the medication fast-track designation for review to treat obesity .
Investors watch as market value for the pack leaders , Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly , grow at a pace surpassing the Standard & Poor ’ s 500 as well as their peers . Obesity is now expected to become one of the largest markets with staggering estimates headed into 2030 . Other players have competing products in their development pipelines .
Keeping up with growth
With potentially more FDA-approved obesity drugs coming on the market , this could lead to more insurer coverage , which would make these drugs more affordable and could lead to even greater demand . There lies the problem for manufacturers . How do their supply chains and partnering supply chains keep up ?
It is important to keep in mind that in the simplest description , pharmaceutical manufacturing is chemical manufacturing . The formulas that will get these blockbusters into the market depend on raw material availability , agile but secure supply chain plans , and expanded operational footprints .
The chemical industry is used to meeting market demands for rapid scale-up . Many of the
Role of distributors
Whether needing to address demands for hand sanitiser or cleaning agents and later shifting chemicals for the demands in manufacturing of critical medicines , chemical distributors understand and are well-equipped for the safe and secure redirection of material for the complicated and delicate manufacturing needs of the pharmaceutical industry .
A distributor ’ s job is to move chemicals and speciality ingredients , in small volumes or at scale , for chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers . Distributors know the industries they serve , the quality and regulatory requirements , and the many different bottleneck areas , and they can support manufacturers going from small volumes during clinical trials to full-scale , commercial production .
Among these is Univar Solutions , which offers reliable supply of excipients , intermediates , APIs and high purity solvents . The company has a global network of pharmaceutical compliant facilities and labs , strategic alliances with brands , and a team of industry experts , enabling pharmaceutical manufacturers to count on it for ingredient distribution needs and proactive ideas that respond to rapid changes in demand . Reliability , planning , and a deep understanding of the demands of the pharmaceutical market are key to keeping these supply chains ahead of the curve . ●
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54 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981