THE SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION PROGRAM

The Supply Chain Innovation demonstration program will address the innovation access needs of SMEs in supply chains that support large manufacturing operations. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have been selected as the initial MITA focus as it is a major export industry and the subject of the Pharmaceutical Industry Action Agenda. A representative group of pharmaceutical manufacturers have committed their support to this program. The three projects selected for this activity of the MITA projects are as follows.

1. Adapting to "Tamperproof" technology has become necessary for the industry after widespread concerns over apparent breaches of packaging in transit or on-shelf. Since the introduction of this type of packaging the effects on suppliers and distributors has not been fully integrated and industry has indicated that they would support a project that involves the full supply chain in making sure that all the implication of the technology are understood and imbedded in supply systems.

2. Adapting to reduced material use - blister packs, which are an increasingly common form of pharmaceutical packaging. As the costs of materials increase, particularly the aluminium foils, the industry has been continuing trials on how to reduce the overall size of blister packs without compromising the safety and quality of individual items. To date the supply chain has not been fully involved in these changes that are likely to require changes to tooling and other technologies that need to be communicated throughout the industry supply chain. A group of pharmaceutical manufacturers have committed their support to this project.

3. Adapting to tightened regulatory requirements is now becoming a necessity for all parts of the pharmaceutical supply chain after tightening of the regulatory regime for the pharmaceutical industry. For reasons similar to those described above, the supply chain now needs to access the technology involved in these changes and other technologies that need to be communicated throughout the industry supply chain. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have committed their support to this project.