Underlying Global Challenge In The Healthcare Sector

Post the rigorous waves of the pandemic, the spotlight on the healthcare sector has been more paramount than ever. The demand and urgency for safe, secure, quality, and quick-paced medical services is on the rise. The question is, is the global healthcare sector provisioned enough to meet the growing demands? Let us do a quick fact-check. In the current scenario, an alarming number of 1.8 billion people live under poor and low-quality healthcare services, facing a mortality rate of about 6 million every year. Surprisingly, about 2 million deaths are caused by counterfeit or expired medication alone. Modern healthcare takes a dangerous hit as falsified and substandard medical products are on a continued surge, causing serious health deteriorations and deaths around the world. Moreover, across different countries 1 – 30% of the medicines on sale are counterfeit.

Why Is Serialization A Critical Affair For The Healthcare/ Pharma Industry?

Consequently, healthcare professionals around the globe are going the extra mile in pursuing smart and secure digital solutions to empower themselves and safeguard public health. Over the past decade, many countries have successfully developed and implemented Pharmaceutical Serialization to combat the circulation of counterfeit drugs and other medical products. This traceability system helps trace and track medical supplies from manufacturer to consumer, using the unique GS1 standard serialized barcodes.

Mandatory Track & Trace In The United Arab Emirates

Leveraging advanced technological solutions, the UAE, in 2021 launched the Tatmeen project, its first track-and-trace digital solution for serialized pharmaceutical products, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, with an aim to safeguard the country’s healthcare supply chains. This innovative solution, besides tracing and combating falsified and unauthorized drugs, also enables real-time tracking and visibility of products across the supply chain by merely scanning a bar code. This boosts the trust and authenticity of supplies among consumers. It also helps in forecasting demand and shortages to ensure timely supply. The most reflective advantage is that the stakeholders can control and access the entire supply chain from a central command center. This accomplishment positions the UAE as one among the pioneering nations in healthcare innovation.

How Does It Impact Pharma & Healthcare Companies In The UAE?

Companies in the UAE need to follow a mandate roadmap for implementing pharmaceutical serialization. The process commences with the issuance of a serialization decree or an official order, 6 months after which a Master Data is created that generates for a product a single point of reference (could be an item number or location identification number). This is accompanied by the affixation of barcodes to secondary packaging. Further ahead, at the deadline of 18 months, the serialization or serial number reporting takes place, along with a registration procedure to get GS1 GLNs or Global Location Numbers.

Perfect Solution Encapsulated Inside Microsoft Dynamics 365

An end-to-end paperless track and trace system is a massive achievement for any country or organization. It demands a robust and advanced digital solution for its effective management. This traceability system falls perfectly in line with the digitalized automated omnichannel operations offered by Microsoft Dynamics 365. This ERP solution can revolutionize the future of healthcare with seamless integrations embedded into the functioning of an enterprise. It enables real-time access to inventory, logistics, reports, product information, and accelerated deliveries, from the cloud, and ensures secure mobility from one node to another.

Advantages To Be Leveraged By Microsoft Dynamics 365

Studies reveal that by 2023, 90% of the drugs will be scrutinized under serialization. However, challenges will keep surfacing in the form of newer channels for the passage of counterfeit products. For the efficient functioning of the supply chain, loopholes need to be identified and sealed. Resilient and sustainable software solutions like Dynamics 365 ensure product integrity and smooth navigation through the operational chain. Advanced analytics and AI insights offered by Dynamics 365 help cut down both the workforce and the cost of implementation. Furthermore, D365 serves a personalized interface and experience, making the entire system flexible for individual users.

Today, with the world dealing with unhealthy lifestyles, vulnerable bodies, and challenging immune systems, the healthcare sector inevitably warrants the best and state-of-the-art solutions to sail through. The best results call for the best choices.