DefinePK

Abstract

This article presents a narrative review of some challenges and strategies associated with the healthcare supply chain in the USA. The healthcare supply chain, which includes manufacturers, distributors, providers, and patients plays a critical role in ensuring cost-effective and timely delivery of medical products and services. However, access to these resources is hindered by some significant disparities, impacting health outcomes, and complicating existing inequities. Some key barriers to equitable healthcare supply chain access include geographical disparities between rural and urban areas, socioeconomic factors such as income inequality, racial and ethnic disparities, technological gaps, and regulatory challenges. This review also explores strategies for improving equity, including strategies for improving equity such as policy interventions, technological solutions, community-based approaches, supply chain optimization, and workforce development. By analyzing case studies of successful implementations and lessons learned from challenges, this review aims to inform policy, practice, and future research in healthcare supply chain management and health equity. The paper also highlights the relevance of this topic pointing to the current healthcare reforms and increased focus on health inequality. Finally, it stresses the potential impact of solving these challenges by adopting policy interventions, technological innovations, community engagement, and systemic changes in healthcare delivery and supply chain management.
Keywords: Supply Chain, Health Equity, Risk Management, Healthcare.