Title: Using a kanban system for multi-echelon inventory management: the case of pharmaceutical supply chains

Authors: Malak Mouaky; Abdelaziz Berrado; Loubna Benabbou

Addresses: MOAD-SCM Team, Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco ' AMIPS Team, Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco ' MOAD-SCM Team, Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

Abstract: This paper explores the implementation of a kanban system within a multi-echelon pharmaceutical supply chain (MEPSC). The article tackles the multi-echelon supply chain problem and the role of collaboration to enhance its performance specifically while using a pull system. The study provides also insights on the different existing Kanban systems that were created to overcome the difficulties and challenges faced by the original kanban system. This paper presents how a kanban system could manage pharmaceuticals inventory and enhance the information sharing through a multi-echelon supply chain. There are two primary findings: a) that the implementation of Kanban system provides a strategic benefit and improves the quality of services and information sharing through a multi-echelon supply chain; b) It also provides a foundation to leverage innovation in pharmaceutical supply chains; it gives the opportunity to the organisation to move away from the current push delivery and logistics systems towards improved logistics strategy models to empower front-line caregivers.

Keywords: kanban; echelon kanban; inventory management; lean; just-in-time; JIT; pharmaceutical supply chain; multi-echelon supply chain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2019.098333

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2019 Vol.32 No.3/4, pp.496 - 519

Received: 13 Apr 2017
Accepted: 18 Jun 2018

Published online: 14 Mar 2019 *

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