COVID-19 has impacted the world. From social isolation to the availability of gas, groceries, and medical necessities, we have felt the crunch. As the effects of COVID-19 linger, we must consider how supply chain issues are to be addressed.
Supply shortages in aluminum, computer chips, paper pulp, and other materials create a ripple effect on health care providers, hospitals, and other health care systems.
When people think of medical supplies, they think of the finished product. But, we must understand how supply chains work to know how medical supplies are affected by supply chain disruption.
The supply chain begins when a material is sourced for a product. For example, the needle of a syringe is made from steel. The maker of a syringe requires the materials from a steel plant to obtain the steel. That means steelworkers and the proper equipment are vital. Once the needle for a syringe is made, it goes on to the next step, eventually becoming part of a syringe. From there, the syringe is shipped and received by the medical facility.
COVID-19 placed an undue amount of pressure on medical device makers. The high demand from hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare sources forced makers to try to keep up. But, the makers of supplies like masks couldn’t produce the number of masks needed to protect medical workers.
The lack of needed medical devices or supplies has led doctors, hospitals, and other care systems to do what they’ve never done before: ask their community to donate gently used devices such as crutches.
Effects on Health Care Systems
Health care providers worldwide continue to report shortages in medical supplies and pharmaceuticals. Many of these supplies are hard to find because of a few reasons. Some of these reasons are:
Risk Factors and Challenges for Health Care Supply Chain
The pandemic showed the world structural weaknesses that exist in the health care system. Several medical supplies or pharmaceuticals rely on materials from other parts of the world. Lockdowns increased the scarcity of the materials or items necessary to manufacture vital health care supplies. The lockdowns and decreased access to all aspects of the supply chain led to the realization that health care systems need to change how they operate. Health care practitioners targeted these areas for change.
When the influx of COVID-19 cases began, health care workers found they faced delays or needed to order supplies earlier than usual. As a result, most organizations shifted how they ordered supplies and kept track of their inventory. The result was many organizations increased their stock to weather shortages or disruptions.
Health care providers and hospitals still face supply chain issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to update the medical device and discontinuation list. Throughout COVID-19, the FDA has kept up with the ever-changing medical supply chain disruptions. The administration stays on top of supplies that continue to face shortages and supplies that are no longer in short supply. By publishing a list of supplies that are in short supply or removed from the list, they ensure the public is aware of the state of the medical supply chain.
The Future of the Medical Supply Chain
Previously, manufacturers housed their factories in countries that were inexpensive to manufacture their goods. At the same time, the companies also paid less money to their workers than they would in more expensive countries. COVID-19 has shifted how companies view how and where they manufacture their products. Having their products closer to areas with high demand on their supply outweighs cost-saving measures.
Health care providers and systems are changing how they run their inventory structure.
Health care administrators can’t predict the future of the supply chain. Shortages occurred before COVID-19 affected the global supply of medical supplies. Now, as the world is shifting to a post-pandemic routine, it’s hard to predict how the supply chain will react. There is always the chance that another disease or illness will affect any part of the supply chain. And recent world events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine also disrupt supply chains. As a result, we may face continued supply chain issues as medical systems adjust and adapt to the effects of global events.
Christina Sisti, DPS, MPH, MS is a bioethicist and health care policy advocate. She works to create awareness and improve health care policy for those with long-term health issues.
This publication was supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $160,000 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS or the U.S. government.
The National Paralysis Resource Center website is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $8,700,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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