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Introduction to Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management

University of Cape Town via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

4 weeks, 2 hours a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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A reliable pharmaceutical supply chain is essential to ensuring that medicines, vaccines, laboratory supplies and other health commodities are available when and where they are needed. Effective supply chain systems help ensure that products are safe, high quality, affordable and delivered to the right patient at the right time. When these systems work well, they support better healthcare delivery and improved patient outcomes. In this course, you will explore the pharmaceutical supply chain from end to end, gaining an understanding of the key processes and decisions that support the movement of healthcare products from suppliers to patients. Topics include the principles of supply chain management, logistics and distribution systems, inventory management and warehousing, quantification and forecasting, procurement and supplier management, logistics management information systems (LMIS), transportation networks, quality assurance, traceability and performance monitoring using key indicators and data. Drawing on real-world examples from African health systems, the course highlights both the practical challenges and the opportunities involved in strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains in diverse and resource-constrained settings. Whether you are a pharmacist, healthcare worker, supply chain professional, policymaker, NGO practitioner, student, or simply interested in strengthening health systems, this course will provide a practical and accessible foundation for understanding how strong pharmaceutical supply chains help ensure reliable access to essential health products.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management and Logistics
- This week introduces the fundamental concepts and terminology of pharmaceutical supply chain management. Learners will explore the purpose and structure of supply chains, the key actors involved and the importance of ensuring medicines reach patients safely and reliably. The module examines the six core processes of supply chain management—Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return and Enable—and introduces the role of logistics within the broader supply chain. By the end of the week, learners will understand how supply chains contribute to medicine availability and public health outcomes, particularly in resource-constrained health systems in Africa.
Week 2: Product Selection, Quantification and Procurement
- This week focuses on how health systems determine which products to supply, how much is needed and how those products are procured. Learners will explore the principles of product selection, including Essential Medicines Lists and Standard Treatment Guidelines. The module introduces quantification as the process of forecasting demand and planning supply, and examines the use of consumption, morbidity, demographic and service data in forecasting. Finally, learners will study procurement strategies, supplier selection, quality assurance and traceability systems that help ensure the availability of safe, effective and affordable health commodities.
Week 3: Logistics Management Information Systems
- Effective supply chains depend on accurate and timely information. This week introduces Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) and their role in supporting supply chain decision-making. Learners will examine how LMIS platforms capture, process and report data related to inventory, consumption, demand and distribution. The module explores different types of data, including dynamic, master and calculated data, and introduces concepts such as stock-keeping units (SKUs), network structures and performance reporting. By the end of the week, learners will understand how information systems improve visibility, planning and coordination across pharmaceutical supply chains.
Week 4: Inventory Management, Warehousing and Distribution
- This week examines the operational activities that ensure medicines are available where and when they are needed. Learners will explore inventory management strategies, including stock status assessment, safety stock, inventory classification and max-min systems. The week also covers good warehousing practices, transportation management and the design of distribution networks. Finally, learners will be introduced to performance management and the use of key performance indicators to measure and improve supply chain effectiveness.