Enhancing Healthcare Supply Chain: Insights from Our Latest Podcast Episode
In our recent podcast episode, SCAN Health had the pleasure of speaking with Jay Myers, CEO of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen). Jay shared his invaluable insights on the complexities and potential opportunities for resilient solutions for healthcare supply chains in Canada and beyond.
Building Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
Jay Myers introduced us to the impressive work NGen is advancing in manufacturing and supply chain. He stated, "We're focusing on building world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities here in Canada for the benefit of Canadians." This endeavor has been crucial, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. NGen's support has enabled the development and commercialization of new health products and technologies, which hold the potential for saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes across the country.
A Non-Linear Journey into Healthcare Supply Chain
Jay's path into the healthcare supply chain world was far from linear. He described it as "like jumping off a diving board"—unexpected but vital. NGen's involvement began in 2018 with a project supporting the development of new therapeutics through stem cell technologies. The pandemic accelerated the demands for engagement with NGen, rapidly advancing the demand for support to companies pivoting their manufacturing capabilities to produce personal protective equipment (PPE), test kits, and other critical supplies needed during the pandemic. Jay emphasized, "We learned along the way, but certainly found incredible capabilities within Canadian companies to adapt and innovate."
Insights into Global Healthcare Supply Chains
Discussing the global landscape, Jay noted, "Canadian healthcare supply chains are among the least organized I've seen." The pandemic highlighted the lack of coordination and limited visibility into which companies have the capacity to produce critical products within Canada. He stressed the need for better understanding and coordination of supply chain needs and demands to prevent future shortages and ensure a reliable supply of essential health products.
Improving Transparency and Visibility
One of the key challenges discussed was improving transparency and visibility in the healthcare supply chain. Jay shared, "We've developed an AI capabilities finder that can quickly provide detailed information about Canadian companies' products, services, and capabilities." This tool aims to bridge the gap between suppliers of products and procurement teams seeking health products to ensure that health system teams and decision-makers know where to source critical products swiftly and efficiently.
Business and Sustainability Balance
We also delved into the balance between business viability and sustainability. Jay highlighted that procurement standards must include environmental and sustainability criteria, stating, "We have amazing companies integrating sustainability into product design and full life cycle treatment of products." He emphasized that for Canada to maintain a competitive edge by advancing growth of Canadian companies, sustainability must be built into procurement processes, ensuring products meet both quality and environmental standards.
Overcoming Procurement Challenges
Jay candidly discussed the procurement challenges faced during the pandemic. He revealed, "Decision-makers at all levels were scrambling to figure out who could provide critical products." This chaos underscored the need for a more transparent and streamlined procurement processes with visibility of manufacturing capacity across the country. He advocated for better communication and understanding between manufacturers and procurement teams to establish sustainable, reliable and sustainable production lines for critical products.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, Jay remains optimistic about the potential for improvement. He praised initiatives like Scan Health, saying, "This is all about coordinating and increasing visibility of capabilities across Canada." By fostering collaboration and leveraging technology, we can create a more resilient and efficient healthcare supply chain for Canada’s health systems.
Our conversation with Jay Myers highlighted the pressing need for better coordination, transparency, and sustainability in healthcare supply chains. As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic world, these insights are invaluable for building a robust and responsive healthcare system able to deliver care when and where it is needed by Canadians. Stay tuned for more discussions on the Scan Health podcast, where we explore the innovations shaping the future of healthcare.