CIHR COVID-19 Rapid Research Response

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted significant supply chain challenges as provincial health systems struggle to manage its impact and spread. In order for health services and public health to meet the unprecedented demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain and logistics infrastructure assume a critical role in ensuring health teams and essential workers have the products and equipment needed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through prevention efforts to contain spread, and to achieve optimal outcomes for those who become infected.

Leading a team of 18 researchers from across Canada, Dr. Snowdon’s research will focus on ways to ensure health teams have high quality products that are available when needed. It will study the processes involved in the procurement and distribution of health products in seven provinces, to improve planning and co-ordination across provincial, federal, and global health systems for effective pandemic management.

By transforming the supply chain infrastructure in to a strategic asset, health systems can ensure products and equipment are available when and where needed to effectively manage a pandemic and protect its citizens.