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 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re looking at potential new trade restrictions on China-discovered treatments, fresh clinical data on Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, and Samsung Biologics’ US expansion amid tariff uncertainty.

According to reports, the White House is 

 that would impose strict restrictions on treatments discovered in China. The policy is intended to reduce US reliance on Chinese innovation and bolster domestic biopharma capabilities. If enacted, the order could have sweeping implications for global drug development partnerships, supply chains, and access to innovative therapies. Industry observers are watching closely as the draft takes shape.

 show the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine continues to elicit robust immune responses in high-risk adult populations, including older adults and those with chronic conditions. The findings reaffirm the vaccine’s role in protecting vulnerable groups, even as overall uptake has slowed. Experts emphasize the importance of maintaining vaccination coverage as COVID-19 transitions into an endemic phase with ongoing seasonal risks.

Lastly, in manufacturing news, Samsung Biologics has signed a 

as pharmaceutical companies brace for potential tariff increases. The agreement expands Samsung’s presence in the American market while helping partners secure supply chain stability. With trade and tariff uncertainty looming, such deals highlight how CDMOs are positioning themselves as strategic partners for companies looking to safeguard US market access.

From trade policy shifts to strong vaccine data and global manufacturing strategies, these stories illustrate how politics, science, and economics continue to shape the pharmaceutical industry.

. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit 

Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers reports of a White House executive order to restrict treatments discovered in China, new data showing robust immune responses from Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine in high-risk adults, and Samsung Biologics’ latest US manufacturing deal amid tariff uncertainty.

Pharma Pulse: White House Eyes China Drug Restrictions, Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Data Strong, and Samsung Biologics Secures US Deal

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering Gilead’s latest expansion in R&D, a milestone decision from the World Health Organization on GLP-1s, and new research on flu vaccines and heart health in older adults.

 on a new technical development hub designed to accelerate biopharma innovation. The facility will focus on advancing drug candidates through the technical stages of development, with an emphasis on biologics and complex modalities. The project signals Gilead’s commitment to strengthening its pipeline infrastructure and driving long-term growth in a competitive research landscape.

In a landmark move, the World Health Organization has added GLP-1 receptor agonists to its 

for diabetes. The decision underscores the critical role these therapies play in managing type 2 diabetes worldwide. While affordability and access remain challenges, the inclusion is expected to support broader adoption, encourage generic competition, and potentially shape global health policy around GLP-1 availability.

 has found that high-dose influenza vaccines are linked to a lower risk of myocarditis and pericarditis in older adults, compared with standard-dose formulations. Researchers say the findings reinforce the benefits of high-dose vaccines, which are already recommended for seniors due to their stronger immune response. This adds another layer of evidence supporting their use in reducing both flu-related illness and secondary cardiovascular risks.

From R&D expansion to global policy shifts and improved vaccine outcomes, these stories highlight how pharma innovation and public health priorities continue to align.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers Gilead’s groundbreaking on a new technical development hub to accelerate biopharma innovation, the World Health Organization’s decision to add GLP-1s to its Essential Medicines List for diabetes, and new data showing high-dose influenza vaccines reduce heart risks in older adults.

Pharma Pulse: Gilead Expands R&D Hub, WHO Adds GLP-1s to Essential Medicines List, and High-Dose Flu Vaccine Shows Heart Benefits

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering the latest legal battle over pharmaceutical tariffs, Sanofi’s market setback following Phase III results, and new research on how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped pneumococcal mortality.

 the US Supreme Court to intervene and preserve pharmaceutical tariffs that an appeals court recently struck down. The tariffs were part of broader trade policies aimed at reshoring drug manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports. If upheld, they could have far-reaching implications for supply chains, drug pricing, and the global competitiveness of US pharma. The case is being closely watched as industry leaders weigh potential disruption against incentives for domestic production.

In other news, Sanofi’s stock fell 10% after its experimental immunology drug Amlitelimab failed to meet primary endpoints in a 

l. The therapy had been viewed as a potential blockbuster in treating inflammatory conditions, but the disappointing results cast uncertainty on its future. Analysts say the setback raises questions about Sanofi’s late-stage pipeline strength, though the company maintains it will continue evaluating Amlitelimab in other indications.

 highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered pneumococcal mortality patterns. Researchers found that during the height of the pandemic, deaths tied to pneumococcal disease declined, likely due to widespread masking, social distancing, and reduced transmission of respiratory infections. However, mortality rates have since begun to rebound, underscoring the need for continued vigilance in pneumococcal vaccination and surveillance.

From legal battles over tariffs to trial disappointments and shifting mortality trends, these stories show how policy, science, and public health continue to reshape the pharmaceutical landscape.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers President Trump’s appeal to the Supreme Court to preserve pharma tariffs, Sanofi’s 10% stock drop after Amlitelimab failed in Phase III, and new research showing how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped pneumococcal mortality trends.

Pharma Pulse: Trump Appeals Tariff Ruling, Sanofi Shares Slide on Trial Miss, and COVID-19 Alters Pneumococcal Mortality

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering new research on vaccine protection, Eli Lilly’s pause in UK shipments of Mounjaro, and the FDA’s response to Outlook Therapeutics’ eye drug resubmission.

 shows that the PCV10 pneumococcal vaccine, given to children, provides significant indirect protection to unvaccinated adults. The study highlights reduced transmission and improved community-wide immunity, underscoring the broader public health impact of pediatric vaccination programs. Experts say this strengthens the case for continued investment in childhood immunization as a tool for protecting vulnerable adult populations.

In other news, Eli Lilly has temporarily 

 of Mounjaro in the United Kingdom after a potential 170% price increase drew scrutiny. The move raises concerns about patient access, particularly through the National Health Service, which may struggle with affordability at the new price point. With demand for GLP-1 therapies rising worldwide, the decision reflects the ongoing tension between drug pricing, value, and access in obesity and diabetes care.

Lastly, Outlook Therapeutics has received a 

 from the FDA for its resubmitted biologics license application for Lytenava, an ophthalmic bevacizumab for wet age-related macular degeneration. The agency cited concerns around manufacturing and quality, delaying approval once again. Outlook says it remains committed to addressing FDA’s requirements, but the setback highlights the challenges smaller biotech firms face in bringing ophthalmology biosimilars to market.

From community-wide vaccine benefits to pricing battles in obesity drugs and regulatory hurdles in ophthalmology, these stories highlight the diverse forces shaping today’s pharmaceutical industry.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers new evidence that childhood PCV10 vaccines indirectly protect unvaccinated adults, Eli Lilly’s pause in UK Mounjaro shipments following a major price hike, and the FDA’s Complete Response Letter to Outlook Therapeutics’ resubmission for Lytenava in wet AMD.

Pharma Pulse: Child Vaccines Show Adult Protection, Lilly Pauses Mounjaro Shipments, and FDA Rejects Lytenava Resubmission

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering a high-profile leadership dispute at the CDC, the persistence of drug shortages, and the FDA’s approval of the first generic GLP-1 for weight loss.

 attempts by the White House to remove her as director of the CDC. The move follows political friction over pandemic-era policy and the agency’s future direction. Monarez emphasized that her focus remains on public health and maintaining CDC independence. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between scientific agencies and political leadership during a time of shifting health priorities.

 underscores how long-lasting drug shortages continue to strain US healthcare. Shortages of critical medicines, from injectables to cancer therapies, are being driven by fragile supply chains, limited manufacturing redundancy, and persistent market pressures. Hospitals and pharmacies are increasingly forced to ration supplies or rely on costly alternatives. Experts warn that without systemic reforms, these shortages could worsen, impacting both patient care and costs.

 the first generic version of liraglutide for weight management. The approval is expected to broaden access to GLP-1 therapies at a time of unprecedented demand. While newer GLP-1s dominate headlines, a generic option could offer a more affordable entry point for patients and payers, potentially easing some of the pressure created by rising demand for these drugs.

From CDC leadership battles to systemic supply chain issues and new affordable treatment options, these stories illustrate the complex interplay of politics, economics, and science shaping healthcare today.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers Susan Monarez’s rejection of White House efforts to remove her as CDC director, new analysis on how long-lasting drug shortages expose systemic supply chain weaknesses, and the FDA’s approval of the first generic liraglutide for weight management.

Pharma Pulse: CDC Director Pushback, Persistent Drug Shortages, and FDA Clears First Generic GLP-1 for Weight Loss

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering new steps from the FDA to expand safety transparency, a controversial leadership appointment at the CDC, and Genentech’s latest manufacturing investment in North Carolina.

 of adverse event reports for approved drugs and biologics. This move marks a major expansion of transparency, giving researchers, healthcare providers, and the public quicker access to critical safety data. While the reports do not establish causation, the initiative is designed to strengthen pharmacovigilance and improve trust in the agency’s oversight of drug safety.

 a physician known for his criticism of mRNA vaccines to chair its COVID-19 immunization workgroup. The decision has sparked debate, with some praising the move as an effort to include diverse scientific perspectives, while others worry it could undermine confidence in vaccination programs. The appointment comes at a pivotal time as public health leaders continue to combat vaccine hesitancy and prepare for the next phase of COVID-19 management.

700 million manufacturing facility in North Carolina. The site will focus on producing biologics and next-generation medicines, reinforcing Genentech’s long-term strategy to expand US-based capacity. The investment is also expected to create hundreds of jobs, bolstering the region’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.

From expanded FDA transparency to CDC leadership changes and major biotech investment, these developments highlight the intersection of safety, policy, and infrastructure shaping the pharmaceutical industry.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers the FDA’s new daily adverse event reporting initiative, the CDC’s appointment of an mRNA vaccine critic to lead its COVID-19 immunization workgroup, and Genentech’s $700 million investment in a North Carolina biologics facility.

Pharma Pulse: FDA Boosts Transparency, CDC Appoints mRNA Critic, and Genentech Invests $700M in US Manufacturing

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering FDA safety concerns at a major Novo Nordisk facility, the growing trend of off-label GLP-1 prescribing, and AbbVie’s latest move to expand its psychiatry pipeline.

 contamination and safety lapses at Novo Nordisk’s manufacturing plant in Bloomington, IN. Inspectors found problems with microbial contamination and gaps in quality control processes. While Novo has stated it is working to resolve the issues, the findings raise concerns about potential supply chain disruptions and highlight the importance of stringent manufacturing oversight.

 shows a sharp increase in off-label prescribing of GLP-1 therapies, such as those originally developed for diabetes, now being widely used for weight loss and other conditions. Experts say the trend underscores both the clinical potential and the risks of inequitable access, as high demand strains supply, and insurance coverage remains inconsistent. The findings add urgency to the broader discussion about affordability, fair distribution, and the need for clearer guidelines on GLP-1 use.

 the investigational therapy bretisilocin for major depressive disorder. The move expands AbbVie’s psychiatry pipeline at a time of rising global demand for novel treatments in mental health. With depression affecting millions worldwide and significant unmet need for effective therapies, this acquisition signals AbbVie’s commitment to advancing neuroscience innovation as part of its long-term growth strategy.

From manufacturing oversight to access challenges and pipeline expansion, these stories reflect the pressures and opportunities shaping today’s pharmaceutical industry.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers FDA findings of contamination and safety lapses at Novo’s Bloomington manufacturing plant, the rise of off-label GLP-1 prescribing and its equity challenges, and AbbVie’s acquisition of bretisilocin to advance treatments for major depressive disorder.

Pharma Pulse: Novo Nordisk Plant Faces FDA Scrutiny, Off-Label GLP-1 Use Grows, and AbbVie Expands Psychiatry Pipeline

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering updates on international trade, a US manufacturing investment, and new federal rules shaping electronic health records.

The White House and European Union have agreed on a 

 that includes tariffs on pharmaceuticals and precursors. Per the deal, US imports from the EU will be subject to either the most-favored-nation rate or a 15% duty—whichever is higher. The move is expected to impact generics, APIs, and chemical inputs, with industry leaders warning of potential cost increases that could ripple through global supply chains.

In other news, Johnson & Johnson has announced a 

to expand its pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in North Carolina. The project will add significant capacity for biologics and sterile injectables while creating hundreds of new jobs. J&J says the expansion is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen US-based manufacturing and ensure supply resilience for critical therapies. The investment underscores the growing trend of reshoring pharmaceutical production in response to both policy and supply chain pressures.

Lastly, in health IT, the federal government has issued a 

 requiring electronic prescribing and prior authorization capabilities to be integrated into certified electronic health record systems. The goal is to reduce administrative burdens, improve prescribing accuracy, and streamline prior authorization processes for providers. By embedding these functions directly into EHR platforms, regulators hope to cut down on delays in patient access to medications and reduce friction between payers, prescribers, and pharmacies.

From shifting global trade rules to major domestic investment and regulatory updates in health IT, these stories highlight how policy, infrastructure, and technology continue to reshape the pharmaceutical landscape.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers the White House–EU agreement on pharmaceutical tariffs, Johnson & Johnson’s $2 billion expansion of its North Carolina manufacturing site, and a new federal rule requiring e-prescribing and prior authorization tools in certified EHR systems.

Pharma Pulse: Pharma Tariffs Take Shape, J&J Invests $2 Billion in US Manufacturing, and New EHR Rule Targets Prior Authorization

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re looking at layoffs in gene therapy manufacturing, new technology trends in diabetes care, and research linking childhood COVID-19 to long-term cardiovascular risk.

Catalent has announced plans to lay off 

at its Baltimore gene therapy facility. The decision reflects ongoing restructuring efforts as the company seeks to streamline operations and reduce costs amid shifting demand in advanced therapies. While gene therapy remains a promising field, the layoffs highlight the financial and operational challenges facing CDMOs as they adapt to evolving pipelines and market dynamics.

 shows that the use of technology for glycemic control—including continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps—has increased significantly among patients with type 1 diabetes. These tools have been linked to better blood sugar management and reduced complications, underscoring the growing role of digital health in chronic disease care. Wider adoption, however, still depends on equitable access and payer coverage, especially for younger patients and underserved communities.

Lastly, researchers have found that children who experienced severe COVID-19 infections may face a 

 of cardiovascular problems in adulthood. The study points to potential long-term effects on heart health, raising the importance of continued monitoring for this population. These findings add to the broader discussion on the lasting impacts of COVID-19 and the need for preventive strategies as these children age.

From workforce shifts in manufacturing to technology-enabled diabetes management and emerging long-term risks from childhood COVID-19, these stories illustrate the wide-ranging forces shaping the future of healthcare and pharma.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers Catalent’s decision to cut 350 jobs at its Baltimore gene therapy site, new data showing rising adoption of digital tools for glycemic control in type 1 diabetes, and research linking severe childhood COVID-19 to heightened cardiovascular risk later in life.

Pharma Pulse: Catalent Layoffs, Diabetes Tech Adoption, and Long-Term Heart Risks from Childhood COVID-19

 podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering advances in agile drug manufacturing, a multi-billion-dollar RNA therapy collaboration, and how pharmacists are using telehealth to improve diabetes care in emergencies.

 with HHS and DARPA to push agile drug manufacturing technologies forward. The initiative prioritizes on-demand production of essential medicines, using 3D printing and advanced systems to quickly scale supply during crises. This model could help reduce shortages, strengthen national security, and provide a more resilient pharmaceutical supply chain.

In biotech deal news, Skyhawk Therapeutics and Merck KGaA have struck a 

to develop RNA-targeting small molecules for neurological diseases. The agreement provides Skyhawk with upfront payments and milestones, while Merck gains access to Skyhawk’s splicing platform. With neurology remaining a high-need therapeutic area, this collaboration reflects growing investment in RNA-based approaches beyond oncology.

 shows that pharmacist-led telehealth programs could play a critical role in supporting patients with diabetes, particularly during public health emergencies. By providing medication management, education, and regular monitoring remotely, pharmacists can help reduce gaps in care when in-person visits aren’t possible. Experts say integrating pharmacists more fully into telehealth models could improve outcomes and reduce strain on healthcare systems.

From agile manufacturing and RNA innovation to new models of pharmacy-led care, these stories highlight how technology, partnerships, and expanded provider roles are reshaping pharma and healthcare delivery.

You can catch Pharma Pulse directly on 

This episode of Pharma Pulse explores a Battelle–Aprecia partnership with HHS and DARPA to accelerate on-demand drug manufacturing, a multi-billion-dollar Merck KGaA–Skyhawk collaboration to advance RNA therapies in neurology, and how pharmacist-led telehealth is improving diabetes care during emergencies.

Pharma Pulse: Agile Drug Manufacturing Advances, Merck–Skyhawk RNA Deal, and Telehealth Expands Pharmacists’ Role

The deal will integrate SDS Rx’s specialized delivery network of US locations into DHL’s Life Sciences & Healthcare division, strengthening same-day and final-mile services as demand for specialty pharma and patient-centered logistics continues to rise.

DHL Supply Chain Acquires SDS Rx, Expanding Last-Mile Healthcare Logistics

The South Korean CDMO has signed its second multi-billion-dollar contract in less than a year, even as shifting US trade policies and looming tariffs create challenges for global drugmakers.

Samsung Biologics Secures $1.3B US Manufacturing Deal Amidst Tariff Uncertainty

The move consolidates R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization under the CGM system’s developer to accelerate growth and expand global reach.

Ascensia to Transfer Eversense CGM Commercial Operations to Senseonics

The new 180,000-square-foot facility in Foster City anchors the company’s long-term $32 billion investment in domestic manufacturing and R&D.

Gilead Breaks Ground on Technical Development Hub to Drive US Biopharma Innovation

Following a federal appeals court decision that struck down much of his tariff authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to fast-track review. 

Trump Pushes Supreme Court to Save Tariffs After Appeals Court Ruling Limits Presidential Power

Harnessing Tech to Build Resilient Hospital Supply Chains

Drug shortages continue to create significant financial and operational strain on hospitals, impacting both patient care and workforce efficiency. In a video interview with 

, Boyede Sobitan, global healthcare strategy lead, and Annika Matas,senior director of product management and business operations, supplies and sensors—both with Zebra Technologies—they describe how hospitals are increasingly forced to adapt to these challenges, often in unsustainable ways.

From a patient care perspective, the absence or delay of critical medications forces hospitals into difficult positions. Some have had to borrow drugs from neighboring institutions just to meet immediate needs. This creates not only logistical hurdles but also ethical concerns about equitable access to treatment.

Operational inefficiencies compound the problem. Sobitan noted that hospital staff sometimes misplace or unintentionally withhold highly sought-after drugs, leading to further shortages within the facility. Additionally, issues such as hospital diversions can exacerbate availability challenges, reducing reliability in already stressed systems. These situations underscore the importance of better inventory management and stronger oversight practices.

The impact extends beyond patient-facing concerns. Matas highlighted that nursing staff, whose primary role is to deliver direct patient care, often become entangled in logistical work. Nurses are spending increasing amounts of time tracking down medications, coordinating with pharmacy teams, or delaying procedures until necessary drugs arrive. This redirection of focus not only reduces staff efficiency but also heightens burnout risks in an already overstretched workforce.

Indirect costs quickly add up. Delayed treatments, longer hospital stays, and disruptions in surgical schedules strain financial resources and diminish overall hospital productivity. Ultimately, drug shortages create a ripple effect: patients experience delays in care, frontline staff face increased stress and inefficiencies, and hospital systems bear additional financial burdens.

Addressing these issues requires more robust supply chain solutions, improved communication between pharmacy and clinical teams, and greater systemic efforts to mitigate shortages before they impact patient safety and operational stability.

They also dive into the ways RFID and RTLS technologies can provide real-time visibility into medication inventory for hospital pharmacy teams; factors should hospitals consider when evaluating or implementing these systems to manage their medication inventory; the role these technologies could play in strengthening hospital supply chain resilience against future disruptions; and much more.

What role could these technologies play in strengthening hospital supply chain resilience against future disruptions?

 Coming out of COVID, we don't know where those supply chain disruptions are going to happen. The ability to know [is important]. I can see this expand into more regional opportunity where, let’s say I'm in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health is going to require hospitals to have this so that, when there's an emergency, we know who we need to go to, who has different supplies. 

There's a centralized, more government stakeholder opportunity. Now, this is just me riffing right now. There's nothing that's been stated on paper that I'm aware of at least, of going there, but I definitely think the more this technology is utilized in the way intended, I think that that localization or regionalization of that data, along with having that regional visibility, is going to come become more and more prominent.

Hospitals right now report how many available beds they have, how many ICU beds, how many ventilators they have. It’s logical to then assume that they're going to then require from a state or city level how many IV bags of this you have in case we have an emergency, so we know how we're then routing patients and routing resources for regional disasters.

In the final part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Boyede Sobitan, Zebra Technologies’ global healthcare strategy lead, details how in a post-COVID landscape, technologies that track and regionalize hospital inventory could become critical tools for state and local health departments, ensuring visibility, preparedness, and smarter resource allocation during future disruptions.

Hospitals Weigh ROI of RFID and RTLS for Smarter Medication Management

, Boyede Sobitan, global healthcare strategy lead, and Annika Matas,

senior director of product management and business operations, supplies and sensors—both with Zebra Technologies—they describe how hospitals are increasingly forced to adapt to these challenges, often in unsustainable ways.

What factors should hospitals consider when evaluating or implementing RFID and RTLS technologies to manage their medication inventory?

 The cost and ease of implementation. The average age of plants for a lot of hospital varies across the US. There are some newer hospitals that are going up with newer wings that are able to build RFID and RTLS technology into that system, and then some will have to get retrofitted. 

I think a lot of the analysis goes into the cost of implementation, which has to be weighed against the cost of errors or the cost of lost inventory and other things. Those are the main considerations that I'm primarily hearing [in terms of] implementing this technology.

I think now more than ever is a time where hospitals are considering the real ROI of investment in such technology, as we're experiencing a lot more shrinkage and reimbursements, so eliminating and preventing as much waste as possible; more of the strategic thinking, forward-thinking hospitals are thinking about that. How do I get as much cost and waste out of my system as possible? And those hospitals are the ones that are heavily considering or implementing these solutions.

In the third part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Boyede Sobitan, Zebra Technologies’ global healthcare strategy lead, explains why forward-thinking facilities see these tools as key to cutting errors and improving inventory efficiency.

Transforming Hospital Pharmacy Inventory Management

, Boyede Sobitan, global healthcare strategy lead, and Annika Matas, senior director of product management and business operations, supplies and sensors—both with Zebra Technologies—they describe how hospitals are increasingly forced to adapt to these challenges, often in unsustainable ways.

In what ways can RFID technology provide real-time visibility into medication inventory for hospital pharmacy teams, while reducing medication loss and associated labor costs during shortages?

 We've seen an emergence and growth in something called RFID cabinets. Those are cabinets that are able to keep track of RFID-tagged supplies inside the cabinets, so now you know what is in your inventory and where it is. Of course, at a supply room level, you're just able to take inventory significantly faster than what you would with normal either pen and paper methods or barcode scans, which are individual item level types of activities, so the cabinets can fully automate that visibility.

Even using a handheld RFID scanner in a supply room, you can very quickly take stock of what you have available and what you do not have available. The example that Boyede shared earlier where hospital staff may request medications for a patient, and then they may request different types of supplies and different types of medications, and only part of it ends up getting used, you can also more easily check things out and check them back in using RFID with simple handheld readers—even at the point of care—that say, this is what I ended up using. Then, the rest of this is due to go back in stock.

There’s a significant time savings when you think about RFID compared to a traditional barcode, the speed at which you can track and identify things, versus scanning boxes, scanning files, one at a time or even worse, if you have to write them up in a database with keystrokes.

In the second part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Annika Matas, Zebra Technologies’ senior director of product management and business operations, supplies & sensors, shares that from automated RFID cabinets to handheld scanners, hospitals are streamlining inventory tracking, cutting labor costs, and reducing medication loss, especially critical during drug shortages.

How Drug Shortages Could Disrupt Hospital Operations and Strain Patient Care

How are drug shortages affecting hospitals financially and operationally, and what key factors are driving these impacts?

 There are definitely impacted hospitals from an element of patient care,for sure, having patients wait on different drugs, not having drugs available. We are aware of cases where hospitals are borrowing from other hospitals to have drugs to provide for their patients. 

A lot of this can be handled from an operational standpoint. You have practices whereby a pharmacy tech might necessarily take a drug to a nurse, and a nurse might know that drug is highly sought after, and might forget that she stored it somewhere. We have a lot of instances where we have that, as well as just sometimes hospital diversions, if we're just going to be honest.

: think the side effect that's really important beyond the patient itself is also the extra time and effort that it requires the nursing staff. The staff, whose primary job is patient care, is then diverted to spending time on logistics, on locating supplies, delaying procedures because they're still waiting for medications to come in and become available. There's the direct impact, and then there is the indirect impact on the efficiency and the time that the nursing staff has to spend.

In the first part of their Pharma Commerce video interview, Boyede Sobitan and Annika Matas of Zebra Technologies warn that ongoing medication shortages are forcing staff to borrow supplies, delay procedures, and divert nurses from patient care to logistical tasks, creating both financial pressures and operational inefficiencies.

Balancing Tariffs and Patient Access in Pharma Policy

, Dave Malenfant, a healthcare supply chain expert, discusses the potential impact of a proposed 250% tariff on pharmaceutical imports, emphasizing that the effect depends heavily on where in the supply chain the tariff is applied. If imposed on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the impact would be minimal, as APIs contribute relatively little to the total cost of a finished drug and adjustments could be made through negotiation. However, if applied to finished pharmaceuticals or key components—such as bottle plugs, closures, molded parts, and glass—the cost implications could be significant, since these materials represent a substantial portion of overall manufacturing costs.

Malenfant notes that the US conducts much of its pharmaceutical research and development domestically but often outsources manufacturing to lower-cost countries, only to re-import the products for sale. He questions this practice, arguing that products sold in the US should be manufactured domestically to strengthen the supply chain and reduce dependency on foreign production. He cites examples of non-US companies, such as the world’s largest generic drugmaker, establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States as a step in the right direction.

The interview also addresses duty drawback. a current process allowing companies to recover duties paid on imported pharmaceuticals, which the proposed tariff regulation would reportedly eliminate. Without duty drawback, the financial burden on manufacturers and distributors would increase.

While higher component costs could drive up product expenses, Malenfant believes that companies are unlikely to pass these increases directly to patients. Instead, they may absorb the costs by reducing margins, particularly since US pharma companies already operate with some of the highest profit margins globally. However, the ripple effect would reach insurance companies, prompting complex negotiations between insurers, distributors, and manufacturers to prevent direct cost increases to patients and maintain access to medications.

In the final part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Dave Malenfant, a healthcare supply chain expert, emphasizes that patient access must remain the top priority, even amid steep tariffs, citing cases like orphan drugs and oncology treatments where government flexibility is essential.

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