Always Cola, Rarely Essential Medicines: Comparing Medicine and Consumer Product Supply Chains in the Developing World

17 Pages Posted: 10 Aug 2010 Last revised: 16 Nov 2014

Date Written: August 10, 2010

Abstract

The World Health Organization estimates that almost a third of the world’s population still lacks access to essential medicines. The distribution network for medicines is ineffective and inefficient in many developing countries. Discussions often centre on why the medicines supply chain cannot replicate the supply chain for consumer products and beverages. There is little understanding of the similarities and differences between the two supply chains. This article compares these two supply chains in developing countries from a structural and incentive perspective. It illustrates the complexity of medicine supply chains, and highlights the important differences between these and consumer beverage (soft drink) supply chains.

Suggested Citation

Yadav, Prashant and Stapleton, Orla and Van Wassenhove, Luk N., Always Cola, Rarely Essential Medicines: Comparing Medicine and Consumer Product Supply Chains in the Developing World (August 10, 2010). INSEAD Working Paper No. 2011/36/TOM/INSEAD Social Innovation Centre, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656386 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1656386

Prashant Yadav (Contact Author)

INSEAD ( email )

Boulevard de Constance
77 305 Fontainebleau Cedex
France

Harvard Medical School ( email )

25 Shattuck St
Boston, MA 02115
United States

Orla Stapleton

INSEAD ( email )

Boulevard de Constance
77305 Fontainebleau Cedex
France

Luk N. Van Wassenhove

INSEAD ( email )

Boulevard de Constance
77 305 Fontainebleau Cedex
France
(33) (0)1 60 72 42 66 (Phone)
(33) (0)1 60 72 40 49 (Fax)

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