Recent events, including COVID-19, demonstrate the need for public and private stakeholders to continue to collaborate on efforts that would support, not supplant, each other. Neither the private sector nor public sector alone possess the full scope of capabilities, infrastructure, funding, nor expertise needed to adequately provide for pandemic preparedness and response in the United States. Instead, supply chain collaboration can highlight the complementary roles of the commercial supply chain and all levels of government. The private sector is scaled to make, source, and distribute medical products to our nation’s healthcare providers across the care continuum. Public partners can provide the planning, funding, and prioritization to create a cohesive response.
Below is information highlighting the role of distribution in preparedness and response, a compilation of industry resources and HIDA leadership initiatives.
Distributor Role In Preparedness And Resilience
Medical product distributors are the essential link between global healthcare supply manufacturers and local care providers. HIDA members operate more than 500+ distribution centers to bring critical products, supplies, and services to more than 560,000 healthcare settings across the U.S., including hospitals, long-term care, physician practices, home care, and laboratories. These critical products such as PPE, needles and syringes, lab testing products, infection prevention products are needed an virtually all public health emergencies.
Collaborate With Federal Partners
HIDA members collaborated directly with federal partners during COVID-19 in a data-sharing initiative known as the Supply Chain Control Tower.
Provide Subject Matter Expertise For Preparedness Planning Tools
HIDA and its members provided subject matter expertise on the following tools that assist providers in planning for emergencies and assessing their supply chains: