The LogiPharma Podcast: Summing up episode 2 with Marc Evrard from CSL Vifor

In episode two of The LogiPharma Podcast, hosts Megan and Lucas were joined by Marc Evrard.

With more than a decade of experience in the supply chain, Marc currently heads up the logistics quality department at pharmaceutical giant CSL Vifor.

In this candid interview, Marc told us about his own career and provided valuable insights into drug shortages, supply chain management and sustainability.

Here, we sum up some of the highlights from this candid chat. But to listen to the episode in full and hear Marc brilliantly debunk an industry myth, you will need to head over to Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Marc's expertise makes him perfectly qualified to tackle the complex issue of drug shortages. "Drug shortages are of critical concern", he told The LogiPharma Podcast.

"Not all segments of the industry are affected equally and companies like ours are relatively less impacted due to our product portfolio and manufacturing control. "Generic and cheaper products tend to face more shortages.

Marc believes the problem is being made worse by ever-changing regulations but is taking steps to overcome those hurdles. "Navigating various European legislations and ensuring compliance is challenging", he added.

"One of the significant challenges is the diversity of legislations across different countries, making it difficult to define what constitutes a drug shortage. Standardising definitions and regulations would be beneficial.

"Additionally, the market structure in Europe, with free trade and parallel traders, adds complexity. Companies like ours often find themselves competing with parallel traders, which can lead to confrontations."

By enhancing visibility in the supply chain, Marc believes you can begin to tackle some of the problems. However, he acknowledged that geopolitical factors such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine have made it even more difficult.

"With thousands of SKUs and numerous manufacturing and distribution flows, mapping processes and maintaining up-to-date information is daunting", he said.

"Investing in technologies like digital twins and real-time tracking provides the necessary visibility.

"As for unpredictable events like the situation in Ukraine, they can disrupt supply chains similarly to how the Covid-19 pandemic did. Collaboration with international organizations and ensuring access to war zones are crucial for maintaining pharmaceutical supply lines."

High on the agenda for every supply chain executive at the moment is sustainability. and Marc is no exception. "Sustainability is a significant focus for the industry," he added. "We've made progress by increasing the use of sea freight and improving efficiency, aligning with sustainability goals.

"By 2030, we aim to further enhance sustainability through initiatives like solar lights, co-loading, and alternative fuels. It's essential to balance cost savings with patient welfare."

To listen to the episode in full, go to Spotify or Apple Podcasts and subscribe for future episodes.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email us at podcast@logipharma.co.uk