AI in pharmaceutical distribution: half an hour less on routes and seconds to locate stocks
Pharmaceutical distribution companies already use predictive algorithms to maximize distribution routes (with improvements of up to half an hour), employ simulation models to perfect the use of energy resources, and analyze market behavior patterns. They achieve this and much more thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), as Cofares, Bidafarma, Hefame, Cofas, Novaltia, Fedefarma, Cofarca, and Alliance Healthcare explained to this media, with projects that are some of them still in the pilot phase.
This was also evident at the 7th National Pharmaceutical Distribution Conference , organized in February by the General Council of COF , where videos were shown with some examples, some of them explained by avatars, as in the case of Novaltia and Fedefarma. Juan del Río, national spokesperson for Distribution of the Council and general director of Unnefar , has told this newspaper that "AI is transforming stock management, optimizing processes in which the time factor is crucial or improving efficiency throughout the supply chain, minimizing errors."
"No matter how much technology advances, only by complying with the maxim that 'where there is a medicine, there must be a pharmacist' will we be able to fulfill our mission" (Juan del Río)
Regarding the Conference, he recalls some of the projects mentioned, such as those "that already allow chatting for the correct location of unreferenced products; analyzing market behavior patterns, consumption trends and seasonality of products, in order to anticipate the needs of pharmacies and offer them a more personalized service; calculating optimal delivery routes in real time; or improving security in access to their systems thanks to an advanced solution that protects against digital attacks and fraud through the use of intelligent BOTs and real-time behavioral analysis," he stressed.
Presence of the pharmacist
However, he made it clear that "no matter how much technology advances, only by adhering to the maxim that where there is a medicine, there must be a pharmacist will we be able to continue fulfilling, in the manner that the times determine, our fundamental mission of guaranteeing access to pharmaceutical services under conditions of quality, equity, and safety for all citizens."
Similarly, Matilde Sánchez Reyes, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Distributors ( Fedifar ), told this newspaper that "full-range pharmaceutical distribution companies rely on information management as a strategic tool to optimize their logistics processes."
Sánchez Reyes commented that "all the advances occurring in this field, including the implementation of AI, allow Fedifar member companies to improve the efficiency of their operations , as is the case with the use of predictive algorithms to maximize distribution routes or the use of simulation models to improve the use of energy resources."
Alliance Healthcare and its 'PinRoutes' to optimize routes
Alliance Healthcare, which defines itself as a "global provider of services for pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry" (with 28 warehouses, 7,000 clients and 25,000 references), uses PinRoutes, an advanced route optimization tool that integrates data analysis techniques and machine learning algorithms.
As it explains, "PinRoutes allows the calculation of the most efficient delivery routes, considering variables such as the specific demand of each pharmacy, traffic conditions, time restrictions and vehicle load capacity. This solution not only improves on-time deliveries, but also contributes to sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This translates into greater operational efficiency and better service for pharmacies and, ultimately, for patients."
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