WDSrx Blog Case Study: Reducing Wait Times with Expedited Logistics to Cancer Clinics

Introduction A prominent operator of 90 local cancer clinics throughout Florida required an efficient, expedited logistics solution to deliver medications and therapies to every clinic and coordinate with patient appointments. The complex process involved the return and immediate re-delivery of therapies between facilities. Many products required refrigeration and special handling. WDSrx created a plan to streamline returns and fulfillment with support from Reverse Logistics and Operations teams. The outcome increased productivity and improved program reliability. Challenges The Reverse Logistics team overcame several challenges to develop a viable solution. The coordination required between the client, individual clinics and the WDSrx Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance team was a significant challenge faced during this process. Different medications traveled from individual clinics to the central WDSrx logistics hub location and redirected to other facilities. Maintaining product integrity and verifying chain of custody required strict compliance as inventory moved through the system. Another challenge involved Internal coordination between the forward logistics and reverse logistics teams at WDSrx. Reverse logistics and forward logistics are separate functions within the company. Items returned usually go through one of two channels: destruction or returning to active inventory based on client returns policy. This case required constant communication as products returned to the Reverse Logistics team. Additionally, the client maintained their own inventory management system. This required WDSrx to integrate its current WMS with their systems in order to stay harmonized. It is crucial that the information displayed on both systems matched one another. The client often made new products available to clinics. The WDSrx warehouse management system requires the immediate entry of details about each new product for avoiding delays in receiving returns of new items. The client needed a fast turnaround of medications between return and shipment to new clinics. Minimizing the dead time between an item getting returned and then redirected is critical to patient health and product effectiveness. Solutions Advance planning occurs prior to the start of the expedited logistics project. WDSrx held virtual and in-person meetings with the client to carefully review procedures and design a cohesive game plan. The client frequently works to [...]The post Case Study: Reducing Wait Times with Expedited Logistics to Cancer Clinics appeared first on WDSrx - Woodfield Distribution - Pharmaceutical Logistics.