Properly Preparing for Tariffs and Other Supply Chain Obstacles

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Jenna Dale, direct of client relations at Cencora, shares how pharmaceutical manufacturers are able to handle supply chain disruptions. She explains that while these issues may arise due to political or environmental factors, they aren't new challenges for the industry. Manufacturers have faced similar hurdles before and are accustomed to managing risks that affect production. The key to overcoming these challenges, according to Dale, is having a robust continuity plan in place. Such plans help ensure that manufacturing remains uninterrupted, even when external factors like tariffs create obstacles. By identifying potential risks and preparing for them, manufacturers can continue the development and commercialization of therapies despite external pressures.

Dale also comments on key challenges preventing the United States from meeting the FDA’s forecast of 10 to 20 cell and gene therapy approvals per year by 2025, the need for continued investment by the FDA in reviewers and staff to support clinical reviews, and much more.

A transcript of her conversation with PC can be found below.

PC: In your opinion, how do the imposed/pending trade tariffs impact pharma manufacturers?

Dale: In general, these aren't new topics for us. COVID was another time where manufacturers were really struggling with supply chain and trying to find alternatives to maintain continuity of manufacturing. Regardless of whatever the political environment is or other ecosystem kind of environmentally-related topics may be of concern here, I think that it comes back to the manufacturers really having a continuity plan in place across their entire business and understanding how they can try to mitigate any risks, hurdles, or challenges that they may face, and ultimately, try to achieve development and commercialization of these therapies.