Exploiting The Not-So-Best Practices Of The Pharma Supply Chain

By Ron Guido, VP of global brand protection and supply chain integrity, Johnson & Johnson

Lessons learned from someone who exploits the “not-so-best” practices of the pharmaceuticals supply chain

I want to thank the honest and hard-working members of the global pharmaceuticals supply chain for being naive, uninformed, or apathetic to the lucrative and growing business opportunities I enjoy at their expense. To the IP owners of those products affected, I am equally indebted for creating “trust” in those brand names among the user community, thereby establishing a healthy base of business for me to exploit. You see, I am actually honoring you by copying your products.

You may not know me, but I certainly know you very well. In fact, it is easy to become acquainted with you by simply observing your predictable routines and trusting behaviors. I am amused by your preoccupation with service levels, fill rates, global sourcing networks, and speed of delivery. Ah yes, I enjoy the way you process countless transactions and inventory transfers without that verification part — my fortune is built upon your trust-sans-verification habits.