World Pharmacists Day is a timely moment to reflect on the fragility of pharmaceutical supply chains — a cornerstone of public health. Nearly 80% of Europe’s active ingredients for medicines and most US generics are sourced from Asia, leaving both regions exposed to growing geopolitical and operational risks.
Recent shortages have shown how easily shocks, from export restrictions and manufacturing issues to extreme weather, can disrupt access to essential medicines. As the industry looks ahead, the challenge is to balance efficiency with resilience. The solution lies in diversification, inventory management, quality control, and global coordination in addition to reshoring.
