Management of drug supply chain information based on “artificial intelligence + vendor managed inventory” in China: perspective based on a case study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo employ a drug supply chain information system to optimize drug management practices, reducing costs and improving efficiency in financial and asset management.MethodsA digital artificial intelligence + vendor managed inventory (AI+VMI)-based system for drug supply chain information management in hospitals has been established. The system enables digitalization and intelligentization of purchasing plans, reconciliations, and consumption settlements while generating purchase, sales, inventory reports as well as various query reports. The indicators for evaluating the effectiveness before and after project implementation encompass drug loss reporting, inventory discrepancies, inter-hospital medication retrieval frequency, drug expenditure, and cloud pharmacy service utilization.ResultsThe successful implementation of this system has reduced the hospital inventory rate to approximately 20% and decreased the average annual inventory error rate from 0.425‰ to 0.025‰, significantly boosting drug supply chain efficiency by 42.4%. It has also minimized errors in drug application, allocation, and distribution while increasing adverse reaction reports. Drug management across multiple hospital districts has been standardized, leading to improved access to medicines and enhanced patient satisfaction.ConclusionThe AI+VMI system improves drug supply chain management by ensuring security, reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and safety of drug management, and elevating the professional competence and service level of pharmaceutical personnel.