Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

eISSN (English): 2980-969X
eISSN (Persian): 2008-2630
pISSN (Persian): 2008-2622
1.0
JMERC
Volume 18, Issue 1 (2026)                   3 2026, 18(1): 77-89 | Back to browse issues page
Request Type:
Qualitative Study |

Print XML PDF HTML Full-Text (HTML)


History

How to cite this article
Mohammadebrahimi H, Zareiyan A, Sharififar S, Teymouri F, Zargar Balaye Jame S. Dimensions and Components of Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Supply Chain Preparedness in Disasters. 3 2026; 18 (1) :77-89
URL: http://ijwph.daneshafarand.org/article-3-85675-en.html
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Rights and permissions
1- Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Faculty of Nursing, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- “Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Faculty of Nursing” and “Research Center for Cancer Screening Epidemiology”, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Health Management and Economics, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
* Corresponding Author Address: Faculty of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Etemadzadeh Street, West Fatemi Street, Tehran, Iran. Postal Code: 1411718541 (sanazzargar@gmail.com)
Abstract   (362 Views)
Aims: This study aimed to identify and elucidate the dimensions of preparedness of the pharmaceutical and medical equipment supply chain in disaster settings within Iran's military health system.
Participants & Methods: This qualitative study employed conventional content analysis grounded in a constructivist paradigm. Purposive sampling with a maximum variation strategy was applied, and 18 senior managers involved in procurement, storage, and distribution processes participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed concurrently with collection using the five-step approach of Hsieh and Shannon, and findings were organized through framework synthesis.
Findings: A total of 739 initial codes were extracted and subsequently condensed into 6 main themes, 16 categories, and 45 subcategories. The identified dimensions included needs assessment, selection and stockpiling of pharmaceuticals and equipment, demand forecasting, logistics infrastructure and distribution, inter-sectoral and inter-organizational coordination, and human resource and technological support. Preparedness was found to be a multidimensional and dynamic construct influenced by structural alignment, intelligent forecasting, efficient logistics management, coordinated governance, and the integration of advanced technologies.
Conclusion: Strengthening supply chain preparedness for disasters requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses workforce capacity building, data-driven forecasting systems, structural reforms to logistics networks, and enhanced inter-organizational coordination.
Keywords:

References
1. Valiki D. Supply chain vulnerabilities in healthcare systems exposed by global health crises. IJARCCE. 2022;11(12). [Link] [DOI:10.17148/IJARCCE.2022.111259]
2. Yuliwulandari R, El Mahroos R, Febriawan Z, Wibowo A, Devi DK, Paripurno ET, et al. Natural disaster and medication preparedness among elderly: A scoping review. F1000Res. 2025;13:1510. [Link] [DOI:10.12688/f1000research.157483.2]
3. Miller FA, Young SB, Dobrow M, Shojania KG. Vulnerability of the medical product supply chain: The wake-up call of COVID-19. BMJ Qual Saf. 2021;30(4):331-5. [Link] [DOI:10.1136/bmjqs-2020-012133]
4. Wright AM, Snowdon A, Saunders M, Trampas D. The necessity of healthcare supply chain resilience for crisis preparedness. Healthc Manag Forum. 2024;37(2):95-100. [Link] [DOI:10.1177/08404704231207386]
5. Ravangard R, Mohtashami AR, Bouzanjani AA, Siadat NK, Marzaleh MA. Assessing the resilience of the supply chain of medicines and consumables during disasters based on the world economic forum framework: A case of Iran. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2025;19:e266. [Link] [DOI:10.1017/dmp.2025.10192]
6. Ojo B. Enhancing the resilience of the healthcare supply chain against pandemics and bioterrorism. Int J Eng Adv Res Technol. 2024;15:13-33. [Link]
7. Al Nuaimi D, Awofeso N. The value of applying big data analytics in health supply chain management. F1000Res. 2025;13:1237. [Link] [DOI:10.12688/f1000research.156525.4]
8. Durugbo CM, Al-Balushi Z. Supply chain management in times of crisis: A systematic review. Manag Rev Q. 2023;73(3):1179-235. [Link] [DOI:10.1007/s11301-022-00272-x]
9. Hamdi AHA, Hatah E, Bakry MM, Basari AH, Hamdi NA. Operations management of pharmaceutical supply during preparedness and disaster response: A scoping review. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2024;103:104296. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104296]
10. Bastani P, Sadeghkhani O, Bikine P, Mehralian G, Samadbeik M, Ravangard R. Medication supply chain resilience during disasters: Exploration of causes, strategies, and consequences applying Strauss and Corbin's approach to the grounded theory. J Pharm Policy Pract. 2023;16(1):99. [Link] [DOI:10.1186/s40545-023-00604-6]
11. Ivanov D, Dolgui A. Viability of intertwined supply networks: Extending the supply chain resilience angles towards survivability. A position paper motivated by COVID-19 outbreak. Int J Product Res. 2020;58(10):2904-15. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/00207543.2020.1750727]
12. Paul E, Brown GW, Ridde V. COVID-19: Time for paradigm shift in the nexus between local, national and global health. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(4). [Link] [DOI:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002622]
13. Chandra M, Kumar K, Thakur P, Chattopadhyaya S, Alam F, Kumar S. Digital technologies, healthcare and Covid-19: Insights from developing and emerging nations. Health Technol. 2022;12(2):547-68. [Link] [DOI:10.1007/s12553-022-00650-1]
14. Soltani A, Aram M, Alaeddini F. Challenges of health services during Arbaeen Pilgrimage in 2019. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2021. [Link]
15. Bravata DM, Perkins AJ, Myers LJ, Arling G, Zhang Y, Zillich AJ, et al. Association of intensive care unit patient load and demand with mortality rates in US Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(1):e2034266. [Link] [DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34266]
16. Taccone FS, Van Goethem N, De Pauw R, Wittebole X, Blot K, Van Oyen H, et al. The role of organizational characteristics on the outcome of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU in Belgium. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2021;2. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.lanepe.2020.100019]
17. Moreno-Baca F, Cano-Olivos P, Sánchez-Partida D, Martínez-Flores JL. The bullwhip effect and ripple effect with respect to supply chain resilience: Challenges and opportunities. Logistics. 2025;9(2):62. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/logistics9020062]
18. Zheng R, Gu B, Yin S, Lai KK. Supply chain management in times of supply disruption risk and consumer panic buying: A systematic review. Mathematics. 2025;13(21):3449. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/math13213449]
19. Paul SK, Chowdhury P. A production recovery plan in manufacturing supply chains for a high-demand item during COVID-19. Int J Phys Distrib Logis Manag. 2021;51(2):104-25. [Link] [DOI:10.1108/IJPDLM-04-2020-0127]
20. Subramanian L. Effective demand forecasting in health supply chains: Emerging trend, enablers, and blockers. Logistics. 2021;5(1):12. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/logistics5010012]
21. Guo Y, Liu F, Song JS, Wang S. Supply chain resilience: A review from the inventory management perspective. Fundam Res. 2025;5(2):450-63. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.fmre.2024.08.002]
22. Deressa MB, Beressa TB, Jemal A. Analysis of pharmaceuticals inventory management using ABC-VEN matrix analysis in selected health facilities of West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Integr Pharm Res Pract. 2022:47-59. [Link] [DOI:10.2147/IPRP.S354810]
23. Nocci M, Bortolin M, Hertelendy AJ, Shaikh EA, Davis T, Serale M, et al. Bridging the preparedness gap: A systematic review of recommended stockpile items for radiological and nuclear emergencies. BMC Emerg Med. 2025;25(1):1-27. [Link] [DOI:10.1186/s12873-025-01357-y]
24. Yang J, Zhang K, Hou H, Li N. Forecasting demand for emergency material classification based on casualty population. Systems. 2025;13(6):478. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/systems13060478]
25. Choi TM. Innovative "bring-service-near-your-home" operations under corona-virus (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) outbreak: Can logistics become the messiah?. Transpo Res Part E Logist Transp Rev. 2020;140:101961. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.tre.2020.101961]
26. Kumar A, Luthra S, Mangla SK, Kazançoğlu Y. COVID-19 impact on sustainable production and operations management. Sustain Oper Comput. 2020;1:1-7. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.susoc.2020.06.001]
27. Bilal AI, Bititci US, Fenta TG. Challenges and the way forward in demand-forecasting practices within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain. Pharmacy. 2024;12(3):86. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/pharmacy12030086]
28. Sharma A, Adhikary A, Borah SB. Covid-19′ s impact on supply chain decisions: Strategic insights from NASDAQ 100 firms using Twitter data. J Bus Res. 2020;117:443-9. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.035]
29. Talaie H. The enablers of healthcare supply chain resilience for public hospitals in Iran. Disaster Prev Manag Knowl. 2025;15(1):66-85. [Persian] [Link] [DOI:10.32598/DMKP.15.1.714.2]
30. Queiroz MM, Ivanov D, Dolgui A, Fosso Wamba S. Impacts of epidemic outbreaks on supply chains: Mapping a research agenda amid the COVID-19 pandemic through a structured literature review. Ann Oper Res. 2022;319(1):1159-96. [Link] [DOI:10.1007/s10479-020-03685-7]
31. Chowdhury P, Paul SK, Kaisar S, Moktadir MA. COVID-19 pandemic related supply chain studies: A systematic review. Transp Res Part E Logist Transp Rev. 2021;148:102271. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.tre.2021.102271]
32. Pang Y, Zhou S, Lou B, Xiong H, Fan K, Ning L, et al. A multi-objective optimization framework integrating ICSL deep learning for forecasting and scheduling emergency medical supply demand in public health emergencies. Sci Rep. 2025. [Link] [DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-34300-z]
33. Arora P, Kumar H, Panigrahi BK. Prediction and analysis of COVID-19 positive cases using deep learning models: A descriptive case study of India. Chaos Solitons Fractals. 2020;139:110017. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.chaos.2020.110017]
34. Postma DJ, Notenboom K, De Smet PAGMJ, Leufkens HGM, Mantel-Teeuwisse AK. Medicine shortages: Impact behind numbers. J Pharm Policy Pract. 2023;16(1):44. [Link] [DOI:10.1186/s40545-023-00548-x]
35. Badreldin HA, Atallah B. Global drug shortages due to COVID-19: Impact on patient care and mitigation strategies. Res Soc Adm Pharm. 2021;17(1):1946-9. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.017]
36. Emanuel EJ, Persad G, Upshur R, Thome B, Parker M, Glickman A, et al. Fair allocation of scarce medical resources in the time of Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(21):2049-55. [Link] [DOI:10.1056/NEJMsb2005114]
37. Guan D, Wang D, Hallegatte S, Davis SJ, Huo J, Li S, et al. Global supply-chain effects of COVID-19 control measures. Nat Hum Behav. 2020;4(6):577-87. [Link] [DOI:10.1038/s41562-020-0896-8]
38. Ranney ML, Griffeth V, Jha AK. Critical supply shortages-the need for ventilators and personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):e41. [Link] [DOI:10.1056/NEJMp2006141]
39. Iyengar K, Mabrouk A, Jain VK, Venkatesan A, Vaishya R. Learning opportunities from COVID-19 and future effects on health care system. Diabetes Metab Syndr Clin Res Rev. 2020;14(5):943-6. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.dsx.2020.06.036]
40. Alonge O, Sonkarlay S, Gwaikolo W, Fahim C, Cooper JL, Peters DH. Understanding the role of community resilience in addressing the Ebola virus disease epidemic in Liberia: A qualitative study (community resilience in Liberia). Glob Health Action. 2019;12(1):1662682. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/16549716.2019.1662682]
41. Reddy KP, Shebl FM, Foote JH, Harling G, Scott JA, Panella C, et al. Cost-effectiveness of public health strategies for COVID-19 epidemic control in South Africa: A microsimulation modelling study. Lancet Glob Health. 2021;9(2):e120-9. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30452-6]
42. Kwon IW, Kim SH, Martin DG. Healthcare supply chain management; strategic areas for quality and financial improvement. Technol Forecast Soc Chang. 2016;113:422-8. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.techfore.2016.07.014]
43. Dubey R, Gunasekaran A, Childe SJ, Bryde DJ, Giannakis M, Foropon C, et al. Big data analytics and artificial intelligence pathway to operational performance under the effects of entrepreneurial orientation and environmental dynamism: A study of manufacturing organisations. Int J Product Econ. 2020;226:107599. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.107599]
44. Bag S, Gupta S, Kumar S. Industry 4.0 adoption and 10R advance manufacturing capabilities for sustainable development. Int J Product Econ. 2021;231:107844. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107844]
45. Alonge EO, Eyo-Udo NL, Ubanadu BC, Daraojimba AI, Balogun ED, Ogunsola KO. Real-time data analytics for enhancing supply chain efficiency. Inter J Multidiscipl Res Growth Eval. 2023;10(1):49-60. [Link]
46. Bahadori M, Khankeh HR, Zaboli R, Ravangard R, Malmir I. Barriers to and facilitators of inter-organizational coordination in response to disasters: A grounded theory approach. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2017;11(3):318-25. [Link] [DOI:10.1017/dmp.2016.131]
47. Liu C, Shi Q. Inter-organizational partnering strategies in disaster response: a complex network perspective. Systems. 2023;11(8):420. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/systems11080420]
48. Kapucu N. Collaborative emergency management: better community organising, better public preparedness and response. Disasters. 2008;32(2):239-62. [Link] [DOI:10.1111/j.1467-7717.2008.01037.x]
49. Scholten K, Schilder S. The role of collaboration in supply chain resilience. Supply Chain Manag Int J. 2015;20(4):471-84. [Link] [DOI:10.1108/SCM-11-2014-0386]
50. Pettit TJ, Fiksel J, Croxton KL. Ensuring supply chain resilience: Development of a conceptual framework. J Bus Logist. 2010;31(1):1-21. [Link] [DOI:10.1002/j.2158-1592.2010.tb00125.x]
51. Kaim A, Bodas M, Camacho NA, Peleg K, Ragazzoni L. Enhancing disaster response of emergency medical teams through "TEAMS 3.0" training package-Does the multidisciplinary intervention make a difference?. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1150030. [Link] [DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1150030]
52. Huang J, Huang ZT, Sun XC, Chen TT, Wu XT. Mental health status and related factors influencing healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0289454. [Link] [DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0289454]
53. Okonkwo FC, Akonor BG, Adukpo TK. Artificial intelligence in healthcare supply chain management: Enhancing resilience and efficiency in us medical supply distribution. EPRA J. [Link]
54. Vahdat S. The role of IT-based technologies on the management of human resources in the COVID-19 era. Kybernetes. 2022;51(6):2065-88. [Link] [DOI:10.1108/K-04-2021-0333]