Healthcare logistics is no longer a tertiary subject. As the prevalence of infectious and non-communicable diseases grows alongside supply chain disruptions due to regional conflicts, unhindered access to medicines remains an emergent need. However, balancing demand and supply is often a colossal task due to the complexities of distribution networks. One case in point is the extremely high demand for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or GLP-1 agonists, which are groundbreaking for managing diabetes and aiding in weight loss. This is reflected by its market size which was worth USD 46.70 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to USD 322.85 billion by 2034.
Healthcare systems make a great effort to streamline their supply chain to meet the rising demand for various drugs, including GLP-1 class medications. This has become apparent in Southeast Asia – a region characterized by its diversity and latent growth potential. The rising number of patients using inpatient services in public hospitals, which has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and the increasing prevalence of private hospitals are clear signs of this increase in demand.
Understanding the internal processes as well as the external factors involved in the medication supply chain is a crucial starting point in building a holistic picture of what effects popular drugs like GLP-1 can have on healthcare systems.
The Challenges of Healthcare Logistics through the Lens of GLP-1 Medications