Stockpiling Supplies: How the Supply Chain Has Been Affected by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned entire supply chains upside down. Many consumers are now trying to go directly to manufacturing companies for products that run scarce, like personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices. This may sound harmless to the average person, but reputable distributors are actually an important—and necessary—part of the supply chain. This is particularly true with regard to medical and scientific products.

Medical device distributors are responsible for the fast, secure, and efficient healthcare supply chain that exists today. They have created a relationship with both manufacturers and end users that is built upon a foundation of trust and safety. In an industry where product handling and storage is of the utmost importance, distributors have the expertise and resources to ensure that medical products maintain quality and security on their way to end users.

Health industry distributors have been at the forefront of getting COVID-19 supplies to the doctors that urgently need them, including PPE, syringes, needles, ventilators, and hand sanitizer. Private distributors are partnering with public health officials to do their part in stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Using an experienced distributor minimizes the risk of damage, theft, product expiration, and waste—and with manufacturers struggling to produce all the supplies that healthcare workers need, we can’t afford a single loss right now. That’s why it’s imperative to call on distributors with the know-how to handle medical products safely and effectively.

From essential workers to doctors and nurses, there are so many heroes that have stepped forward to help all of us weather the storm that is COVID-19. Healthcare distributors are heroes for acting as the essential link between manufacturers, healthcare workers, and their patients. We’re grateful for their hard work in getting critical materials to hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, and primary care doctors across the nation.

For more information on distributors and how they impact the supply chain, please visit https://www.hida.org/.