Introduction to the Problem and AI Solution
Facing drug shortage issues in Mexico, there’s an opportunity to adopt a medication and medical supplies supply model based on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics, which has proven efficient in other countries.
AI-Driven Supply Chain Efficiency
Mario Ulloa, the leader of SAS México’s Public Sector, explains that AI applied to logistics allows for:
- More efficient distribution routes
- Reduced waste due to expiration
- Real-time monitoring of cold chain through IoT sensors
Digital Traceability and Blockchain Technology
Digital traceability, supported by technologies like blockchain, ensures each lot is tracked from origin to final delivery, reducing losses and counterfeit medications.
Successful AI Implementations in Other Countries
In countries like Denmark, AI-based predictive models have:
- Reduced vaccine shortages by 27%
- Shortened replenishment times by 35%
Even during peak demand periods.
The Hospital Universitario in Frankfurt, Germany, reduced unused hospital resources by 40% by predicting flu outbreaks up to three weeks in advance.
In Brazil, Norway, and South Africa, advanced analytics have:
- Decreased emergency cases due to shortages by 30%
- Generated up to 15% savings in public procurement processes
- Achieved 97% availability of essential medications in public clinics
These achievements resulted from integrating clinical, logistical, and financial data to anticipate medication demand, plan consolidated purchases, and optimize inventories. This shift enabled healthcare systems to transition from reactive supply management to a proactive model.
“La adopción de la inteligencia artificial y analítica avanzada de datos representa una oportunidad para que el gobierno mexicano y las instituciones públicas de salud transformen la gestión del abasto y aseguren la llamada “Receta Completa” para cada paciente”, de acuerdo con SAS, una empresa global de analítica de datos.
This is particularly relevant as Mexico’s Megafarmacia del Bienestar addressed only 8.5% of received requests between December 2023 and April 2024, according to Cero Desabasto data.
AI-Optimized Distribution and Cold Chain Monitoring
Mario Ulloa highlights that AI model adoption has also enabled:
- Optimized distribution routes
- Reduced losses due to expiration
- Real-time monitoring of medication and vaccine cold chains
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the problem being addressed? Drug shortages in Mexico.
- What is the proposed solution? Implementing an AI-driven supply model for medications and medical supplies.
- How does AI improve logistics? AI optimizes distribution routes, reduces waste from expiration, and enables real-time cold chain monitoring.
- What are the benefits of digital traceability and blockchain? It ensures each medication lot is tracked from origin to delivery, reducing losses and counterfeits.
- How successful have AI implementations been in other countries? Countries like Denmark and Germany have seen significant reductions in shortages, improved replenishment times, and better resource management.
- Why is this relevant for Mexico? Mexico’s Megafarmacia del Bienestar struggled to address a small percentage of requests, highlighting the need for improved supply management.
