SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
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Earlier this year, it was reported that medical device shortages are leaving hospitals across the US without critical tools for neonatal and paediatric patients. The consequences are severe, often forcing clinicians to make substitutions or delay care, but the shortages are not caused by any single point of failure. Instead, they stem from deeper structural weaknesses.
The US Food and Drug Administration( FDA) says it is increasingly concerned about the impact of these shortages. Its data shows that, while disruptions to adult device supply chains can usually be absorbed, shortages in paediatrics can cause far more disruption. That’ s partly because fewer manufacturers make these specialised devices and production is often not prioritised due to low profit margins. However, there exists a wider issue: the system for identifying and responding to supply chain problems is fragmented.
Where engagement fails, shortages follow Stakeholder engagement is vital to ensure a strong supply chain, with each supplier, manufacturer, regulator and NGO playing a different role. Some act as drivers, setting expectations or applying pressure; others are facilitators, offering resources or expertise; then some act as inspectors who ensure standards are met and risks are properly managed.
Engaging with these groups is essential to building resilience. The earlier a manufacturer or regulator hears about
156 June 2025