The Medical Procurement of Ukraine (MPU) team participated in the global event "Future of Pharmaceutical Procurement: Challenges and Opportunities" by SAP. Our team talked about the mechanism of procuring medicines and medical equipment during wartime and digital solutions for transforming the sphere of public healthcare supply.
The event took place on June 20th in Prague and was dedicated to pharmaceutical procurement issues in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Representatives from the global company SAP, the MPU, and multinational pharmaceutical companies participated in the event.
Acting General Manager of the MPU Edem Adamanov shared the challenges faced by the Medical Procurement of Ukraine team due to the full-scale invasion by russia. These challenges include unstable exchange rates, disrupted logistical routes due to airspace closure, regular changes in relevant legislation, damaged medical infrastructure, and more.
"Due to the full-scale invasion by russia, over a thousand medical institutions were damaged, and hundreds of hospitals, ambulances, and medical equipment were destroyed. The war has significantly affected our internal processes, forcing us to make a series of strategic decisions to ensure stable operations. As a result, in 2022, we centrally procured 96% of the planned list of medicines and medical products, which is a record figure for all years. Additionally, the MPU continues to procure essential medical equipment for hospitals within the initiative of the President of Ukraine UNITED24," stated Edem Adamanov.
Ihor Lysenko, Head of IT Development Department at the MPU, shared the path of the state enterprise towards digital transformation in times of war.
"War is a dreadful experience, but at the same time, it serves as a powerful catalyst for change and a stimulus to search for new solutions that improve and expedite processes. This factor motivates us to adapt and move more dynamically towards the digital transformation of the enterprise, business process automation, and the implementation of an ERP system. Ultimately, this will accelerate the procurement and delivery of medical supplies to hospitals, which is the highest priority for the MPU," emphasized Ihor Lysenko.
The MPU is actively integrating into the global procurement community which enhances the exchange of experiences and best procurement practices in this field. Additionally, expanding partnerships with the international market will provide the opportunity to supply the country with a wider range of medical products, increase market competition, and establish a strong foundation for building long-term relationships with counterparts.
Аnna Mikulytska, Managing Director of SAP Ukraine, comments that the digital transformation of the MPU and their achievements in procurement, especially during times of war, serve as a vivid example of how popular innovative SAP technologies can assist even in crisis situations.
"Thanks to SAP Ariba, maximum transparency is ensured throughout the supply chain, enhancing procurement efficiency, while the work process is automated and requires minimal time," adds Anna Mikulytska.