There is no simple solution for the procurement of medical supplies in crisis situations

This study analysed the procurement of scarce medical materials such as mouth masks and respirators during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sheds light on the various challenges faced by hospitals, healthcare facilities and the national initiatives - and how these challenges are interrelated. 

Thinking about purchasing possible next pandemic

Niels Uenk, director of PPRC and project leader of the study: "We wanted to know what we could learn from the first phase of the COVID-19 crisis when it comes to the procurement and logistics of scarce medical materials for healthcare organisations. Based on 60 interviews with stakeholders from organisations at the national level and from the care and cure sector, we present six coherent directions for solutions. One is to limit dependence on foreign producers by setting up production facilities closer to home, or by means of stockpiles. Pooling purchasing power (during crises) and professionalising procurement are two others. The administrative aspects have not been forgotten either, such as setting up a crisis protocol and information systems. By combining the insights of various stakeholders, we can now think about the strategies during a possible next pandemic."

From routine procurement to crisis situation: lack of trust and coordination

In stable times, the procurement of these materials, especially of PPE, is a routine operation. This changed dramatically, and the scarcity of medical materials threatened to become a bottleneck for the capacity of healthcare systems worldwide. Kees Ahaus, Professor of Health Services Management & Organisation at Erasmus University Rotterdam: "During this crisis situation, a number of things came under fire. For example, management and staff of nursing and care homes did not feel seen, or that not all organisations were willing to share their information on stocks. This has to do with trust and lack of coordination, among other things. In this study we were also critical of this and wanted to make this image visible and recognise it." Erik van Raaij, Professor of Purchasing & Supply Management in Healthcare at Erasmus University Rotterdam adds: "It turns out that during the course of the crisis there is a difference between the first phase, where you see a lot of creative strategies at the level of individual healthcare institutions and the later phases where the emphasis is more on national coordination of purchasing and inventory management."