drug-company-criminally-charged-opioid-epidemic

Major Drug Distribution Company Criminally Charged – What Does This Mean?

News broke late April about Rochester Drug Co-Operative, and its former chief executive and another top executive being criminally charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and willfully failing to file suspicious order reports. The major drug company criminally charged is being investigated further in New York.

What we know:

  • Both former executives face life in prison for failing to file suspicious order with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
  • This prosecution is the first of its kind – that is, “executives of a pharmaceutical distributor and the distributor itself have been charged with drug trafficking (and) trafficking the same drugs that are fueling the opioid epidemic.”*
  • Between 2012 and 2016 the drug company was accused of distributing tens of millions of doses of oxycodone, fentanyl and other opioids that their own compliance department flagged for the pharmacies having no legitimate need for them.
  • Prosecutors said what lead to this was practitioners working for the company acted outside of the scope of their medical practices, which they are now under investigation for.
  • The drug company purposely hid the red flags from the DEA to prevent pharmacy investigations and from potentially losing clients.
  • The company identified more than 8,000 potential orders of interest, either by size, frequency or pattern, however only one was reported.
  • During this 4-year period, RDC’s oxycodone sales grew from 4.7 million to 42.2 million, and fentanyl sales grew from 63,000 to 1.3 million.
  • Due to the growth, the former chief executive’s compensation rose to $1.5 million a year.
  • A spokesperson for RDC said the major downfall leading to these charges was not having adequate systems in place nor were their compliance team and practices rigorous enough to provide controls and oversight over the increased demand for narcotic drugs.

So now what?

Many times we see others thinking they’ll be the next drug company criminally charged because they don’t understand the regulations put in place by the DEA. And often, we see many smaller manufacturer, distributor and other pharmaceutical companies who don’t have the resources for a robust compliance team. So, what can keep companies on track is a robust software that monitors and tracks order data, and immediately reports anything marked suspicious. Not allowing any orders to slip by, or only having one person manage the system. If an order was flagged in an SOM software, it would have immediately been suspended from fulfillment and someone would have to go in, approve, adjust or completely reject the order, leaving an explanation as to why. They also would have been able to utilize previous order data from the permanent repository to gauge past, present and future orders to help make safe operating decisions.

Lately, so many investigations and compliance issues are due to human-error or lack of clear step-by-step protocols to follow when issues like this arise. This can be reduced when multiple users have access to the “order of interest” software workflow.

“Software that can help pharmaceutical companies identify, locate, suspend and investigate orders of interest in an easy-to-use environment is a key component to staying off of the DEA’s radar,” says e-SupplyLink CEO, Todd LaBonte. “DEA regulations can be an intimidating field to maneuver alone and, even more, a costly industry if operating without safety precautions.”

We have been helping companies operate safely within the scope of DEA regulations for more than 10 years. Our solution gives our clients the ability to select which administrators have access to the dashboard so profit doesn’t get ahead of ethics and safety. Having a robust software with customization capabilities would have protected this manufacturer. SOM software is all about supporting the compliance team or individual and giving them the control. We’ve worked with several users to understand their needs and worries, and apply order testing based on those discussions. We make order processing a team effort and ensure everyone using SOMLink is fully trained to maximize the investment. SOMLink has proven to be universally applicable, yet locally adaptable and continues to be a reliable source for identify orders of interest.

 

Keep reading: Pharmaceutical Ethics – Where Modern Day Practices Stand.

 

*Read the full NBC investigation article here.

boomi-integration-partnership-collaboration

e-SupplyLink and Boomi Form Strategic Integration Partnership

Supply chain technology company forms strategic partnership with leading integration software company.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – Supply chain technology provider, e-SupplyLink, announces their strategic partnership with Dell Boomi (Boomi) to bring a complete third-party integration service to clients.

e-SupplyLink is celebrating its 20-year anniversary in the supply chain industry and has made third-party software integration a top priority. Our integration services allow us to produce translations faster, reduce data entry expenses and automate data/order entries. We connect our clients’ existing EDI translators and ERP systems to our software to ensure a smooth and successful installation.

Boomi, an extension of Dell, is known for connecting all aspects of business together with their Integration Platform as a Service, allowing companies to focus on growth.  They help people, processes, applications, data and devices all work together to gain a complete understanding of customers and engage them across any channel, device, or platform.

“At Boomi, it is our mission to quickly and easily unite everything in a clients’ digital ecosystem and speed the flow of information, interactions and innovations so better business outcomes can be achieved faster,” said Dave Tavolaro, VP of Global Business Development, Boomi. “Our platform provides data and application integration, and workflow solutions with built-in intelligence and expert support that helps organizations of all sizes. This partnership with e-SupplyLink will enable businesses to focus on evolution and ultimately increase their revenue.”

Together, e-SupplyLink and Boomi raise integration to the next level. Boomi connects our customers to their trading partners, and acts as the central hub for all application integration. e-SupplyLink connects their shipping solution software with Boomi to bring clients a complete package offering.

“We are proud to be an authorized OEM provider and system integrator with Boomi,” says e-SupplyLink CEO Todd LaBonte. “Our software easily integrates into Boomi’s platform and allows us to connect businesses’ order applications to ensure smoother communication between systems.”

Boomi expedites the way we connect our software with our customers’ applications. Our close partnership with them allows us to work with their product and engineering teams to bring value-added solutions to our clients..

hospitals changing practices

Hospitals Changing Practices To Curb Opioid Epidemic

We read an article from the American College of Physicians website talking about hospitals changing practices for their day-to-day routines. It was an interesting read for sure and we were left with a few thoughts we wanted to share.

 

The gist: Due to the ongoing opioid crisis and rise in the diversion of prescription narcotics, many hospitals are changing practices and protocols to reduce the amount of opioids they distribute to patients. A survey from Vizient in October 2018 shows the most common changes made are prescriber education, implementing new technologies to monitor prescribing and alternative therapies for acute pain management. Also, for any opioids that are prescribed, they are being cut significantly in length, hoping shorter timeframes for these prescriptions reduces the risk of them falling into the wrong hands.

 

Our five key takeaways/thoughts:

  1. We think these steps, while not ideal, are a logical step for ending the diversion of illegal narcotics. Too many times opioids fall into the hands of pill mills and other black markets to continue allowing “free-range” prescribing.
  2. Our big question is how will limiting prescriptions be enforced among doctors? As far as DEA regulatory statutes, there is nothing in there about doctors and their involvement with opioids, and there are multiple sides to this making it difficult to monitor doctors. How can this be generalized across the board? Hospitalists have many different specialties, and the number of prescriptions a cancer specialist writes will be vastly different from a hospitalists who specializes in family practice.
  3. We don’t think taking these narcotics off the line is a reasonable solution. They were created out of need and people rely on them in order to be a functioning member of society. We don’t want doctors and hospitalists to think they need to stop prescribing opioids all together. It’s their job to help their patients, and it’s our jobs to provide tools to make that happen. So when it comes to employing technology to monitor prescriptions, it does all the tracking and allows medical professionals to focus on caring for patients.
  4. Alternative therapies for pain management can be beneficial, however most patients don’t explore those avenues due to insurance. Alternatives can include physical therapy, yoga, or acupuncture, but aren’t covered under a basic healthcare plan, leading to opioids being the “affordable” option. This is an insurance issue, and until it gets resolved and adapted, the number of opioid prescriptions won’t be decreasing any time soon.
  5. And Finally, technology can be the difference for getting off the DEA’s radar. When you implement a software solution that tracks orders, compares them to a historical archive, approves or denies them and then fulfills them, you are demonstrating due diligence for scouting out potential orders of interest.

 

Do you agree with our thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

pharma-compliance-group-partnership

e-SupplyLink and The Pharma Compliance Group Form Strategic Partnership

 

e-SupplyLink brings supply chain technology for compliance to the Pharma Compliance Group experts to ensure the Drug Enforcement Administration’s regulations are being met.

 

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – Supply chain technology provider, e-SupplyLink announces strategic partnership with the Pharma Compliance Group to bring clients a holistic suspicious order monitoring solution.

e-SupplyLink developed SOMLink, a suspicious order monitoring software, in 2008 to combat the growing opioid abuse epidemic. We have helped several companies avoid fines from the DEA because of our rigorous 18 algorithms designed to catch and suspend orders of interest.

The Pharma Compliance Group is the leader in providing regulatory compliance services and investigations to the pharmaceutical industry. Their programs and services are done by former DEA agents, diversion investigators, and professional auditors. PCG assists clients in “traversing the regulatory requirements and in mitigating the associated risks” when operating in the field.

Maneuvering DEA regulations is no small feat and keeping track of order history manually can be extremely frustrating. The Drug Enforcement Administration requires pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors know their customers to better understand order history. SOMLink by e-SupplyLink has a built-in repository, which automatically tracks customer’s orders and then compares incoming orders against them. In conjunction with PCG’s consulting services users will determine, address and prevent compliance concerns, and can continue to fulfill orders with the knowledge they’re operating safely.

Both companies work together to ensure clients’ success. e-SupplyLink works to understand supply chain needs, tailor our software and determine which of our 18 algorithms should be applied on SOMLink. The Pharma Compliance Group works to educate clients about DEA regulations. They provide several consulting opportunities to pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and hospitals and physicians, including mock inspections, a complete internal review, and drug dispensing analysis to detect patterns or issues.

Partnering with the Pharma Compliance Group brings unparalleled services to clients in the regulatory pharmaceutical industry. When combined, these companies bring 46 years of experience to their clients in supply chain technology, and DEA requirements and practices. This partnership opportunity fills the gap for compliance and allows us to leverage the complimentary capabilities of both e-SupplyLink and the Pharma Compliance Group. This synergist approach provides great opportunities to tackle our clients’ challenges now and in the future.

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About e-SupplyLink

Founded in 1999, e-SupplyLink has been a leading provider of supply chain technology. We are devoted to providing premium solutions to monitor and track orders to reduce companies’ risk and eliminate human-error. Our software is always customized to meet our clients’ needs and easily integrates into existing third-party systems. Being in the supply chain industry for almost 20 years has put us at the front-line of technology’s exponential growth. We continually update our software to meet today’s demands helping shape supply chain management over the years. We’ve seen it all and will continue to evolve our software to meet market demands.

About The Pharma Compliance Group

The Pharma Compliance Group is made up of former DEA special agents, diversion investigators and private security experts providing specialized consultation, compliance, and field services to the pharmaceutical industry. Our team members have extensive experience conducting regulatory inspections, evaluations and investigations for DEA registered entities. Our staff is committed to providing the pharmaceutical industry with the expertise needed to maintain effective compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and the regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Santa Supply Chain Christmas Landscape

The Secret of Santa’s Supply Chain

Each holiday season we see supply chains battling it out to be number one. We’re constantly exposed to top supply chain lists sprinkled over the Internet. However, analysts for these lists always seem to forget one very prestigious supply chain, the SCSC. That’s right! The Santa Supply Chain. There’s no doubt the big guy up north runs quite possibly the most efficient system. But the real question is how does Jolly Old St. Nick’s supply chain work? Logistically speaking, he has 7.4 billion stops to make in just one night. And we’re talking direct door to chimney delivery. The time zone differences play in his favor of course, but with the number of children to see, how does Santa maintain his perfect delivery record?

So, this holiday season let’s analyze how Santa does it and see how we can strive to model our supply chain more like the North Pole.

Big Belly, Bigger Data Sets

Santa has 7.4 billion children placing their “orders” during the holiday season. They come by mail or email; kids tweet @SantaClaus to tell him their Christmas wishes. These of course get translated to written orders for his record keeping. Then there’s the orders he takes face-to-face as children from all over come to visit Santa in his village and sit on his knee.

From Elf to Shelf

Upon receiving Christmas orders, Santa needs to distribute the data to his entire distribution center and supply chain so the elves can get to work. To maintain the North Pole efficiency, it is important to have helpful scan and pack processes established because no two orders are the same. Santa doesn’t deliver master pallets, his elves custom pack and wrap each child’s wish to be delivered under their tree on Christmas Eve.

Using a scan and pack process, Santa’s supply chain can custom pack orders and create the personal shipping label. This allows Santa’s elves to keep up with supply and demand as they make product quantities according to the incoming orders. However, this also requires constant data analysis and updating records, which can best be done by an automated software.

The Logistics of Distribution

Santa has to cover 317 million miles in just 32 hours. That means roughly 75 million homes to visit and cookies to eat, meaning Santa faces unprecedented logistical challenges. But he still manages to get around the world and back home in one day. How is this possible? Leveraging time zones is a helping factor, but also fortunately Santa employs highly engaged workers who have extreme attention to details. Following processes and polices for the biggest made-to-order, demand-driven supply chain ensures success. Did we mention he also was the first to run a supply chain “in the cloud?”

The Internet of Santa?

It’s finally here. The big night: Christmas Eve! So how does Santa’s data-analyst (most likely Mrs. Claus) ensure he keeps to the schedule and has another successful Christmas Eve? At the North Pole headquarters, monitors of all types are set-up to execute a smooth operation. Weather monitors are used to keep an eye on those dreadful blizzards, weight sensors double check the sleigh isn’t overloaded and off-balanced, and labor monitors check that the eight tiny reindeer aren’t being over-worked seeing as they’re caring roughly 8 billion pounds on their backs. And of course with partnership with North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) GPS tracking is possible to inform parents when their kids need to go to bed before the big guy in red shows up. Impressive!

Santa's Supply Chain Bag

So then, how can we model businesses to be like Santa’s supply chain?

The first question is how do we obtain the magical efficiency Santa has? Is there something down here that can run an operation as smoothly as the elves run the North Pole?

There is certainly something that can speed up packing and shipping processes. Scan and pack routines act like those little extra hands, expediting order fulfillment by eliminating the task of manually entering orders. Having a keyboard wedge or wireless scanner by your side is a trusted partner throughout the holiday season – and what’s better, they don’t need all those cocoa breaks! These scanners allow for various forms of packing orders, whether they be master pallets scanned and ready to go, or custom orders that get scanned into a box updating the database the entire time. These mighty scanners act as the hands of seven elves; packing, scanning and shipping orders without the need to run around a warehouse, scouting out toys.

Tools that provide automation and progress monitoring can be the key to success this time of year. With products literally about to fly off the shelf next week, retailers are going to be ordering merchandise three times as much compared to any other month. And since the season is all about giving, why not give your clients the best order turnaround time imaginable free of errors and delays.

The holiday season means stores putting in high-quantity orders for two solid months; making sure they have enough supplies for any last minute holiday wishes. This means constant high-traffic of incoming data and having an automated B2B shipping software can do Christmas wonders for any supply chain.

Take a deeper look into Santa’s supply chain here!

Spooky Reality of Suspicious Order Monitoring

The Spooky Reality of Suspicious Order Monitoring

Have you ever taken the time to look at the reasons behind suspicious order monitoring? The concept of SOM was introduced by the Drug Enforcement Administration with regard to the opioid crisis spreading across the U.S.A. The DEA does not target users, but instead focuses on the supply: cartels and rogue individuals that divert products. Suspicious order monitoring is designed to help pharmaceutical manufacturers comply with these regulations to protect both their business and patients. Even with these protections in place though, opioids are still roaming across the states, forcing the DEA to open investigations on manufacturers.

Back in 2015, 200 Floridian primary care physicians admit to prescribing medications for unsuitable conditions and overlooked non-addictive prescriptions that have been shown to be more effective. Taking extreme measures to catch illegitimate suppliers and manufacturers, the DEA has found every region east of the Mississippi has drug dealers and users spanning across it. Many manufacturers have been fined, some upwards of $35 million for filling what are known to be orders of interest.

From the business world, not adhering to these regulations is seen as malpractice and result in large fines. But, looking on a broader level, these malpractices are impacting the everyday lives of Americans. Teenagers pack into vans, travel across state lines to access these pain management clinics in Florida; leaving with around 500 to 600 pills each. But this isn’t the only instance of “loosely regulated clinics” handing out prescriptions.  Seventeen thousand pills were sent via mail to a small town in West Virginia from a man in Hillsborough County, Florida. A major reason pill mills have proliferated Florida is because, unlike other states, there wasn’t a system for monitoring prescriptions. Law enforcement believed having a monitoring system would have prevented “doctor shopping” and the widespread of oxycodone.

How the Increase in DEA Presence Decreased Opioids

The DEA’s response to the opioid crisis was implementing strict regulations for pharmaceutical manufacturers with dire consequences if not followed. Their only goal is to protect the American public by preventing diversion of controlled substances. The “Know Your Customer” policy was created by the DEA for manufacturers to understand where their distributors take supplies. If manufacturers had known prescription drugs were headed to these pill mills in Florida, they could have stopped supplying them, avoided the outrageous fines and, ultimately, saved people from a lifetime of addiction.

Since the rise of the opioid epidemic, the DEA has been fighting tirelessly to end the diversion of opioids while ensuring they remain available to those with a genuine medical, scientific and industrial need. The administration’s increased ability to interfere with the diversion of controlled substances encourages vigilance from drug manufacturers, and opens the door for better communication between the DEA and individual states. In the past year alone, several significant settlements and court decisions have resulted from this new requirement.

Enhancing the role of the DEA boosts the protection they provide for the public. In order to get prescription drugs off the street, they needed the OK to step in and take action. Since then, the DEA was forced to shut down more than 250 “pill mills” in Florida,

Since implementing new regulations and compliance guidelines, the DEA has also launched a semi-annual event to collect unused and unwanted prescriptions. The main goal: to get these addictive drugs off the streets. The National Take Back Day occurs twice a year  and the DEA partners with almost 6,000 locations nationally to collect excess prescription drugs. The DEA hosted 15 Take Back Days since the fall of 2010, and collected and destroyed 4,982 tons of unused, unwanted and expired drugs. Drugs that could have easily been left in a medicine cabinet for a friend or family member to discover.

The Bottom Line:

The Drug Enforcement Administration is not out looking to fine businesses. They are fulfilling their mission focused on protecting the American public. These recent developments point to enhanced DEA expectations for compliance and escalated penalties for noncompliance throughout the prescription opioid distribution chain. The DEA is looking for consistency in reports, especially in those taking a “know-it-when-you-see-it approach” that is difficult to systematize. The lack of sufficient data and incomplete information from customers can make it difficult to decide whether or not to fill prescription orders.

Working with a trusted SOM developer takes the guess work out order fulfillment and can help align your business with the goals of the DEA; allowing for more trust as well from the administration. SOM is the safe step for the pharmaceutical industry. Defensive algorithms work around the clock checking orders so it doesn’t have to be a manual task. They are more reliable than humans and keep supply lines free of delays if an order is flagged as suspicious.

DEA regulations can be confusing to link together. Contact us today to see just how SOMLink ties your supply chain to the DEA.

Sources:
https://www.nij.gov/topics/drugs/markets/Pages/florida-legislation-helps-reduce-the-number-of-pill-mills.aspx
file:///C:/Users/ESL-Marketing/Documents/suspicious_order_monitoring-part1.pdf
Sears Holdings Fighting Bankruptcy

Sears Holdings Trying To Restructure To Avoid Bankruptcy

It’s no surprise to hear Sears Holdings is doing everything in their power to avoid going under. Recently they’ve closed low-performing stores, and invested more time and money into higher-achieving establishments as a reactive measure. However the CEO Eddie Lampert is making the biggest push yet to restructure the company to avoid going bankrupt. Lampert has been trimming costs to keep debt at bay and the company afloat. If Sears Holdings fails to cut costs, they will be starring at a $134 million payment on Oct. 15.  Lampert has been working close with ESL Investments – their hedge fund – to work restructure liabilities. If this works, the board could sell off $1.75 billion in assets and remain only $1.24 billion in debt. This would reduce their debt by almost 80 percent. That and on top of selling $1.5 billion worth of property for former retail locations, to generate liquidity to pay off more debt.

A significant restructuring tactic is Sears selling the Kenmore appliance brand and Craftsman. But will this be enough to lower debt, keep customers happy and allow Sears to climb out of their debt? This may be a way just to delay the inevitable, however per our last posting – E-commerce Comes Back To Help Brick And Mortar – there are lessons to learn from the e-commerce leaders. If Sears Holdings adopts the instant gratification model and creates hassle-free experiences online shopping involves, they could potentially see an increase in traffic.

It is unclear whether Sears’s debtholders will continue to support these efforts, or if they will recommend the company close its doors.

Read the full CNBC article here.

e-commerce trends influencing brick and mortar stores

E-commerce Comes Back To Help Brick & Mortar

We know lately the trend of more retail giants closing their doors has been splashed across every news outlet , but now some brick and mortar stores are learning from these e-commerce trends.

Experts predicted online shopping, led mainly by Amazon, would one day eliminate brick and mortar stores and conquer all of retail. The rate of store closings set a record in 2017 with no type of store excluded. Havoc stretched from Madison Avenue boutiques to shopping malls across the country, making retailers jointly struggle. At this time in 2017 nearly 5,700 stores had closed their doors for good in the United States, according to retail analyst firm Coresight Research. This year only 4,480 stores have closed.

But Then Something Changed For Brick And Mortar Stores.

One thing breathing life into vacant malls are stores learning to capture the ease and instant gratification online shopping provides. Online shopping is a platform for customers to shop while in the comfort of their own home; something major retailers are starting to adopt and it’s working! The retail giant, Target has adopted a new practice where customers order what they need through the app, drive to their store and a team member meets them in the parking lot with their order. No getting out of the car and no waiting in line at the register. Since the launch of this program, Target saw more traffic online and in store than they expected to. Growing at its fastest pace in a decade.

Walmart has introduced “personal shoppers” to its mix of employees to select and package groceries for curbside pickup. It’s the same process as ordering online, with a little personal touch.

The retailers evolving their shopping programs recognize that Amazon has forever changed consumer behavior. Many successful stores are now a cross between a drive-through and hotel concierge; trying to keep customers satisfied and, in turn, loyal.

The main reason for the slower pace of store closings is due to unprofitable stores having already been shut down. Still, big retailers like JCPenny and Sears, despite closing failing stores and sprucing up the remaining ones, are still struggling. Therefore, the other reason is stronger players are benefiting from other stores’ failures. Target, for example, saw a huge leap in toy sales as Toys “R” Us entered their final days of their liquidation sale.

Information obtained from: nytimes.com

So What Does All This Mean For Retailers’ Supply Chains?

E-commerce has halted many B2B supply chains from growing since its boom. However, with these new shopper programs being introduced, supply chains will pick up. With the economy bouncing back and consumers having more to spend, products will be moving quicker; especially if shopping is “hassle-free.” Retailers are now taking a store-centric, omni-channel approach, connecting every dot imaginable in their consumer buying process. Big players are investing in robust digital models of the entire store footprint, giving employees digital merchandising tools, and using automation to enable visual merchandising and easily create store specific plans. A deep analysis of store models allows managers to optimize product placement and  This enables employees to track merchandise currently in store, en-route to store, or allowing them to order stock on the spot for customers. Therefore, saving customers time in the store, or from having to order merchandise after the fact.

Target even plans on opening new, smaller stores near college campuses with products specified for the area’s demographic. Instead of shoppers meandering through cavernous buildings, the retail giant will stock stores with targeted products that have a definitive vibe. This shortens shoppers time in the store and places what they want out in the open. Talk about a new meaning for “Target.”

How Does Automated Software Help Supply Chains?

An automated software solution integrated into a supply chain allows for greater visibility of orders. It connects the manufacturer/supplier, distributor and retailer throughout a package’s entire journey, keeping everyone in the loop and alerting retailers where merchandise is. Whether it be in stock or en-route.

Here are five main features an automated software needs to keep up with the e-commerce trend:

  1. Reporting Features

    Having accurate reports for purchases will make order fulfillment and store floor planning a smooth operation. Our software produces bill of lading, VICs bill of lading, carton contents and branded packing lists, making client recognition immediate. These reports are sent to retailers alerting them of every detail and quantity on their order. It makes it easier to track the progress and location of the order, and for employees to know when shipments will be in. Digitally connecting orders to stores using supply chain technology.

  2. Advanced Shipping Notice Kits

    Trading partners have specific requirements for the advanced shipping notices they receive. Having a software that already has the information installed on it will make switching back and forth between partners hassle-free. We have more than 190 different ASN kits for retailers and automakers programmed into ComplyLink. These ASN kits cut time and accurately inform clients on their orders.

  3. Integration

    Supply chains already have processes and procedures established, so it’s important for automated software to integrate into the existing system. Our software has integration features that’ll connect to EDI and ERP order management tools. ComplyLink installs on suppliers’ server or workstation and electronically talks with accounting to confirm, pack and ship orders, and then verify they’re on the truck to be shipped before marking it complete.

  4. Order Verification Processes

    ComplyLink has various scanning and packing routines that support and expedite order fulfillment. These routines eliminate the need to manual enter order data in warehouse and distributors’ databases. With these processes, there is a 20 to 40 percent decrease in translation errors because it eliminates human error possibilities. There is also a 28 percent decrease in order costs because we provide tools for automatic data entry instead of having to manually type orders in. Automated processes streamline redundant, tedious tasks with the highest risk for mistakes.

  5. Customization

    The most important feature an automated software can have is the ability to be customized. Having a software that doesn’t require dramatic shifts in manufacturing procedures can alleviate pressure and uncertainty in the transition. ComplyLink ensures an easy adaptability period without missing a beat (or an order in this case) because we work with our clients to install it according to their needs.

The Key Takeaway:

E-commerce hasn’t fully claimed the retail world – and it may never get there. Warehouse managers and retailers working in conjunction with digital trends is the link brick and mortar stores need. Playing to their strengths and optimizing shipping and order-processing cycles via an automated software. Retailers can restock stores, optimize their layout and keep suppliers busy by providing material releases week by week, or with an overall product forecast. Notes like these are housed in a software like ComplyLink and keeps records for orders updated. Retailers and suppliers integrating electronic communication tools like 830s and 862s between each other pave the trail for success.

 

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Here We Go Again – Sears Holdings Closing More Stores

The trend continues – Sears Holdings announced that they will close 46 more stores by November. Of those stores, 33 are Sears and 13 are Kmart. This announcement follows the news in June that the company was already planning on liquidating almost 100 other stores. Liquidation sales for these stores will begin the week of Aug. 27.

The company stated they will continue to evaluate their network of stores and make further adjustments as needed. Sears has been continually trimming its real estate footprint as sales dwindle and shoppers turn more to online shopping opportunities. Their stock has dropped 85 percent the last year and they are in the midst of evaluating a bid from Lampert’s to buy the Kenmore appliance brand for $400 million. That’s more than triple the price of Sears current market cap.

Read more on Sears Holdings and get a full list of the stores closing here.

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Pharmaceutical Ethics – Where Modern Day Practices Stand

Lately, when looking at pharmaceutical ethics, many organizations focus on quantity and not quality of orders. Attempting to fill as many as possible in the spirit of competition; which leads to companies mismanaging orders and wrong orders being filled. An article in the latest Pharmaceutical Technology magazine provoked the question: Whose responsibility is it to regulate the quality and legitimacy of drug orders?

This question has 15 different responses: is it the DEA, pharmaceutical manufacturing manager, supply chain laborers, or the end customer? The unknown is troubling to the pharmaceutical industry. There is no role of agreement when it comes to regualtions. So, how will the DEA’s code of federal regulations be followed by drug manufacturers? When companies encounter an issue with an order, they mainly work to solve the individual citation, but fail to look at the what’s potentially causing it. Allowing the chance for it to happen again. The most effective solution for quality assurance and compliance strategies begins with robust internal procedures. And that could be as simple as dedicating part of the manufacturing and distributing process to monitoring activity of their customers.

“People complain that quality costs money, but if they really want to see how expensive things can be, they should try a consent decree.” – Chris Moreton, FinnBrit Consulting

The Problem:

With the opioid epidemic growing exponentially, the DEA instituted a federal regulation that all manufacturers and distributors must check their client has the agency’s authorization to possess controlled substances. This mandate opens a need for supply chain monitoring personnel, as a result, requires minor adjustments throughout supply chain procedures. Processes and procedures are not carved into stone, and need to be continually adapted to industrial needs and requirements. A combination of strong personnel training, keeping tools and equipment updated, having a strong quality unit, and developing a quality company culture at all levels allow for a smooth adoption of change. Similarly, there should be on-the-job training and oversight on a continual basis to reduce companies’ risk.

Consequently, one of the biggest difficulties in maintaining good manufacturing practices is complacency. “Once a process or procedure is established and functional, there does not seem to be the impetus to update and revise it,” says Susan Schniepp, executive vice president of Post-Approval Pharmaceuticals. General practices that have been in place at a company for a good length of time are hard to revise. One option companies use to update their GMPs is establishing a policy that ties failure to follow procedures with an internal audit and detect improper performance. A better option to explore is upgrading company tools and equipment, especially computer-driven programs, to monitor manufacturing practices. New technologies and new product types may necessitate an update to procedures.

Where The Responsibility Lies:

The DEA planted regulations on all prescription drug manufacturers and distributors. It doesn’t verify incoming orders, rather the agency investigates orders that come across as suspicious. It has tasked the manufacturers and distributors with complying with the regulations, or face several large fines for supplying illegitimate customers. Repeat mistakes, often caused by tunnel vision, stem from a lack of monitoring orders and from “know your customer” protocols. Today, a pharmaceutical supply chain has to be in constant communication with every department. Applying vertical and horizontal communication principles passes information from the DEA, to company administrators, on down through the company. Through fostering communication between employees on several levels helps ensure the supply chain is a smooth operation.

Developing and Maintaining New Procedures:

Change is inevitable, especially when the industry is facing unheard of fines on the horizon of an epidemic. One way to incorporate new policies and procedures is to involve all parties in the process of developing them. What new protocols need followed when fulfilling orders? One way to combat an overwhelming change is to seek the help of professionals because the concept of suspicious order monitoring is new for companies and the fine print in the regulations can be intimidating. The first step is having a solid understanding of where your current order-manufacturing process is at. Having the knowledge of your employees’ abilities is crucial before incorporating new software because it informs management of the best way to introduce and train staff on suspicious order monitoring software.

At e-SupplyLink, we are those professionals your company requires. We work with DEA agents to ensure our suspicious order monitoring software complies with the federal regulations for controlled substances. Which means less work for your company. SOMLink has been on the market for eight years and continues to be a leader in suspicious order monitoring. To keep procedural alterations to a minimum, we integrate our software into existing EDI translators and ERP management systems.