IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlogis/v9y2025i1p15-d1570923.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Resilience and Adaptability in Paracetamol Supply Chains: A Systems Perspective on COVID-19 Challenges and Responses in Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Tsegaye Melaku

    (Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma 378, Ethiopia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zeleke Mekonnen

    (Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma 378, Ethiopia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gudina Terefe Tucho

    (Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma 378, Ethiopia)

  • Joe Viana

    (Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    Center for Service Innovation, St. Olav’s Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway
    Department of Accounting and Operations Management, BI Norwegian Business School, 0484 Oslo, Norway)

  • Christine Årdal

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway)

  • Marianne Jahre

    (Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, BI Norwegian Business School, 0484 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

Background : The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, including those for essential medicines like paracetamol. This study aimed to assess the resilience and adaptability of Ethiopia’s paracetamol supply chain during the pandemic. Methods : A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of secondary data on paracetamol availability and supply chain disruptions. The study employed systems thinking and supply chain resilience frameworks, utilizing causal loop diagrams to visualize system dynamics. Results : Eighteen stakeholders, representing seven pharmaceutical manufacturers, five import companies, and five wholesalers, participated in the study. These participants had between three and fourteen years of experience in their respective roles. The study revealed complex interactions within the paracetamol supply chain, highlighting both challenges and adaptive responses. While 500 mg paracetamol tablets were readily available, shortages of other formulations were observed due to a range of factors, including limited product diversification, political instability, inflation, and reduced production efficiency. Conclusions : The resilience and adaptability of stakeholders, particularly manufacturers and importers, were crucial in maintaining the supply of 500 mg paracetamol tablets. Key strategies included regional sourcing, increased production, and improved partnerships. Understanding the interconnectedness of factors within the supply chain is essential for developing effective strategies to enhance its resilience and ensure sustained access to paracetamol in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsegaye Melaku & Zeleke Mekonnen & Gudina Terefe Tucho & Joe Viana & Christine Årdal & Marianne Jahre, 2025. "Resilience and Adaptability in Paracetamol Supply Chains: A Systems Perspective on COVID-19 Challenges and Responses in Ethiopia," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:9:y:2025:i:1:p:15-:d:1570923
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/9/1/15/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/9/1/15/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Latonen, S. H. & Suominen, R. M. & Juppo, A. M. & Airaksinen, M. & Seeck, H., 2023. "Organisation of cross-sector collaboration and its influence on crisis management effectiveness among pharmaceutical supply chain stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120001, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Simon J. Evenett, 2020. "Chinese whispers: COVID-19, global supply chains in essential goods, and public policy," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 3(4), pages 408-429, December.
    3. Chowdhury, Priyabrata & Paul, Sanjoy Kumar & Kaisar, Shahriar & Moktadir, Md. Abdul, 2021. "COVID-19 pandemic related supply chain studies: A systematic review," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Priom Mahmud & Sanjoy Kumar Paul & Abdullahil Azeem & Priyabrata Chowdhury, 2021. "Evaluating Supply Chain Collaboration Barriers in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Priyan, S. & Matahen, Reem & Priyanshu, Deepa & Mouqdadi, Mahera, 2024. "Environmental strategies for a healthcare system with green technology investment and pandemic effects," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(1).
    3. Karolina Werner-Lewandowsk & Piotr Lubinski & Jolanta Sloniec, 2021. "The Effect of Covid-19 on Consumer Behavior in Poland - Preliminary Research Results," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 1), pages 405-416.
    4. Paul, Ananna & Shukla, Nagesh & Trianni, Andrea, 2023. "Modelling supply chain sustainability challenges in the food processing sector amid the COVID-19 outbreak," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    5. Samadhiya, Ashutosh & Yadav, Sanjeev & Kumar, Anil & Majumdar, Abhijit & Luthra, Sunil & Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo & Upadhyay, Arvind, 2023. "The influence of artificial intelligence techniques on disruption management: Does supply chain dynamism matter?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Rozhkov, Maxim & Ivanov, Dmitry & Blackhurst, Jennifer & Nair, Anand, 2022. "Adapting supply chain operations in anticipation of and during the COVID-19 pandemic," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    7. Lorenzo Bruno Prataviera & Alessandro Creazza & Marco Melacini & Fabrizio Dallari, 2022. "Heading for Tomorrow: Resilience Strategies for Post-COVID-19 Grocery Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Das, Sanchita Basu & Sen, Rahul, 2022. "Trade Interdependencies in COVID-19-Related Essential Medical Goods: Role of Trade Facilitation and Cooperation for the Asian Economies," ADB Economics Working Paper Series 666, Asian Development Bank.
    9. Fanar Shwedeh & Ahmad Aburayya & Raghad Alfaisal & Ayotunde Adetola Adelaja & Gbemisola Ogbolu & Abid Aldhuhoori & Said Salloum, 2022. "SMEs’ Innovativeness and Technology Adoption as Downsizing Strategies during COVID-19: The Moderating Role of Financial Sustainability in the Tourism Industry Using Structural Equation Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Richard Baldwin & Rebecca Freeman & Angelos Theodorakopoulos, 2023. "Hidden Exposure: Measuring US Supply Chain Reliance," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 54(2 (Fall)), pages 79-167.
    11. Sara Alonso-Muñoz & Rocío González-Sánchez & Cristina Siligardi & Fernando E. García-Muiña, 2021. "New Circular Networks in Resilient Supply Chains: An External Capital Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    12. Ari Van Assche, 2021. "Shortages in essential goods: Are global value chains part of the problem or the solution?," SPP Communique, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, vol. 14(17), May.
    13. Sawik, Tadeusz, 2022. "Stochastic optimization of supply chain resilience under ripple effect: A COVID-19 pandemic related study," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    14. Karolien De Bruyne & Wouter Bam & Denis Engelbrecht, 2023. "South Africa's titanium industrial policy: A product space perspective," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 91(1), pages 3-27, March.
    15. Syed Abdul Rehman Khan & Pablo Ponce & George Thomas & Zhang Yu & Mohammad Saad Al-Ahmadi & Muhammad Tanveer, 2021. "Digital Technologies, Circular Economy Practices and Environmental Policies in the Era of COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    16. Jaya Priyadarshini & Rajesh Kr Singh & Ruchi Mishra & Surajit Bag, 2022. "Investigating the interaction of factors for implementing additive manufacturing to build an antifragile supply chain: TISM-MICMAC approach," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 567-588, June.
    17. Easwaramoorthy Rangaswamy & Nishad Nawaz & Zhou Changzhuang, 2022. "The impact of digital technology on changing consumer behaviours with special reference to the home furnishing sector in Singapore," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    18. Hermundsdottir, Fanny & Haneberg, Dag Håkon & Aspelund, Arild, 2022. "Analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on environmental innovations in manufacturing firms," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    19. Shafiee, Mohammad & Zare-Mehrjerdi, Yahia & Govindan, Kannan & Dastgoshade, Sohaib, 2022. "A causality analysis of risks to perishable product supply chain networks during the COVID-19 outbreak era: An extended DEMATEL method under Pythagorean fuzzy environment," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    20. Luis Francisco López-Castro & Elyn L. Solano-Charris, 2021. "Integrating Resilience and Sustainability Criteria in the Supply Chain Network Design. A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-26, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:9:y:2025:i:1:p:15-:d:1570923. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.