Record-Breaking Attendance At MedSupplyChain Conference

Attendees Agree “The Time Is Now” for Technology, Resilience

February 16, 2024 – HIDA’s MedSupplyChain Conference brought together more than 200 leaders from across both the public and private sector to identify ways to increase preparedness and improve medical product availability. This year’s meeting, held February 7-9 in Cape Coral, Florida, stressed the role of emerging technology and the growing sense of urgency to address issues in supply chain management.

"It's exciting to see so many manufacturers, distributors, providers, GPO leaders, and government partners working together to strengthen the healthcare supply chain," said HIDA Senior Vice President Elizabeth Hilla.

Among the conference takeaways:

• Resiliency: Manufacturers, distributors, and providers are building resiliency into everything they do. The concern for resiliency that was established during the COVID-19 pandemic has been internalized across the medical supply chain.
• Technology: Panelists and participants were optimistic that new technology, especially generative artificial intelligence, can address key challenges in demand planning, pandemic preparedness, and freight optimization.
• Urgency: A familiar refrain throughout the sessions was “The Time Is Now.” Armed with new technological solutions, the supply chain has the opportunity to drive transformational improvements.

HIDA also welcomed the inaugural class of Medical Supply Chain Emerging Leaders – 11 college students from diverse backgrounds studying supply chain management with an emphasis on the medical supply chain.

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About HIDA

Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) represents the healthcare distribution network – the essential link between global healthcare supply manufacturers and local care providers. HIDA members operate more than 500+ distribution centers to bring critical products, supplies, and services to more than 560,000 healthcare settings across the U.S., including hospitals, long-term care, physician practices, home care, and laboratories. Visit HIDA.org.