U.S, Sept. 22 -- According to a recent McKinsey study, demand for medical supplies across hospitals in the US reached unprecedented levels in 2020. Orders for isolation gowns increased fivefold, nasal swabs, sixfold, and respirators, a massive 17-fold. As a result, manufacturers were faced with the unexpected challenge of delivery. Some failed and others floundered. But even more were successful.
Five interventions have helped manufacturers ease supply constraints for medtech products during the pandemic. Important lessons have been learned along the way too. McKinsey isolated three stages of challenge that manufacturers met. These were:
A rise in demand causes inventory delays, shortages and a build-up of back-orders. This results in ma...