Providing Healthcare Solutions with a human touch

MedSupply International services are aimed at providing end to end medical and pharmaceutical solutions globally

MedSupply International serves as the business capability of the International SOS and is a leading provider of medical supplies. With more than three decades of experience and worldwide delivery capabilities, the company is uniquely positioned to provide its customers with high quality supplies and equipment.

Through its comprehensive global healthcare network, astringent quality assurance system and highly skilled logistics team, the company assists its partners in providing access to essential medicines, medical goods, and health programmes worldwide.

The right medical supplies, in the right place, at the right time’ in the medical and pharmaceutical services arena is the corporate motto at International SOS. The company operates globally alongside its clients and partners in the most challenging and remote environments.

Therefore, having a reliable and predictable medical supply chain in place across the range of functions such as acquisition, assembly and storage, distribution and through life support is a fundamental pre-requisite to delivering effective care on a consistent basis in these environments.

International SOS, established in 1985, is a leading provider of both medical supplies and services globally. It serve more than 500 national governments, INGOs and NGOs globally, all of whom operate within diverse and complex environments. MedSupply International is their in-house capability center to cater their complex projects.

MedSupply International comprises of seven medical supply wholesale distribution centres strategically located throughout the world. MedSupply International’s primary focus and expertise is on the timely procurement and distribution of quality medical supplies, including customised kits, and modular health facilities, developed in accordance with our clients’ needs.

End to End supply solutions

The company’s services are aimed at providing end to end medical and pharmaceutical solutions to a global client base, which covers the maritime and aviation industries, oil and gas companies, hospitals, clinics, humanitarian aid and non-profitable organizations and businesses with remote locations world-wide.

The services provider has the capability to assemble, manufacture and distribute customised medical kits and medical supplies (Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment/Device/Consumables) in accordance with in-country regulations and individual requirements.

According to company sources, over 13,000 multi-cultural medical, security and logistics experts provide support and assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries on a continued basis.

Global Supply Chain conducted an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with

Guillaume Akbaraly, Operations Director, MedSupply Government Services, International SOS

Guillaume Akbaraly is a holder of a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA in International Business.

He has more than 15 years of hands-on experience in end-to-end Supply Chain Management across various industries such as Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Energy Management, Steel and across Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa.

He has a track record of leading full Supply Chain organization or setting up department from scratch. Guillaume is widely recognized to lead and implement Supply Chain strategy to maximize revenue by keeping customer satisfaction at its heart while optimizing cost with a real passion for innovation.

Guillaume Akbaraly, Operations Director, MedSupply Government Services, International SOS, based in the Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA). The following is the transcript of that interview.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): What is the mandate and scope of work and portfolio for International SOS?

Guillaume Akbaraly (GA): MedSupply International, an integral part of International SOS, is a leading provider of both medical supplies and services globally. We serve more than 500 national governments, inter-governmental organisations and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) globally, all of whom operate within diverse and complex environments. We have the capability to supply pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical and medical equipment, medical consumables, first aid supplies, medical infrastructure and medical kits worldwide.

Streamlined logistics, highly trained experts, the right digital tools, cloud solutions and advanced analytics with data visualization, enable us to provide smarter and more efficient solutions to clients. Streamlined logistics, highly trained experts, the right digital tools, cloud solutions and advanced analytics with data visualization, enable us to provide smarter and more efficient solutions to clients.

To this end we deliver an end-to-end solution that is designed to augment our partners’ existing capability and have an extensive team of clinical, operational and supply chain experts globally.

Furthermore, we have in-depth local knowledge to source cost-effective and quality medical supplies from our network of pre-credentialed suppliers. We understand local regulatory requirements around the importation of medical supplies, and work to ensure compliance.

Additionally, on the logistics and operations front, we arrange the most efficient and eco-friendly modes of transport and packaging in pursuit of sustainable business. We provide stable cold chain even in extremely remote locations and given our capabilities we ensure minimal supply chain disruption.

GSC: What specific (medical) services and products do you offer?

GA: We provide a range of product and services from the provision of ambulance and service vehicles’ pharmaceutical supplies, consumables and disposables, medical kits and equipment, laboratory supplies and mobile solutions.

Our approach entails the assurance of cost-effective pricing by sustainable sourcing from a global network of appointed suppliers and the provision of reliable medical supplies with the support of a stringent Quality Management System to avoid sub-standard or counterfeit products.

We also extensively follow up on all logistics processes through reliable digital solutions to bring the highest visibility and achieve customer satisfaction and recommendation of medical inventory levels according to client operational requirements and local regulations.

GSC: How significant is the logistics trade in your business?

GA: It is highly important as it is one of our key competencies. Our projects don`t have any geographical boundaries, as well as our services. Therefore, the logistic trade plays a center role to ensure that our projects are deliver on time as it is directly impacting the population.

We closely monitor all the different event happening around the globe to adjust our plan of actions and to have always different scenario planned to keep our commitment to our customers. It is essential to develop a risk-based approach especially in a postpandemic world.