Identification and Classification of Risks in the Raw Material Procurement Process in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Authors

  • Maryam Rahmati Department of Industrial Engineering and Systems, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Bakhtiar Ostadi * Department of Industrial Engineering and Systems, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8472-6244

https://doi.org/10.48314/apem.vi.70

Abstract

In the pharmaceutical industry, identifying and managing process-related risks, particularly in the raw material procurement process, is of fundamental importance due to the critical role of these materials in ensuring product quality and production continuity. This study aims to comprehensively identify risks associated with the pharmaceutical raw material supply chain and to propose a process-based classification framework that enables managers and pharmaceutical industry professionals to conduct a structured and practical analysis of risks. This study began with a systematic review of the literature in reputable scientific and industrial databases, through which the risks reported in relevant studies on pharmaceutical raw material procurement were extracted. Subsequently, using a process map of raw material procurement (from inventory review, supplier identification, and supplier evaluation and selection to purchasing, transportation, and delivery to the production department) the identified risks were organized into risk categories associated with each stage of the process. The findings revealed that a considerable variety of operational, financial, logistical, organizational, environmental, and systemic risks can affect the raw material procurement process at different levels. The main outcome of this study is a process-oriented framework that can serve as a basis for developing risk assessment models, prioritizing control measures, and designing more accurate decision-making systems in the pharmaceutical industry. This framework can also provide a foundation for developing quantitative risk assessment models, including Bayesian networks, and for designing strategies to enhance the resilience of the pharmaceutical raw material supply chain in future research. 

Keywords:

Risk identification, Pharmaceutical supply chain risk, Pharmaceutical supply chain process, Raw materials for production

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Published

2026-09-03

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Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Annals of Process Engineering and Management

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How to Cite

Rahmati, M., & Ostadi, B. (2026). Identification and Classification of Risks in the Raw Material Procurement Process in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Annals of Process Engineering and Management, 3(2), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.48314/apem.vi.70

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