Questions for Erica Fazakerley, Senior Supply Chain Planner

1. Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to your current role at Essential Pharma?

I began working in exports and clinical trials at a pharmaceutical wholesaler and that’s where I was first exposed to the interesting and complex world of supply chain. Over nearly 20 years of working in this field, I am glad to have gained such a deep understanding of how pharmaceutical manufacturing works. Essential Pharma felt like a natural fit, allowing me to bring together all the knowledge I had gained. As Senior Supply Chain Planner, I help ensure patients get the treatments they need, which is very rewarding.

2. What do you enjoy most about your role, and how does it fit into the work of different teams within the business?

I really enjoy the variety the role brings – no two days are the same. The supply chain team plays a role in nearly every part of the business, since everything connects back to our products. From regulatory changes to quality control, we’re involved at every step.

There are many moving parts and always new challenges to solve, which makes collaboration between different teams essential. I’m passionate about driving improvement, so it’s rewarding to work with other departments to overcome obstacles and ensure that patients receive the essential medicines they rely on.

3. How do you balance the different demands of pharmaceutical supply planning, such as regulatory requirements and product shelf life?

Balancing the demands that come with planning is always very difficult because there are lots of moving parts, but attention to detail is key. Each product type comes with its own regulatory requirements and challenges, so it’s vital to stay on top of the details in each product category whilst keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Clear communication with internal teams and external partners helps us anticipate challenges earlier and find solutions as quickly as possible. For regulatory changes, for example, some are well-publicized, like recent Falsified Medicines Directive changes for Italy and the UK, and we have good visibility on these. Others are ad hoc, and are flagged to us by the regulatory team, which is why collaboration across the company is so important to enable effective supply chain planning.

4. How have recent industry trends and emerging technologies impacted supply chain planning?

New technologies are emerging all the time which provide greater visibility on inventory and demand, helping us plan better. It also helps us track logistics performance more accurately and respond faster when challenges arise. These tools help us keep improving and make sure that we deliver our medicines to patients as efficiently as possible.

5. What does it mean to your day-to-day role that ‘every patient matters’?

We’re all very focused on the impact our work has on patients, knowing they rely on our medicines. Sometimes, these are products that other pharma companies have decided to stop making, so we are their last resort for that line of treatment. It’s important that we maintain that access because it can make a real difference to their quality of life.

I always think: if it were my mum or my daughter that relied on this medicine, how would I feel if it wasn’t available anymore? We’re acutely tuned-in to the patient base, so every detail and discussion is meaningful. It’s not just about numbers, but each individual patient.

6. What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

Be curious, adaptable, and willing to learn. The industry is complex and highly regulated, and things change all the time. Don’t be afraid to gain experience across different areas. Every perspective you can gain will help you build your knowledge and key skills.

Strong communication and collaboration are important, especially if you’re working in supply chain, because you have so many touch points across the business. Remember that every role is meaningful and contributes towards giving patients access to the medicines they need.