A robust fuzzy optimisation for a multi-objective pharmaceutical supply chain network design problem considering reliability and delivery time

Abstract

Due to the emergency role of pharmaceutical supply chains, there has been rapid development of optimisation techniques as one of efficient tools to improve pharmaceutical supply chain network design. To improve the pharmaceutical supply chain network, this study proposes a novel location-allocation-inventory model as a multi-objective, multi-echelon, multi-product, multi-period and multi-modal transportation system for pharmaceutical supply chain network design under uncertainty. The proposed model aims to optimise multiple objectives, including minimising the total costs and the delivery time while maximising the transportation system reliability simultaneously. To control the impacts of uncertain parameters including the ordering, delivery, purchase, and transportation costs and the capacity of vehicles, warehouses and of distribution centres, a robust fuzzy optimisation approach is developed. An efficient modification of a state-of-the-art evolutionary algorithm called the red deer algorithm (RDA) in its multi-objective form abbreviated as IMORDA is developed and compared with itself and well-established algorithms in the literature such as non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and multi-objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO). The results confirm the applicability and efficiency of the IMORDA for the proposed model and encourage further development of this new metaheuristic.

KEYWORDS:

• Pharmaceutical supply chain
• reliability
• delivery time
• robust fuzzy approach
• evolutionary algorithms
• red deer algorithm

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fatemeh Delfani

Fatemeh Delfani has been graduated in PhD degree in Industrial Engineering from Islamic Azad University. She works as a lecturer in supply chain management, inventory systems and optimization models and algorithms.

Hamed Samanipour

Hamed Samanipour earned his master degree in Industrial Engineering from Islamic Azad University. He works as a supply chain consulter.

Hossein Beiki

Hossein Beiki is an assistant professor in Industrial Engineering at Islamic Azad University (IAU) in Naragh branch. He earned his PhD degree in Industrial Engineering from IAU. His research interests are disaster operations management, supply chain management and optimization theory with the use of Operation Research.

Alexei Valerievich Yumashev

Alexei Valerievich Yumashev is a Doctor of Medicine and works as a Professor in Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.

Elvir Munirovich Akhmetshin

Elvir Munirovich Akhmetshin is a Senior Lecturer of Economics and Management Department in Kazan Federal University, Elabuga Institute of KFU.