Minimization of the Logistic Costs in Healthcare supply chain: a hybrid model

In last years the medical supplies changed and became more complex: if on one hand the needs of medical supplies increased exponentially, on the other hand the rapid growth of healthcare has led researchers to investigate new models able to improve the medical service minimizing the logistic costs. The purpose of this paper is to develop a hybrid model based on adoption of an experimental algorithm of Facility Location integrated in a Location Routing Problem allowing to identify the hub/s location in healthcare supply chain, reducing the transport and warehousing costs. The model is tested on an Italian case study, focused on a medical supplies' distribution in Apulia Region. The results showed that the model ensures the minimization of costs due to medical supplies, considering the vehicles fleet as well as locations, demands, delivery time, and time-priority of the direct stakeholders (e.g. hospital wards, medical centers, pharmacies, etc.). (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.