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New Developments, New Objectives

Carlos de la Fuente - Medistik
President

STORY INLINE POST

Wed, 09/05/2018 - 09:58

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Q: What is Medistik’s strongest area? What other segments are you interested in exploring?

A: We are mostly focused on the private market. Originally, we were focused on logistics related to medical devices and equipment but we have expanded to other areas. Pharma is a very large sector with great growth potential where we can add value, as well as in clinical labs and hospital logistics.

In 2015, Grupo Tresalia invested in the company and, along with a new advisory board and new shareholders, we decided to establish a new name to lead our plans for the next five years. We are motivated to innovate and become an engine of change in the industry. Beyond a logistics operator, we consider ourselves an integrated solutions provider for the entire supply chain, focused on the healthcare sector.

Q: How are you helping companies like hospitals achieve better dispensation?

A: We are developing new services to help hospitals manage their inventory more efficiently, better consolidate purchases, offer better services, have greater availability and reduce obsolete and expired products. There are certain technologies like radio frequency-enabled solutions that give institutions better control of their inventory in real time. With these devices we can track the input, consumption and output of high-value material in areas like hemodynamics, which allows us to track the product cycle by eliminating manual processes.

Q: What are the main challenges facing the logistics industry in Mexico?

A: Traceability. In other words, we provide the client with total visibility regarding where their products are, in what condition and if they are undergoing a process that complies with regulations. Medistik is a specialized player that not only meets local standards but also adheres to the highest international quality and regulatory standards. In Mexico, regulatory compliance is also a challenge. Not all players have the same processes and capabilities to ensure full regulatory compliance as regulations have become stricter in terms of temperature control for warehousing and distribution. For that reason, as an industry, we need to continue working on enforcement and a clearer regulatory definition for logistics operators so we can provide transparency and certainty to clients. Finally, we must demand higher quality services and achieve greater compliance to evolve as an industry.

Q: What role does technology play in Medistik’s operations?

A: There will be several innovations that will change the way we operate today. We are exploring how to use AI and Big Data analytics to provide valuable information to our clients. This will require us to develop new business models in areas like home care, which will give us the opportunity to offer not only distribution but also followup on medication and treatment directly with the patient. We have a new business and strategy area focused on technology and innovation that is helping us advance in this regard.

Q: Last year, you mentioned that the company was looking to triple its size in five years. How far along are you?

A: We are growing at a double-digit rate and our plan is to multiply in size four or five times by 2022. We will achieve this by improving our five vertical segments: medical equipment and devices, pharmaceuticals, animal health, doctors and clinics and hospital logistics. We are also modifying our offer to evolve from being a traditional B2B company to complementing it with a B2C component under a patient-centric strategy.

We want to help bring our clients closer to their patients. To achieve this, we have developed services like direct distribution of products to patients with chronic diseases. We have a division called Healink through which we help our clients reach the patient in a more direct way.

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