Exploring Challenges for Essential Medicines Manufacturing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Gap Analysis using McKinsey 7Ss Framework [with Examples]

When it comes to essential medicine manufacture in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), there are significant gaps that need to be addressed. Capacity building is essential to bridge this gap, and McKinsey’s 7Ss Framework provides the perfect approach to analyze and improve the situation. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the McKinsey 7Ss Framework and how it can be leveraged to identify critical gaps in the essential medicine manufacturing sector. We’ll also explore how capacity building can help address these gaps and support the development of reliable and efficient medicine production in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started!

About McKinsey 7Ss Framework

The McKinsey 7s framework is a tool used to analyze and align different aspects of an organization to improve its performance. Let’s look at how this framework can be applied to a hypothetical organization, XYZ Inc.

1. Strategy:

This refers to the plans and decisions that an organization makes to achieve its goals. For XYZ Inc., its strategy may be to expand its product offerings in new markets to increase revenue.

2. Structure:

This refers to the organization’s hierarchical structure and reporting lines. For XYZ Inc., its structure may involve departmentalizing its employees into product development, sales, and marketing teams.

3. Systems:

This refers to the processes and technology used by the organization to achieve its goals. For XYZ Inc., its systems may involve implementing a new customer relationship management system to increase its customer base.

4. Shared values:

This refers to the core beliefs and principles that guide the organization’s behavior. For XYZ Inc., its shared values may include a commitment to quality products and exceptional customer service.

5. Skills:

This refers to the knowledge, expertise, and abilities of the organization’s employees. For XYZ Inc., its skills may involve hiring new employees with expertise in new technologies and global markets.

6. Style:

This refers to the leadership style and culture of the organization. For XYZ Inc., its style may involve a collaborative leadership approach that encourages innovation and employee development.

7. Staff:

This refers to the human resources policies and practices of the organization. For XYZ Inc., its staff policies may involve offering competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent.

By using the McKinsey 7s framework, XYZ Inc. can ensure all aspects of its organization are aligned to achieve its strategic goals and improve its overall performance.

A Model for Gap Analysis Using McKinsey 7Ss Framework

Teams and Responsibilities

The gap analysis of the pharma industry capacity to manufacture essential medicines in Low and Middle-income countries requires a comprehensive approach that involves several stakeholders. Below are the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder:

1. Project Manager: Responsible for overseeing the entire gap analysis process, coordinating with other stakeholders, and ensuring the project’s success.
2. Team Leaders: Responsible for leading the individual teams responsible for analyzing each of the Seven Ss.
3. Research Analysts: Responsible for conducting research and data analysis for each of the Seven Ss.
4. Subject-Matter Experts: Responsible for providing input and expertise related to the pharma industry, regulatory challenges, and essential medicines.

Steps and Activities

1. Define the Scope and Objectives of the Gap Analysis: The first step is to define the scope and objectives of the gap analysis. This step involves identifying the essential medicines required in Low and Middle-income countries and the pharma industry’s capacity to manufacture them.
2. Conduct Research: The next step is to conduct research on the pharma industry, regulatory challenges, and essential medicines. This step requires collecting data from various sources, such as databases, reports, and other relevant literature.
3. Analyze the McKinsey 7s Framework: Using the McKinsey 7s framework, the team leaders will analyze the pharma industry’s capacity to manufacture essential medicines in Low and Middle-income countries. This step involves analyzing the seven elements of the framework, including strategy, structure, system, shared values, skills, style, and staff.
4. Identify Gaps: After analyzing each of the Seven Ss, the team will identify gaps in the pharma industry’s capacity to manufacture essential medicines in Low and Middle-income countries. The gaps may be related to regulatory challenges, limited resources, or skills gaps.
5. Develop Recommendations: Based on the identified gaps, the team will develop recommendations to address the gaps. The recommendations may include policy changes, capacity building initiatives, and regulatory reforms.

Worksheets and Reports

1. Scope and Objectives Worksheet: This worksheet outlines the scope and objectives of the gap analysis.
2. Research Worksheet: This worksheet contains a list of sources used for research and data collection.
3. McKinsey 7s Framework Worksheet: This worksheet contains a table outlining the seven elements of the McKinsey 7s Framework.
4. Gap Analysis Worksheet: This worksheet outlines the gaps identified in each of the Seven Ss.
5. Recommendations Worksheet: This worksheet contains a list of recommendations to address the identified gaps.

Gap Analysis (Examples) – Bottlenecks and Barriers

Bottlenecks and barriers in the pharma industry’s capacity to manufacture essential medicines in Low and Middle-income countries may include regulatory challenges, limited resources, and skills gaps. For example, regulatory challenges may include slow and rigid regulatory pathways, multilayer decision-making processes, and limited human and financial resources.

Examples based on McKinsey 7Ss Framework

1. Strategy:

One example of a gap in the strategy element may be a lack of a clear roadmap for the pharma industry’s capacity building in Low and Middle-income countries.

2. Structure:

One example of a gap in the structure element may be a lack of a robust supply chain for essential medicines.

3. System:

One example of a gap in the system element may be a lack of access to modern technology and equipment.

4. Shared Values:

One example of a gap in the shared values’ element may be a lack of alignment between the pharma industry and the needs of Low and Middle-income countries.

5. Skills:

One example of a gap in the skills element may be a lack of trained personnel and expertise in essential medicine manufacturing.

6. Style:

One example of a gap in the style element may be a lack of a collaborative approach between the pharma industry and regulatory authorities in Low and Middle-income countries.

7. Staff:

 One example of a gap in the staff element may be a lack of diversity and inclusivity in the pharma industry’s workforce.

Key Takeaways

• McKinsey’s 7Ss Framework is a great tool to analyze and improve pharma industry capacity building in low- and middle-income countries.
• The McKinsey 7Ss Framework can be used to analyze the situation and assess current capabilities and identify gaps.
• This framework helps to identify areas of improvement in terms of structure, strategy, systems, staff, shared values, style and skills.
• By leveraging the insights from the 7Ss Framework, organizations in the pharma industry can develop strategies to build capacity and increase access to essential medicine manufacturers in Low and Middle-income Countries (LMICs).

Summary

The McKinsey 7Ss Framework can be used as a useful tool for analyzing gaps and bottlenecks in the manufacture and availability of essential medicines in Low- and Middle-income Countries. It consists of seven “elements” — Strategy, Structure, Systems, Shared Values, Style, Staff and Skills — that must all be in alignment to ensure success. By leveraging the McKinsey 7Ss Framework, stakeholders can identify and address weaknesses in the areas of strategy, structure, systems and other key components to ensure the successful manufacture of essential medicines for those who need them most and improve global access to health care for all people.

What’s Next on PharmaRead.com

Bonus topic – Gap analysis of Pharmaceutical industry capacity to manufacture Essential Medicines in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) – A sample case study with examples & recommendations*

The availability of essential medicines is a major concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pharmaceutical companies have an important role to play in ensuring that essential medicines are available and accessible to all people. However, there is a gap between the demand for essential medicines and the capacity of the pharmaceutical industry in LMICs to manufacture them. This gap analysis of pharmaceutical industry capacity to manufacture essential medicines in LMICs will examine the current state of the industry and provide recommendations for improvement.

This sample case study will provide overview of the challenges in manufacturing essential medicines in LMICs. It will also examine the barriers that prevent some companies from expanding their manufacturing capacities in these countries. The analysis will cover various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory frameworks, funding, and access to technology.

The findings of this gap analysis will be relevant to policymakers, pharmaceutical companies, and investors looking to improve the availability and accessibility of essential medicines in LMICs.

*Bonus topics are selected based on our readers’ interest. You can read more in the future.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on PharmaRead are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or organization. PharmaRead articles are provided for information only with a focus on global health, pharmacy practice, and healthcare systems in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). Readers should seek expert opinion for use, implementation or application of this knowledge based on their individual circumstances.