EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in global supply chains for respiratory therapeutics, creating unprecedented shortages of ventilators, oxygen, and medications. This literature review analyzes the transformation of respiratory therapeutics supply chains from 2020-2025, examining technological innovations, structural reforms, and persistent challenges. Through analysis of 22 peer-reviewed studies, we identify three key developments: rapid technological adoption including blockchain and AI systems, regional manufacturing shifts away from global dependencies, and ongoing equity challenges particularly in oxygen access. While significant progress has been achieved in supply chain resilience, persistent gaps remain in low-resource settings where infrastructure limitations continue to affect over 800,000 preventable deaths annually. Future directions point toward integrated digital ecosystems and patient-centric delivery models that could enhance both efficiency and equity in respiratory care access globally.

 Keywords: Respiratory Therapeutics; Supply Chain Logistics; COVID-19; Pandemic Preparedness; Blockchain; Artificial Intelligence; Oxygen Supply

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