Worldwide, the globalization and digitalization of the economy is impacting supply chains. The changing nature
and growing number of distribution channels is most evident in the consumer and retail sectors, which are
undergoing rapid changes and can serve as an example of the changes awaiting several industries. Thus far, supply
chains in these sectors have had a rather specific and undifferentiated logistics structure. In the future it will be
increasingly necessary to implement a more differentiated approach to supply-chain structure and organization.
Supply-chain security (primarily regarding the prevention of product theft) and supply-chain integrity (to ensure the
quality, functionality and authenticity of products) are becoming even more important especially in the life sciences
sector2.