Pharmaceutical shortages

Today I have completed a paper about pharmaceutical shortages. My primary finding was that the bullwhip effect was starting at hospitals out of fear of a potential pharmaceutical shortage. This fear is leading hospitals to stockpile inventory, which makes the pharmaceutical even worse.

The bullwhip effect, for those that don't know, occurs when demand increases at one point in a supply chain and triggers ever increasing demand throughout the supply chain. For example, if we all go and buy milk before a storm, then our grocer will order more from their supplier of milk. This supplier will see an unusual spike in demand and will order even more from its supplier, thus amplifying the problem. This cycle continues through out the supply chain, until demand drops off suddenly, because everyone is over stocked. Once demand drops off, the entire cycle starts over again. This variance-of-demand cycle is not good for a firm's production schedule.

To prevent this from happening firm's within this supply chain should communicate and share more information. In addition, better lead times and forecasting can help. Also, government policy can play a role in allowing manufacturers to respond more rapidly to changing demand. Currently, government policy restricts pharmaceutical manufacturers from making more product than was originally forecasted. Therefore, if more is needed, a manufacturer must ask the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) if this is okay to do.

The best part about finishing this paper is how good it feels to have it done and out of the way. I wish I could bottle the feeling! Now...on to the next one.

A year has passed, but don't think the adventures stopped

The last post I made was over a year ago. Since that time, a number of changes have occurred.

Here is the short list:

1. We had a son (he is now over 8 months old)

While that is not all that I have done over the past year, it certainly is the biggest and most awesome accomplishment. Also, it is a bunch of fun!

That's it for now...

Catching up on the past year or so

A lot has happened sense my last post, so I have created some photo albums to check out. Enjoy!

October 2010 - December 2011 recap...


Winter Break Vacation 2011...


New Year's Eve 2011-2012


North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit...

The Chicago Marathon 10.10.10

Peru pictures

Here are some pictures from Peru. Natalie and I can't say enough good things about it!

Quality of Life Index 2010

I ran across a list that was recently published. It shows which countries have the highest quality of life, based on several factors. Check it out: Quality of Life Index 2010.

You may have guessed that the US is not at the top of the list. France, Australia, and Switzerland come in at the top, while the US came in at 7th place. Compared to the top countries whom placed ahead of us, we scored lower in: Leisure & Culture, Economy, Environment, Freedom, and Health. Certainly the Europeans have more vacation, have better awareness of their actions on the environment, and have universal health care, but I was surprised at the lower scores on Freedom and the Economy. First, their economies suffered just as badly as ours in the recent crisis, so I am not sure what makes it better. Also, since many citizens and foreigners look at the US as a "free" nation, I am little surprised at the lower score for Freedom, but then I am reminded of the Patriot Act or other measures that our government has taken in the last several years that have taken away some of our privacy and freedom.

I think the end of the list is just as interesting as the top. Make sure you scroll to the bottom to see which countries we probably would never even want to go visit. They are fighting an uphill battle.

Winter 2009

Haymed and Enka Lake Triathlons

This year I have been training for various races and having a bunch of fun. About a month ago, I ran a 22 min. 5K, which is the lowest I have done in 10 years or more. Here are some pictures of the two triathlons I have done this year.

Family Pictures

I have lots of pictures to post, but I will do it slowly. These pictures were taken a while back, but they are still great. Enjoy!!

Anna on film

These videos are a bit dark, but turn the volume up and enjoy!

Spring has come

The grass is turning green, the dogwood trees have bloomed, and the sun is getting higher and higher in the sky. Spring is here!

Things are going great on my end and I hope they are going just as well on yours. I have not written lately, since I have not been traveling as much as I have in the past. Instead, I have spent my time working a lot more than I usually do. Luckily, I am really enjoying it.

At home, Natalie and I starting a vegetable garden, the dog is in obedience classes, and we are setting up training schedules for some races throughout the spring and summer. I have been running quite a bit, but today I took my longest ride of the year, finishing 40 miles with over 3200 feet of climbing. Also, yesterday I took my first swim of the year. I have to work on my overall speed for all of these sports. This week I will be meeting with some people at work to just that.

Oh yea, Phish is back! What else could be better:)

March 2009 pictures of Anna

Dupont State Forest - Triple Falls

Cedars of Lebanon State Park

Before I head out for the new year I was able to get a few photos off my phone. Above you can see Natalie, Anna, and I visited the Cedars of Lebanon State Park outside of Nashville, TN. On Saturday we had all day to return home from Paducah, KY, so we stopped for a hike to stretch the legs and exercise Anna. We knew that the park had a two mile loop to hike, which was perfect for our time constraints.

We pulled off the exit and six miles later we were at the park. I stopped at the visitor center and found out that there was no fees to pay, so we drove on and found the trail head. The hike was mostly flat and was through a beautiful forest filled with cedars and pine trees. Also, there was lots of sink holes dotting the landscape, which I have never seen before.

After the hike we stopped at the outlet mall at the same exit and I found a great deal at Eddie Bauer, where I fulfilled my American duty to buy!

Have a safe and happy new year!

NYE 2009 plans

we just got back from a trip to KY and St. Louis. I got the opportunity to meet a lot of Natalie's family from both sides. It was a great time and we came home with a trunk full of gifts. Now we are headed out for DC and NYC tomorrow. New year's will be spent hanging out with old friends and seeing My Morning Jacket at Madison Square Gardens. The rest of the time of the trip will be spent on a whirlwind touristy tour of NYE and another night in DC on the way back to Asheville.

This will be the first time that the dog will be boarded. As she is sleeping at my feet right now she has no idea that she won't see us for five days. She is being boarded at the same place that she goes to for doggie daycare, so it will be familiar to her and I am sure she will have a great time. We will certainly miss having her with us.

I hope everyone had a happy Hanukah and a merry Christmas and I wish you all a happy new year!