AI-Driven Geospatial Analytics for Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience: Integrating Business Intelligence, Compliance, and Healthcare Equity

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global disruptions exposed critical vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical supply chains, particularly in emerging economies where inefficiencies, regulatory lapses, and inequitable distribution amplified systemic risks. This paper proposes an integrated framework that leverages artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and geospatial analytics to strengthen resilience in pharmaceutical supply chains. Building on advances in business intelligence and compliance-driven systems, the study demonstrates how machine learning algorithms and spatial decision models can optimize drug distribution, forecast demand surges, and monitor regulatory adherence in real time. Methodologically, the framework combines predictive analytics (for demand forecasting), optimization models (for inventory and logistics planning), and geospatial AI tools (for route optimization, equity-based allocation, and climate-risk sensitivity). Regulatory compliance is embedded through algorithmic audit trails aligned with GDPR, the EU AI Act, and Nigeria’s National Drug Policy to ensure legal accountability. The study further integrates an equity dimension, prioritizing underserved regions in drug allocation and access. The findings illustrate how AI-driven geospatial intelligence not only enhances operational efficiency but also bridges the gap between compliance and equity in healthcare delivery. Case studies from Nigeria and comparative insights from U.S. pharmaceutical distribution highlight the framework’s cross-continental applicability. By uniting technical innovation with regulatory and ethical guardrails, this research establishes a model for sustainable, equitable, and resilient pharmaceutical supply chains. This contribution advances interdisciplinary scholarship at the nexus of AI, healthcare supply chain management, and regulatory science, offering novel pathways for global pharmaceutical resilience in the age of digital transformation.