Optimized drug supply logistical techniques for a central drug distribution center

摘要

A facility for managing distribution of a drug is described. The facility generates an order for the drug on behalf of one or more purchasing hospitals, the order specifying each purchasing hospitals' identity and a quantity of the drug ordered on its behalf. The facility selects the specified identities of the purchasing hospitals and the specified quantities of the drug in a manner that takes advantage of opportunities that one or more distinguished hospitals among the purchasing hospitals have to order the drug at a discounted price. The facility reimburses each purchasing hospital for the drug ordered on its behalf at an undiscounted price. The facility causes the ordered quality of the drug to be physically distributed to one or more consuming hospitals, and causes each consuming hospital to be charged for the distributed quantity of the drug at the undiscounted price.