Pharmascience, Canada’s largest pharmaceutical company, experienced a cyberattack that was disclosed on June 1, according to La Presse. The Montreal-based company, known for its extensive range of generic drugs, has not shared detailed information about the attack’s scale or duration. The company has refrained from confirming if a ransom was demanded or if data was stolen, focusing instead on the swift action taken to secure its systems.
Pharmascience quickly engaged cybersecurity experts to address the breach, ensuring that its operations could continue safely. Despite the rapid response and restoration of services, the incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Any disruption at a major manufacturer could have a cascading effect, putting pressure on other companies and affecting the availability of drugs.
The impact of such a cyberattack on the drug supply chain is significant because of the just-in-time production model used in the industry. This model minimizes inventory levels and relies on timely production and distribution, making the system sensitive to any disruptions. A slowdown or halt in production at Pharmascience could potentially create shortages and ripple effects throughout the supply chain.
The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association, which represents companies like Pharmascience, did not provide additional details on IT security measures in the sector when contacted. The resilience of the generic drug supply chain was previously demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the industry’s ability to maintain drug availability despite challenges.
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