In this episode of The Supply Side, host Tony Paquin interviews Darren Gardner, Vice President at the Conafay Group, a government relations firm. They discuss the role of the government in healthcare, the challenges of government contracts, and the importance of public-private partnerships. Darren shares his experience working in politics and healthcare policy, including his time on Capitol Hill and his involvement in stockpiling Tamiflu for the Strategic National Stockpile. They also touch on the global supply chain and the role of government as a buyer in healthcare. The conversation explores the role of non-dilutive funding and public-private partnerships in the healthcare industry, particularly in the context of the medical supply chain. It highlights the importance of mechanisms like Other Transaction Authority (OTA) and the need for government support in addressing drug shortages and building domestic manufacturing capacity. The discussion also delves into the potential of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain to revolutionize the healthcare landscape, improve supply chain transparency, and enhance drug development and distribution processes.
