Agent-Based Modeling of Pharmaceutical Distribution Online Monitoring System, with Reinforcement Learning Approach

Abstract

Increasing operating profit is a challenge faced by pharmaceutical distribution companies. Most of the researches conducted in this field have a cost reduction approach. The online monitoring system is one of the effective methods that can be used for managers' decision-making and improving the performance of the pharmaceutical distribution chain with the approach of reducing costs and increasing revenues. To create this system, conceptual, mathematical and computer modeling is needed. The aim of this research is to develop a mathematical model of the online monitoring system to improve the pharmaceutical distribution system based on a conceptual model using a reinforcement learning approach. The mathematical model was derived based on the factor-based conceptual model and using the multi-factorial reinforcement learning approach. After extracting the mathematical model, the effectiveness of the model was validated by comparing the results obtained from the output of the mathematical model and the actual results in a pharmaceutical distribution company. The findings of the research showed that the developed mathematical model has the ability to continuously improve the goals, decisions and performance of the pharmaceutical distribution chain processes, according to the interactions and changes in the behavior of agents and the state of the environment.

Keywords

• mathematical modeling
• agent-based modeling
• online monitoring system
• pharmaceutical distribution system
• reinforcement learning