Purpose – This study investigates the role of supply chain knowledge management in enhancingpharmaceutical supply chain resilience.Design/methodology/approach – This study focusses on the Middle Eastregion, where semi-structured onlineinterviews were conducted with 38 professionals from the pharmaceutical supply chain to collect empirical data.Findings – The study reveals that supply chain knowledge management is a crucial value-adding practicethat improves pharmaceutical supply chain resilience. Effective supply chain knowledge management enablesorganisations to develop agility, change, adaptability, problem-solving, response and innovation capabilitiesthat support supply chain resilience. However, challenges related to supply chain management practices,people, processes and technology hinder the effective promotion of supply chain knowledge.Practical implications – This study reminds managers that knowledge management is critical for buildingresilience in supply chains.Social implications – The study highlights the importance of a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain fororganisations and society. The study advocates that effective supply chain knowledge management can helpensure a sustained supply of high-quality pharmaceutical products and services during crises.Originality/value – The study offers novel insights by examining pharmaceutical supply chain resiliencefrom a knowledge management perspective and highlighting the potential of knowledge capabilities to enablesupply chains to recover from crises and adapt to the new normal. This study also highlights the key strategicconsiderations for managing knowledge effectively throughout the supply chain.