Pharmaceutical logistics impacted by global uncertainty

Pharmaceutical shipments, being high-value and temperature-sensitive, present significant logistical challenges and require precise handling to meet shipper demands.

Pharma shippers are increasingly insisting that their logistics providers enhance their visibility into the growing array of factors impacting their supply chains.

As geopolitical tensions escalate, economic uncertainties rise and adverse weather conditions worsen, industry experts have reported to The Loadstar that pharma customers are exerting more pressure to ensure the protection of their time-sensitive shipments.

Lionel D’Silva, Head of Airfreight Development at NNR Global Logistics UK, highlights the significant challenges posed by temperature excursions in pharmaceutical logistics, particularly during the pandemic. As the spectrum of permissible temperatures for pharmaceutical shipments expanded dramatically, the complexities of ensuring proper handling and storage increased.

During the pandemic, some COVID-19 medicines required transportation at temperatures as low as -70ºC to -80ºC. This posed substantial concerns regarding the adequacy of storage conditions upon arrival at airports. “The major question marks revolved around whether these medicines would reach their destinations with the necessary storage conditions intact”, said Mr. D’Silva. “Once they landed, we faced uncertainty about whether they were being handled correctly throughout their journey.”

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