Page 10 - STAT July 2024 for Magzter

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The biggest challenge was the sud-
den surge in demand for transporting
temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical
shipments amidst limited airfreight ca-
pacity and frequent disruptions, says Iyer
of Cathay Cargo. "To meet our custom-
ers’ requirements, Cathay Cargo worked
closely with our partners and deployed
resources where capacity was not avail-
able or limited. We introduced Ultra
Track for higher visibility of pharmaceuti-
cal shipments and organised chartered
flights to where treatments and test kits
were urgently required. The learnings
were that we as an industry are resilient,
flexible and agile in adapting to disrup-
tions, and we must continue to learn and
be prepared for similar challenges in
the future."
Since Covid, supply chains have been
in a pretty much constant state of
evolution and disruption, says Goba-Blé
of UPS. "Many of these factors can’t be
controlled, so how do you best control
the areas you can?
"Overall, pharma supply chains have standing of industry needs. Innovations
shown themselves to be adaptable to like real-time temperature and humidity
these changes but if we look to the monitoring, GPS tracking and automated
future where more than half of the drugs alert systems have enhanced visibility and
in development are sensitive biologics, control, reducing the risk of temperature
which require cold chain and tempera- excursions. Specialised packaging solu-
ture monitoring services development, tions such as active, passive and hybrid
there is a substantial set of growing gaps packaging, improve temperature stability.
and risks that will need to be addressed. The demand for "Implementing comprehensive quality
The demand for precision logistics is management systems and adhering to
only set to grow. Mitigation of risks, precision logistics standards like IATA's Temperature Control
adaptability, and resiliency are key – and is only set to grow. Regulations (TCR), WHO guidelines, and EU
that is built out by taking a multi modal Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guide-
and digital approach. Mitigation of risks, lines have standardised processes, ensur-
"That’s why we are focused on simplify- ing consistent quality and compliance. We
ing and de-risking our customer’s supply adaptability, and anticipate receiving our IATA CEIV for Phar-
chains as much as possible. When you resiliency are key – and ma in 2024, which will further strengthen
marry control and visibility, it allows you our commitment to ensuring the safe
to orchestrate an entire supply chain that is built out by taking and reliable transport of pharmaceuticals
from end-to-end, improving collabora- via air cargo. These advancements have
tion and efficiency, and increasing smart, a multi modal and greatly improved the efficiency, safety,
fast, sustainable decision-making based digital approach. and reliability of pharmaceutical trans-
on real-time data instead of guesswork – portation, and we look forward to further
making logistics a competitive advantage. contributing to future improvements."
With the right network, it also means you Grégory Goba-Blé The global pandemic highlighted
UPS in India
can effectively utilise and divert resources how vital air cargo is in transporting not
from one mode to another in response to ing risks, managing complex logistics only vaccines and medicines but also
disasters or disruptions." across multiple transit points, and ensur- food, PPE and other essential items, adds
Pharma transportation faces several ing full supply chain visibility, says Roehl of Kohlbeck of IAG Cargo. "The industry
challenges, including maintaining strict MSC Air Cargo. showed how it transports vaccines at
temperature control, complying with "The field has evolved significantly with speed to destinations thousands of miles
evolving international regulations, mitigat- new technologies and a deeper under- from its manufacturer. At IAG Cargo, we
8 | JULY 2024 www.stattimes.com