Complex pharmaceuticals fuel global growth of temperature controlled logistics

Global spending on healthcare to reach about USD 1.3 trillion by 2018; DHL Global Forwarding research highlights critical need for next generation cold chain A new generation of cold chains needs to be developed for the life sciences and healthcare industry to improve global health standards, according to new research by DHL Global Forwarding. DHL’s […]

Complex pharmaceuticals fuel global growth of temperature controlled logistics

Global spending on healthcare to reach about USD 1.3 trillion by 2018; DHL Global Forwarding research highlights critical need for next generation cold chain

A new generation of cold chains needs to be developed for the life sciences and healthcare industry to improve global health standards, according to new research by DHL Global Forwarding. DHL’s white paper “The Smarter Cold Chain: Four essentials every company should adopt” highlights the critical challenges facing the healthcare industry as global demand for expensive structurally complex and temperature-sensitive biologics and specialty drugs grows. This latest report was published during DHL’s 15th Global Annual Life Sciences & Healthcare conference, held in Hamburg, Germany from June 15 to 17.
According to the research, smarter cold chains must be consistent and robust, incorporating ways of mitigating risk and loss, with strong contingency capabilities and proactive problem-resolution processes.
Most importantly, they must be built on four key essentials:
– A highly specialized and compliant network tuned to moving products efficiently, while protecting their integrity
– Globally consistent processes – policies and procedures that mitigate risk
– Risk-appropriate packaging – technology, cost appropriate, perfect handling
– Total cost strategy – includes assessing risk and the real cost of failure to the company
On their way to the “next-generation” cold chain, pharmaceutical companies should implement a third essential into their supply chain, the report says. This tackles packaging and finding the right balance between costs and risk. Today, shippers can choose between passive and active solutions. When making their decision though, manufacturers must consider a wide range of factors, such as the value of the product, its temperature-management needs, regulatory compliance requirements, customer and market risk, as well as total cost.
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