Experts pinpoint mistakes that risk breaking pharma supply chains

In Pharma Logistics IQ’s most recent research, almost 35% of temperature controlled logistics professionals surveyed admitted they need to hold more collaboration meetings between supply chain stakeholders 

The research gathered insights from 150 temperature controlled logistics professionals. Findings revealed that a large segment of professionals need to improve collaboration efforts regarding the distribution of medicines.

Many in the industry have ventured to state that the pharma industry is behind other sectors when it comes to collaboration. A bad fit in a pharma logistics partnership and lacking collaboration measures in extreme cases results in product loss.

Luiz Operations Manager -External Manufacturing Latin America Head at Bayer said “Sometimes stakeholders are preoccupied with their own results and pain points and don’t check for the  consequences on the whole chain.

“All stakeholders must integrate into each part of the complete supply chain, working together to achieve the final customer’s objectives.”

Trust 

Cold chain partnerships are largely a matter of trust. Once cargo is handed to a forwarder or carrier, shippers must rely on their partners to safely steward their temperature-sensitive products through the cold chain.

Effective, reliable partners should show low levels of wasted product from supply chain errors, because a tested and refined process best controls temperature fluctuations.

The supply of investigational medicines is filled with risk due to the high cost but low availability of the  products being transported.

"With misunderstandings and assumptions being made, a lot can go wrong.”

 In regards to how can tight collaboration measures save costs in clinical trial supply chains  Guy Hoskens, Clinical Supply Chain Logistics Expert at Janssen said “A tighter control on the supply chain will ensure less process deviations take place – for instance temperature excursions.

“Everyone within the supply chain must be clearly informed and aware of expectations. Documentation and relevant service level agreements are also key. If all parties are well communicated to and are up-front about expectations, I think there would be a vast improvement. With misunderstandings and assumptions being made, a lot can go wrong.”

Emerging markets

The daunting cultural learning curve involved with entering an emerging market is made achievable with a trustworthy local expert. Therefore, shippers should consider whether a potential partner’s network is sufficient to meet market requirements.

Collaboration is key in maintaining a standard to ensure consistency and reliability. This is critical as regulations and guidelines become more precise.

Pharma IQs Temperature Controlled Logistics 2018 Market Report will be available shortly. In the meantime read our ebook on Partnership mistakes that risk a break in your cold chain.