PCI 7 November 2023, 15:44
Temax_Krautz
Owen Mumford 12 January 2022, 17:40

Current Edition

What Does the Future of Temperature-controlled PharmaSupply Chain Look Like and How Do We Shape It?

Importance of Airfreight for the Pharma Industry

Airfreight plays a vital role in the pharmaceutical industry, especially for economically export-oriented countries like Switzerland. Throughout the pandemic, air cargo actors specialized in the efficient transportation of high value and care-intensive shipments played a crucial part in ensuring the distribution of vital vaccines and medical supplies, including masks. This highlights the essential role of airfreight in times of necessity.

The transportation of these shipments requires careful consideration of several crucial factors, including service excellence, dependability, swiftness, security, and meticulous temperature regulation. Also, transporting these highly sensitive shipments with limited lifespans demands reliable services and clearly defined processes. Due to the product’s lifespan, it is very important to offer a stable and reliable network. This should be complemented by quick turnaround times, short acceptance times, and rapid execution of transfers and deliveries.

The Future of the Pharma Logistics Industry

What can we expect in terms of the future development of such shipments? The pharma and healthcare transport business grows continuously, offering many opportunities as well as challenges. In addition, customer demands will continue to grow and get more complex in the future; as a result, all actors involved will need to ensure their preparedness to offer solutions that correspond to these changing dynamics.

For example, to address the present and expanding trends within the industry, all actors involved would need to actively engage in industry forums, conferences, and collaborations. This will ensure they remain informed about the most recent developments and play a role in shaping forthcoming standards and practices.

In the area of the temperature-controlled pharmaceutical supply chain, we can expect significant advancements and transformations in the future, driven by (1) technological innovations, (2) regulatory changes, and industry demands regarding (3) sustainability, (4) resilience, (5) education & collaboration.

Below we will dive into these trends and factors that could shape the future of the pharma logistics sector, along with strategies to proactively shape this state.

  1. Technological Advances

First of all, technological advances such as digitalisation are bringing changes with them:

  1. Advanced Temperature Monitoring and Control

The supply chain landscape has evolved through the integration of IoT sensors for real-time monitoring of temperature and environmental conditions during storage and transportation. This technology, coupled with data analytics and AI, ensures continuous oversight and prompt intervention in case of temperature deviations, enhancing the reliability and visibility of the entire supply chain. This synergy of IoT and AI marks a significant advancement in supply chain management, minimising risks and optimising processes.