Imbema, supplier of SBS trailer security products, has developed a white paper on the safe and efficient transport of pharmaceutical products such as medicines, vaccines and biologicals. The white paper is free to download and contains not only unique insights which are relevant to pharmaceutical transport, but also practical tips for carriers of temperature-controlled goods and other high-value cargoes.
Why is the focus of the white paper on pharma transport?
The pharmaceutical sector is a unique branch within the transport world and the volumes involved are huge. More than 13,100 registered medicines in Europe accounted for sales of €269 billion in 2020 and this amount is set to increase every year by 5.4% until 2028 (source: Grand View Research). These pharma products have to be transported safely from manufacturers, via wholesalers and pharmacies, to end users and the process is subject to exceptional requirements. Pharma products not only have to be transported under strict temperature-controlled conditions, but also safely! A single trailer can contain millions of euros worth of medicines and this means the transportation of pharmaceuticals represents a unique challenge.
Content of the white paper
The white paper provides a practical guide for carriers who are interested in transporting pharmaceuticals and familiarises them step-by-step with the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines. These European rules are there to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of medicines throughout the logistics chain. The aim is to ensure that patients across Europe can have confidence that transporting medicines does not adversely affect them.
The theoretical explanation is clarified with a number of customer cases in which companies such as DHL and Van Os Healthcare explain how they arrange the transportation of pharmaceutical products and what kinds of things they have to deal with in the process.
A great deal of attention is, of course, also paid to what needs to happen internally at a business before pharmaceutical goods can be sent safely on their way. This involves staff training, awareness with regard to temperature and packaging methods and preventing theft and the latter means learning about warehouse and truck security.
Interesting information for all carriers
What makes this white paper particularly interesting is that many GDP principles are also applicable to other forms of transport. The document is therefore a source of knowledge for any carrier that is looking for ways to make transportation safer and that wants to focus not only on the trucks themselves but on the whole of its business operations. Imbema therefore hopes that this white paper will also benefit carriers outside the pharmaceutical sector.
Free to download
Imbema sees this white paper as a service to its customers and the transport sector and that is why it is free to download. www.imbema.com/pharma-transport