Regulatory compliance & multimodal-ambient controlled cargo two major concerns of pharma supply chain in India: Expert

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Regulatory compliance and handling of multimodal & ambient controlled cargo are the two major concerns in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The industry follows strict rules, such as good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good distribution practices (GDP), that assure product safety and quality, said Vaibhav Vohra, managing director, Continental Carriers.

Compliance with these rules across the supply chain is critical, which becomes a much bigger challenge in ambient controlled cargo where the requirement of appropriate infrastructure along with skilled manpower is crucial. Moreover, any sudden change in mode of transport, for customs cleared goods, to meet the consumer demand attracts bureaucratic processes, where such goods are required to be retracted and exported again through another mode. Such kind of situations lead to unnecessary delays, he added.

The other challenges include demand forecasting, inventory management, supply chain visibility and traceability, risk management, track-and-trace implementation, and sustainability considerations. These variables need the development of specialized infrastructure, modern technologies, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of pharmaceutical products while ensuring regulatory standards and resolving environmental issues, Vohra told Pharmabiz in an email.
 
Globalization has helped in bringing both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it allows access to a wide range of resources and markets. On the other hand, it infuses complexities regarding regulatory compliance, transportation logistics, and managing risks associated with diverse suppliers and locations, he stated.

Trends in pharmaceutical supply chain are on-demand delivery, packaging automation, blockchain for counterfeit medicine, end-to-end data traceability and resilience in supply chain.

On-demand delivery is booming in healthcare as online home care providers offer convenient distribution services. Point-of-care diagnostics, online pharmacies, and remote monitoring will continue to grow. Pharma companies can adapt to customer demands with agile on-demand distribution, providing personalized healthcare experiences, he said.
 
Further, smart manufacturing practices are automating various processes like packaging and reducing errors, risks, and costs while improving productivity. Also usage of blockchain technology not only mitigates compliance risks but it eventually helps in identifying and stopping counterfeit pharmaceuticals from entering the supply chain, assuring patient safety. Using AI and big data for medicine delivery provides better decision-making, forecasting, and patient-centric approaches. Higher degree of collaborations with suppliers and initiatives like the Healthcare Industry Resilience Collaborative (HIRC) is supporting supply chain resiliency.
 
To this end, our objective at Continental Carriers is to meet or exceed worldwide industry standards, including USP 1079: Good Storage and Shipping Practices, IATA Chapter 17, and PDA Technical Report 39. We have tailored solutions to offset the pharma product handling challenges. Cargo security is critical and stringent efforts are made to protect shipments along the supply chain. Besides, complete cold chain specialized infrastructure, temperature-controlled storage, and transportation capabilities help us maintain the integrity and efficacy of temperature-sensitive products, said Vohra.

PHARMABIZ.com