Distributing medicine globally with pharmaceutical logistics

We’ve seen that supply chain disruptions can happen at any time. But for people who depend on medication for their quality of life, even a slight hiccup in our supply chain can have devastating consequences. So how does our global Logistics team ensure that patients get the medicine they need when they need it?

Every step of the chain is tracked, analyzed, and monitored to avoid or minimize the impact of any potential disruptions that could happen. And, of course, as issues can happen at any given moment, our experts are always ready to pivot and put the most suitable back-up plan into action. We tracked one box’s journey from Ingelheim to Sydney. Watch the video to learn more.

What role does pharmaceutical logistics have in our operations?

Logistics is crucial to our operations. It ensures that our medicines reach patients who need them in a timely manner. Our global Logistics team is responsible for preparing and shipping medication around the world, adhering to strict quality and compliance rules.

What challenges do we face in pharmaceutical logistics?

Shipping medicine globally is a complex task. Our team has a strict Good Distribution Practice, which includes ensuring the safety of packaging and the reliability of the freight forwarding companies we work with. We also maintain constant shipping conditions throughout the journey, which can take several weeks. Any significant deviation in conditions, such as temperature, can lead to the disposal of the entire shipment.

How do we ensure our products were shipped in the right condition?

We ensure product quality by adhering to strict regulations and our Good Distribution Practice. This includes using a temperature logger inside the shipment box to track the temperature throughout the journey, which informs us if there’s been a major variation, and should therefore be disposed of. We also have multiple backup plans in case of issues occurring at any point in the logistics chain.

What happens if a shipment is delayed?

We have multiple backup plans in place. For example, if a shipment bound for Sydney via sea freight gets delayed, we switch to air shipment to ensure the medication reaches the patients on time.

How does air shipment differ from sea freight?

While shipping via air is faster, sea freight generally offers us a more sustainable option and a more predictable temperature. Altitude changes can cause temperature shifts onboard a plane. To keep it stable, we use a thermal cover on our products to maintain the right temperature onboard. We use a temperature logger for both options.

Interested to join our team of supply chain and operational experts? Take a look at our careers page for opportunities.