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Key requirements

The initial focus of the Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community has been on cold chain management, specifically addressing temperature-controlled shipping requirements. By elevating the standards of pharmaceutical logistics, the community aims to boost overall workforce education and enhance the efficiency of the entire ecosystem.

“If you improve pharmaceutical logistics, then you also improve everything else, because then the whole workforce will be educated, so there’s a big community effort,” Mercader said.

Aiming to firmly make its mark on the pharmaceutical logistics industry and solidify its position as a global hub, Puerto Rico is establishing itself as a premier life sciences air cargo community. With over 50 years of experience in the life sciences sector, Puerto Rico boasts a thriving ecosystem of pharmaceutical and biomedical device companies, supported by a bilingual and highly educated workforce.

“Puerto Rico has a whole community of pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies, Humberto Mercader, Deputy Secretary for Strategic Initiatives at Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio, explained. “If we really want to grow and if we really want to take the next step, then logistics should be top of the bill.”

Recognising the need for enhanced logistics capabilities to foster further growth, the community embarked on a mission to elevate Puerto Rico’s status in the field. To achieve this goal, the community sought expertise from international industry leaders, as well as implementing IATA CEIV Pharma certification standards to ensure top-tier quality throughout the supply chain.

Challenges, however, lie ahead on the path to achieving full standardisation and operational excellence. The community faces the task of harmonising the different standard operating procedures employed by various airports, pharmaceutical companies, forwarders, integrators, and airlines. By establishing standardised practices, the community aims to improve the quality and reliability of the entire airfreight chain, ensuring a seamless flow of life-saving medicines and medical devices.

To overcome these hurdles, the community is actively compiling a comprehensive list of challenges identified by key players within the airfreight industry. This list will serve as a roadmap for focused improvements, ranging from operational procedures to infrastructure enhancements. Addressing airport congestion, a joint effort with state authorities will be crucial to ensure smooth and efficient cargo movements.

Importance underscored

The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in catalysing the drive towards establishing the Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community. The global healthcare crisis exposed vulnerabilities