Road Transportation
Roadblocks in Pharma Transportation The need to streamline and simplify the movement of much-needed pharmaceutical products has never been so vital.
G
ood distribution practices (GDP) certification requires pharmaceutical product handlers to meet stringent World Health Organization (WHO) standards for safety and security. While GDP certification is mandatory in most countries including several in the Middle East, EU pharmaceutical companies and their logistics partners must comply with GDP regulations. In this special contribution, Marc Carson, Commercial Manager, Tranzone UAE, critically examines the issues, challenges, regulations, requirements and criteria confronting pharma transportation and suggests best-practices solutions to overcome problems. He stresses the need for compliance with set practices and
46 MARCH 2020
observance of procedures to ensure best results in the business—Editor.
Transportation and Responsibility
Virtually all countries in the GCC and the Middle East import their requirements of life saving and much needed medicines and pharmaceuticals from production and manufacturing centres outside of the region. When it comes to transportation or warehousing anywhere on the globe, the Pharmaceutical industry is 100% reliant on its product being transported and stored safely and securely in the required environment. This is where a reliable and competent transport or supply chain professional plays
a key role. This official has the responsibility to ensure that the supply chain movement from point of collection to point of delivery for Pharmaceutical products is within the prescribed environment, namely maintaining correct temperatures; requires great understanding of the customer’s needs. Not adhering to the specific industry standards with such a delicate product can have unintended and disastrous results. The consequences of getting the transportation wrong can be the difference between collecting something that will cure or heal, versus something that may potentially be lethal. There are very good reasons why GDP (Goods Distribution Practices) certification and WHO stipulate that each GDP-certified
