6 minute read
Tranzone Tactics
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 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
company transporting a Pharma product must follow strict protocol and adhere to preset criteria. These include but not limited to the following: • The vehicle or trailer has been validated and certified to carry pharmaceutical products. • The driver has been trained in carrying pharmaceutical products. • The company is a GDP-certified company • The company can produce the T-Mapping* records for each pharma vehicle or trailer • The vehicle is temperature monitored both by the driver and control room of the transport company. • The driver should know what to do in the event of engine failure or temperature deviation. It is the transport company’s responsibility to ensure individuals delivering the pharma product have the appropriate training to be entrusted with the integrity of the product being carried.
5point Check list for Vehicles carrying pharmaceutical products 1. Driver trained in carrying pharmaceutical products. 2. A GDP-certified company 3. T-Mapping* records for each pharma vehicle 4. Vehicle is temperature monitored 5. Expert advice in the event of engine failure or temperature deviation
Temperature and Humidity Monitoring System: Tranzone has implemented the most advanced network base humidity and temperature monitoring and recording system.
This system has Graphic Recorder which monitors and records the temperature and relative humidity, according to preset reading intervals, through a set of sensors which are placed in selected locations according to T-Mapping findings.
Lack of Understanding: However, this is not always the case. In the many years that I have been involved in Pharmaceutical transportation, I have heard and seen the total lack of respect and complacency shown towards compliance and lack of understanding regarding how a product can so easily be compromised.
I have seen a product, ideally to be stored between +2C to +8C during transit, delivered in an open top truck with the outside temp of 30C. The driver had no idea what he was delivering. Lackadaisical, careless observations and comments as exemplified in examples below abound in the workplace. Conversations could typically go like this- • Managing Director:“It is like moving chocolate and confectionery! Nothing special required.” • Transport Company 1:“There’s nothing special required, we have moved pharma in all our reefers.” • Transport Company 2:“Dedicated trucks! Why?” • Transport Company 3: “Are our vehicles T-mapped? What’s that? Do you mean GPS? What is the point of having GDP or GMP (Goods Manufacturing Practice), or the manufacturer stipulating that the product
remains under a temperature controlled environment if this is not what happens? What is the point in the 3PL Warehouse ensuring that the product is stored in a temperature controlled environment, if the transport company thinks it is nothing more than a shipment of chocolates and treats the product the same as a shipment of chocolates? Pharmaceutical products require special conditions, trained drivers, dedicated vehicles, controls in place to ensure that the product being carried reaches its final destination in a safe condition to be safely used.
Considering lives depend on these products arriving safely, the transportation process requires responsible, trained individuals. In most cases the driver has no idea of the potential harm the pharma product being carried could have on the end user. The driver in most cases will have no idea of the incredible value of each pack or box or the financial loss if the product has to be destroyed.
A subsidiary of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia headquartered Banaja Holdings, Tranzone operates a state-of-the-art 3PL warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone. Tranzone has partnerships with leading and big pharma companies around the world.
Utilising a unique one-stop approach, Tranzone centralises logistics, provide storage, provide inventory management, as well as purchasing and re-invoicing to the distributors, all at one convenient location. Tranzone’s capabilities and knowledge are based on six decades of experience in healthcare logistics and distribution in Saudi Arabia. Tranzone
Finding a Reliable Transport Company: Ask the right questions before using a transport company. Check the vehicle records, check the cleaning records, check whether the driver of the vehicle has had adequate training. Ask to see the T-mapping results and more importantly the actions taken to minimize HOT SPOTS!
Ask the transport company to run temperature tracking reports in PDF format not Excel. How many hours do the drivers work? When do the drivers get time off? Can the product move only during the day? This can minimize driver fatigue and reduce accidents. What experience does the company have with pharma products? Are they GDP certified?
Don’t be shy about asking for evidence of company competency! Check out for compliance and Key areas for selection • Reliable service levels • Safety & Security
• Quality • Pharma Experience • Capabilities of the managers/team • Continuous quality and service improvements • Quality of SOPs Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Ensure that SOPs are implemented and strictly adhered to in the following arenas- • SOP - Temperature deviation • SOP -Vehicle breakdown • SOP -Vehicle cleaning • SOP - Driver training records • SOP - GPS failure • SOP -Vehicle accident In the current economic environment, suppliers are being forced to be more competitive, some are cutting corners, cutting costs and cutting service levels, be sure to not just get value for money, strive for excellence in understanding quality control and diligence. It is money well spent in the long run. Marc Carson’s 30 years of experience in the logistics, B2B & B2C deliveries and transport industry has spanned managing UK and Middle East Service Centre operations, to Regional and Director level management.
Now specialising in the pharma industry, Carson heads up the commercial operation with Tranzone Healthcare Logistics based in Dubai. Biography
