System logistics provider accelerates access to medicines

The partnership between multinational pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy’s and Dachser began in 2011, in Hyderabad, India, when a supply chain tender was awarded to Dachser India. Soon afterwards, Dachser South Africa delivered the first local shipment and has since supported the continuous growth of Dr Reddy’s in the country.

Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary, Dr Reddy’s South African business has become one of the leading generics manufacturers in the country, with products that focus on key therapeutic areas and specialist care.

Ravie Chetty, head of supply chain at Dr Reddy’s, comments: “We accelerate access to affordable and innovative medicines, led by our core philosophy of ‘Good Health Can’t Wait’. As a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, we have the ethical and moral imperative to ensure good health can be delivered to those who need it and excellent logistics is a critical part of that process. Dachser has been an invaluable supply chain partner as we’ve expanded our operations in South Africa.”

A HIGHLY-REGULATED INDUSTRY

Dachser is a global leader in system logistics. Detlev Duve, Dachser South Africa’s MD, says: “We have successfully been arranging tailor-made transport solutions for Dr Reddy’s for nearly a decade, focusing on the requirements of current and new products in the company’s expanding range. Our services include all air and sea freight imports, customs clearing with off-site cold storage, and subcontracted local deliveries.”

Duve explains that shipping pharmaceuticals is a highly-regulated field and that the life science and healthcare sector has become an important specialist area for Dachser, both globally and in South Africa.

Because the cool chain is vital to the pharmaceutical industry, Dachser ensures that it is carefully monitored from end to end. The use of temperature monitors and ensuring that cargo is moved seamlessly from the main carriage (vessel or aircraft) via cooling stations directly onto refrigerated vehicles is the key to temperature control. Separate checks are done Company MD Detlev Duve, representing en route with Dachser South Africa at the Transport Africa Awards temperature tracking at all loading and unloading points.

“Pharmaceutical products are temperature and time sensitive, requiring meticulous, accurate and high standards in monitoring and handling to ensure product quality is maintained,” he says.

“Our specialist teams are focused on ensuring that temperature control is consistent throughout the entire supply chain to preserve the integrity of the shipment. The security and privacy of pharmaceutical products is also a priority.”

ACCESS TO GLOBAL EXPERTISE

Dachser has global expertise in handling pharma products. The company holds IATA’s CEIV Pharma certification for pharmaceutical shipments on three continents. CEIV Pharma addresses the industry’s need for more safety, security, compliance and efficiency, with the creation of a globally-consistent and recognised pharmaceutical product handling certification. While Dachser South Africa is still in the process of obtaining this certification, it has developed a close partnership with an approved service provider to offer Dr Reddy’s a specialist level of logistics performance at every stage of the local supply chain.

“We draw from a pool of global knowledge and regularly review procedures for handling temperaturecontrolled pharma/life science shipments with our subcontractor. Our employees have the appropriate knowhow and essential training is provided to Dachser staff at regular intervals. We’re looking forward to expanding our client portfolio in this area.” •

STAYING STRONG DURING COVID-19

The social and economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt on a global scale, as millions of people were forced into lockdown, businesses stalled their operations and healthcare systems are pushed to breaking point.

While the pharmaceutical industry has experienced increased bursts of innovation in vaccine development and data sharing, pharma companies have also been burdened with the obligation to maintain supply chains for existing treatments and services. This would not be possible without the support of logistics providers.

For Dachser SA, the main driver is staff commitment. The company has implemented various measures to ensure the health of its employees, who have been on board since the beginning of the pandemic. Its home office staff have also adapted very well to ensure seamless operations and minimal disruption during lockdown. Globally, Dachser’s branches have shown the same commitment, ensuring that shipments are shipped in the best possible way with the shortest transit times possible.

Company MD Detlev Duve, representing Dachser South Africa at the Transport Africa Awards

Did you know?

Dachser SA has agreements with surveillance and security companies to track sensitive and high-value shipments from unloading facilities up to the client’s door. The Dachser electronic customs clearance process also speeds up the transit time by having all customs formalities completed within minutes of arrival.