Bharat Bhushan Rathi, Head of Supply Chain (Planning, Distribution, and Logistics) at Mankind Pharma, shares critical insights on emerging challenges, technological advancements, and strategic solutions to enhance the resilience and reliability of India’s pharmaceutical cold chain.
Real-time visibility and rapid action are essential for cold chain success
With rising global temperatures and stricter regulatory landscapes, maintaining the integrity of the pharmaceutical cold chain is becoming increasingly complex. Bharat Bhushan Rathi points out that while transport validation studies are carried out, they often consider only a limited set of factors. In reality, the external environment is highly unpredictable, and many unseen scenarios can arise during actual transportation. When unexpected conditions are not accounted for, the product is at risk of exposure, compromising its quality. This highlights the urgent need for a more comprehensive and flexible cold chain validation process that can prepare supply chain professionals for unforeseen circumstances.
Technology boost
Technology is revolutionising pharmaceutical cold chain logistics. Bharat Bhushan Rathi highlights that IoT-based monitoring enables real-time tracking, allowing immediate action instead of delayed responses. This live data offers better visibility into ground realities and supports more accurate scenario planning. Centralised control towers further strengthen data integrity across the supply chain. With IoT devices alerting shippers to temperature breaches instantly, such innovations are making the cold chain stronger, more transparent, and highly responsive.
Backup planning
Managing disruptions caused by climate change, power failures, and transportation delays requires proactive backup planning. Rathi underlines the importance of not just building backup systems but also training people on how to activate them swiftly when needed. Every route plan must include an assessment of backup availability and clear instructions for custodians on how to protect the shipment until help arrives. Moreover, collaboration among all stakeholders — including shippers, service providers, authorities, airlines, and security agencies — is vital. A common digital platform tracking the shipment’s health in real-time, though challenging to manage, could significantly improve cold chain reliability.
Last-Mile solutions
Ensuring temperature control in the last mile remains a critical challenge, especially in remote or infrastructure-poor areas. According to Rathi, last-mile delivery personnel must be properly trained and equipped with temperature-controlled bags, boxes, or vehicles capable of maintaining conditions throughout the day. Additionally, smart route optimisation powered by technology can help delivery teams select the best paths to minimise risk. Rathi also recommends that last-mile distances be restricted to around 7–10 kilometres. To support this, a network of small satellite warehouses with cold storage capabilities should be established for quicker replenishments and safer deliveries.
Global insights
While there is no universally adopted international model for cold chain logistics, Rathi notes that high-value and life-saving products globally maintain reliability through complete visibility and strong infrastructure. India’s pharmaceutical industry should take inspiration from these practices by focusing on building transparent, connected, and continuously evolving supply chains. By doing so, India can set new benchmarks for reliability and efficiency in the pharmaceutical cold chain sector.
