Kartik Jalan, Founder & CEO, Indicold, highlights the evolving landscape of pharma logistics in India, emphasising regulatory compliance, technology adoption, and cold chain logistics. He discusses challenges, technology’s role, regulatory impacts, and key considerations in selecting logistics partners.
Innovative solutions and technology adoption are crucial for enhancing supply chain efficiency
Over the past decade, India’s pharma logistics landscape has evolved significantly due to regulatory changes, infrastructure development, and tech adoption. There’s a heightened focus on quality, compliance, and efficiency, with an emphasis on cold chain logistics for temperature-sensitive medications. Compliance with international standards like Good Distribution Practice ensures product safety. Technology, including real-time monitoring and blockchain, improves tracking and maintains medicine quality during transit. The primary aim remains to ensure safe and reliable pharmaceutical delivery.
Challenges
Pharma companies face various hurdles in managing supply chains effectively, including regulatory compliance, maintaining product integrity, managing inventory, navigating global supply chains, and optimising distribution networks. Cold chain logistics, stringent quality control, and operational complexities add further challenges. Innovative solutions and technology adoption are crucial for enhancing supply chain efficiency and reliability.
Safeguarding
Pharma companies ensure product integrity and safety during transportation and storage through strict temperature control, specialised packaging, regular quality checks, and tracking technologies. Collaboration with trusted logistics partners ensures adherence to industry regulations, maintaining product quality throughout the supply chain.
Streamlining
Technology optimises pharmaceutical logistics by enabling real-time tracking and temperature control. GPS and RFID systems monitor shipments, ensuring product condition throughout the supply chain. Temperature-sensitive packaging and data loggers maintain the required conditions, preserving product integrity. The use of data analytics and predictive modelling software can help pharmaceutical companies optimise their logistics operations by identifying potential bottlenecks, predicting demand fluctuations, and optimising inventory levels, thus enhancing efficiency and safety.
Regulations
Regulatory requirements profoundly impact pharmaceutical logistics, ensuring product safety and quality throughout the supply chain. Compliance entails adhering to standards encompassing temperature control, packaging, labelling, and documentation, which are crucial for traceability and counterfeit prevention. To meet these standards, companies deploy robust quality management systems, SOPs, and employee training. Regular audits and partnerships with regulatory experts help navigate evolving regulations, mitigating risks like recalls or fines. By prioritising compliance and proactive measures, pharma firms uphold product integrity throughout the logistics process, safeguarding against reputational damage and ensuring regulatory alignment.
Collaborations
When selecting logistics partners for pharmaceutical transportation and distribution, prioritise sustainability, future readiness, and warehouse automation proficiency. Seek partners compliant with regulatory standards like GDP and GMP, ensuring precise temperature control, strong security, and a well-connected transportation network. Evaluate their dedication to environmental impact reduction, recycling, and advanced technology adoption. Responsive customer support and competitive pricing are also essential for a seamless, cost-effective partnership.
