The transport of goods for the pharmaceutical industry requires complex logistics given that these are sensitive products which, for the most part, are destined for human consumption in order to ensure and improve their well-being. Safety, traceability and temperature maintenance are essential elements that a 360º logistics operator such as Operinter guarantees through customised services for this type of essential industry.
Based on policies to implement Good Storage, Distribution and Transport Practices for medicines throughout the supply chain, the following aspects should be involved for a quality and effective process in pharmaceutical logistics:
• The implementation of an appropriate Quality Assurance System implemented by a pharmacist.
• Self-inspection and/or quality audit procedures.
• Proper handling, storage and transport of medicines.
These practices ensure that the product placed on the market maintains the characteristics certified by the laboratory, meets international quality standards and determines its safe and effective use.
Keys to quality pharmaceutical logistics
The logistics chain of a pharmaceutical product starts from the moment it is manufactured in the laboratory until it reaches the final consumer. In this process, there are storage activities, transfer to the operator’s distribution centres and final transport to hospitals, health areas or pharmacies.
By means of transport, air and land transport are the main routes for importing and exporting pharmaceuticals. For this reason, they have advances and measures adapted to this sector such as:
1. Security
To guarantee that, during the transport of pharmaceuticals, there are no openings or manipulations that could endanger the end consumer. To this end, preventive methods such as security seals are used to ensure that the goods are not tampered with during transport.
2. Traceability
Knowing exactly where the goods are located, and having evidence that they are received at their destination, determines the quality and efficiency of the logistics process. This can be done through the numbering of the security seals.
3. Temperature monitoring
More than 30% of pharmaceutical products need to be handled and transported at a controlled temperature to avoid damage or alteration. Depending on the medicine or product, the temperature will be one or another, for example, frozen medicines must be kept at -20 degrees, medicines that require refrigeration will need temperatures between 2 degrees and 8 degrees, although there are also products that require to be at room temperature, approximately 20 degrees.
4. Protection from external or cross contamination
The use of fully conditioned logistics boxes protects the medicines, as the plastic material prevents contamination by moisture or other substances that may be spilled along the journey. Control and supervision by the logistics operator of the conditions of handling, storage and temperature are essential to ensure the stability and quality of pharmaceutical products.
Services adapted to cold logistics
Operinter efficiently coordinates the logistics for the transport of perishable and temperature-controlled, ambient or refrigerated products. These characteristics and conditions are essential for the proper maintenance of pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, the system adapted to these conditions covers every link in the logistics chain:
• Refrigerated warehouses at the main distribution points in Spain.
• Sea transport service in reefer containers.
• Atmosphere and temperature controlled shipments.
• Bonded warehouses and bonded warehousing.
The company has specialised staff who will advise you on the requirements and documentation necessary for the import and export of perishable goods, phytosanitary treatments, cold treatment or shipments of products in a controlled atmosphere.