Supply chain & logistics Global cold chain market exclusive of vaccines and Covid-19 therapeutics
Global cold chain pharma market (exclusive of vaccines)
Volume SUs Bn
2,413 All others 39% SU 6bn Hormones 6% 17% Antidiabetics 38% 99.8% 20% 32% Dermatology 2021 Cold chain
records, giving all stakeholders confidence in the integrity of the supply chain. With the global pharmaceutical manufacturing market projected to reach $863.6bn by 2030, the demand for sophisticated logistics and storage solutions has never been greater. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by an increasing need for biologics and personalised medicine, which require stringent temperature controls.
Challenges in the cold chain “The biggest challenges in maintaining efficacy when transporting temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals include ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, such as Good Distribution Practice (GDP),” highlights Tiffany Brewer, senior director and industry strategist in Pharma and Life Sciences at Blue Yonder. “The multifaceted challenges that arise when transporting these delicate products, and tracking all critical conditions like temperature, humidity, light exposure, and vibrations.”
Ensuring the products remain within prescribed temperature limits while also accounting for external variables requires meticulous tracking. Brewer points out that the moments of transition – when products move from storage facilities to transport vehicles from one distribution hub to another – are particularly vulnerable periods. “Some of the most challenging times
Considerations for pharma and logistics companies ■ Logistics
— Capture the value in a rapidly growing market segment — Limit temperature fluctuation during last mile delivery
■ Environmental
— Use of greener fuels and passive cooling — Manufacture closer to patients
■ Biomedical innovation — Optimise drug formulation to improve stability — Explore new drug delivery systems
Source: IQVIA. 0.2% 2021 Ambient
Source: IQVIA EMEA Thought Leadership; IQVIA MIDAS MAT Q4 2021; Rx-only; IQVIA Analytics Link; Global Medicine and Spending Trends - Outlook to 2026. Report by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science.
can be during transitions from the distribution centre or manufacturing plant to the method of transportation and vice versa, due to potential exposure to ambient conditions and logistical complexities.”
The integration of smart packaging has been a game changer in the sector. Brewer notes that technological advancements in packaging now allow for real-time tracking of environmental conditions, ensuring that products remain within required parameters throughout transit. “Today’s latest advancements in packaging for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals focus heavily on sustainability and technological integration,” she says. Some of the most innovative solutions include temperature-controlled packaging that can adjust dynamically in response to external fluctuations. Sustainability has also become a major focus, with companies increasingly turning to recyclable and reusable materials that not only preserve product efficacy but also reduce environmental impact. Brewer observes that “newer insulation technologies, such as vacuum-insulated panels, provide insulation using less material, resulting in increased sustainability”. Moreover, advances in phase change materials (PCMs) have allowed for better thermal regulation, extending the time that pharmaceuticals can remain within a controlled temperature range without active cooling. This is particularly valuable in remote or underdeveloped regions where refrigerated transport options are limited. The implementation of these technologies has contributed to an estimated 20% reduction in spoilage-related losses for pharmaceutical companies. Speaking on the pharmaceutical sector’s response to Covid-19, Singh underscores the critical importance of resilience in supply chain management. “Covid-19 sent a loud and clear message of the importance of planning,” he states. “Moreover, it emphasised the need to be well-armed with the latest technologies to bolster your supply chains with technologies to afford supply chain resilience.”
44 World Pharmaceutical Frontiers /
www.worldpharmaceuticals.net Antidiabetics 68%
Value US$ Bn
1,187 All others 27% $384bn 23% Oncology 30% Immunology
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