Evolving From Cold Chain Logistics Management To Cold Chain Logistics Control

Particularly for companies involved in the life sciences, the entire field of cold chain logistics has undergone significant changes in a relatively few years. It has evolved from essentially a commodity service to a tightly regulated strategic factor in the R&D process.

Life science products, whether fine chemicals, medicine and other supplies for clinical trials or biological study samples, may represent significant investments of time and resources, not to mention their value to patients in treatment or those depending on the results of a trial.

When human lives rely on the contents of a delivery, shipping management is no longer sufficient. Proactive preparation of logistics plans, continuous monitoring, constant communications with stakeholders, and global oversight from pick up to delivery is essential to protect the patient and satisfy regulatory authorities. Manufacturers are accustomed to meticulous quality assurance at every step of the manufacturing and packaging process; they can afford to be no less diligent in the logistics chain of custody.

In this paper, we'll take a look at the factors affecting time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals and biologics and define what the new pharmaceutical supply chain will look like in the next few years.