Page 12 - ITLN May-June 2021 issue for Magzter

Cover Story
Temp-Controlled
Pharma Logistics

Shinde noted that this can open CriticaLog offers distribution solutions
up opportunities for service providers which are authenticated by some of the
to meet the increasing demand for top-end organizations in India through
sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, forward, reverse, strategic stocking, IT
distribution, and last-mile deliveries. integration and other innovative services
However, he is concerned that India and methods,” he said.
also faces several challenges like “CriticaLog’s network is designed
geographical reach and tropical climate. and certified to handle the needs of the
"There’s a need for consistent and temperature-controlled vaccination
seamless cold chain transportation and requirements. We have been moving
storage logistics capability, especially vaccines (hepatitis, polio, tetanus, BCG
for reaching remote areas," he said. etc) for years through multi-modal
Shinde was also very confident transportation and the Covid-19 vaccine
that the Indian pharma cold chain is movement would be an addition to this
well-positioned to handle the mass Using the wide network, mode,” he added.
distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines. He 24x7 online team and
argued that India has an advantage over customizable IT, we Challenges in cold chain
many other countries with the already offer solutions through Cold chain is a very specialized domain
present vaccine distribution mechanism. and integrity of the temperature
"In India, majorly Covid-19 shipments forward, reverse, throughout the supply chain from
are dispatched through the air as of now, strategic stocking and IT procurement of raw material until it
as only a small volume is being moved. integration. reaches the patient is very critical.
Refrigerated vehicles are rarely used. Sujoy Guha Thus logistics companies face many
Once bulk volume starts moving, mostly CriticaLog challenges on the way.
refrigerated vehicles will be used." Guha pointed out some of the main
Sharma noted that most of the challenges in the Indian cold chain
immunisation programmes in India are with an installed capacity of around 30 market as the irregular distribution of
driven by the government and usually million tonnes. cold storage capacity, lack of proper
government-owned infrastructure "While we have to ensure the logistical connectivity support, and the
plays a significant role, especially in the maximum utilization of those cold need for high capital investment.
secondary and tertiary segment. storages, make them equipped for “Still, there is a significant
"Primary movement and buffer vaccine storage and can be used for room for development where there
stocks are stored and transported the vaccination, we also need to create exist insufficient capacities and
through third-party logistics companies small centres with freezers in the underdeveloped supply chains. Most of
like Coldman from the manufacturing remote areas to successfully supply the the cold storages are located close to
site to the state/district headquarter of vaccine," he said. manufacturing bases while there is a
ordering agencies. Post that controls Srinivas N, managing director, lack of cold storages downstream of the
are administered by respective agencies industrial and logistics, Savills India, supply chain,” he said.
on storage, secondary and tertiary believes that India has a series of Sharma opines that, under the
distribution in insulated vans or passive challenges to face while also arguing current situation, the pharma cold
refrigerated boxes," he said. that the government has taken proactive chain is not adequate in our country and
Salvi also believes that Covid-19 measures to address these challenges. needs a complete repositioning.
vaccine distribution is climbing to a new "So far, we have seen some initial "Almost all pharma products
level. challenges including lack of adequate including the healthcare supplement
"With new vaccine candidates receiving cold chain infrastructure, demand for need regulated temperature and
the go-ahead for distribution, with state a more skilled workforce and higher humidity control which has not been
governments given the freedom to cater operating costs for the cold storage strictly followed as of now and we see
to their needs and with private distribution business in India as compared to the large gaps at all levels. The real-time
becoming a new reality, the Indian vaccine western countries," monitoring of each vial or strip needs
distribution scenario is aligning itself with Guha noted that CriticaLog is helping to be done so that the efficacy of the
the rest of the world with great speed and the ministry of external affairs to medicine is maintained," he said.
stealth," he opines. deliver the Covid-19 vaccines and kits Sharma argues that the focus
Huned Gandhi, managing to its neighbouring countries and state should be to develop the cold chain
director air and sea logistics Indian governments in India. infrastructure exclusive for pharma.
Subcontinent, Dachser cited that “Using our country-wide network, "This shall be able to accommodate
India has around 7,000 cold storage 24x7 online logged-on team and a multi-temperature products and
facilities spread across the country highly customizable IT backbone, provide integrated facilities under one

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