Page 16 - ITLN May-June 2021 issue for Magzter

Cover Story
Temp-Controlled
Pharma Logistics

pharma produce and increased use of
RFID technologies for better operations.
On the same line, Sharma noted
that quality, visibility and safety of
the cargo are some of the prime
factors that influence pharmaceutical
manufacturers while choosing their
supply chain partners.
"The cold chain logistics in India
has come a long way in the last
5-6 years and today high-quality
infrastructure on storage and fleet is
available largely across most parts of
the country. However, this does not
essentially resolve the supply chain
issues of pharma companies as their
requirements are not available off-the-
shelf and need a lot of customisation
from a compliance perspective under
the FDA guidelines. Hence, large
players are looking at customised
storage and distribution solutions that
shall integrate all their requirements
already have their presence in this under one facility with requisite
region and Snowman will focus on the licensing approvals," he said.
possibilities of additional business in About his thoughts on the future,
this region. Shinde noted that there is an immense
"Mumbai being the heart of many opportunity for the cold chain logistics
pharma companies' corporate offices, industry to ramp up functions, increase
we will focus on the possibilities transport facilities, open more
of adding more pharma clients, warehouses that can handle big loads
especially those clients who are of temp-controlled medicines, raw
seeking end-to-end organised logistic materials, and devices.
solutions. Being one of the leading "India’s dependence on imports of
players in cold chain logistics in India, many key starting materials (KSM),
we will focus on the growth of our intermediates, and APIs has increased
pharma vertical," he added. Lack of reverse load because of the low-cost advantage
Srinivas informed that Savills India enjoyed by foreign manufacturers,
expects an uptick in investment activity generation leads to especially those operating in China.
for the pharma industry from real demand and supply Companies are looking for end-to-end
estate and private equity funds in rental gaps for fleet operators solutions for their business in India. They
yielding assets, joint venture deals, debt resulting in higher expect to have the best infrastructure
funding and development management. operating costs. with innovative technology, providing
"States such as Gujarat, them cost-effective logistics solutions
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Sanjay Sharma for the smooth functioning of their
Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Karnataka, Coldman Logistics operations in India," he said.
Punjab, Delhi-NCR are likely to attract Guha informed that CriticaLog
sizable investments for land acquisitions Srinivas notes that, at present, has been a logistics partner of global
to set up production facilities, R&D pharma companies are stressing healthcare organizations, to move
bases and other built-to-suit, plug and logistics companies for adoption of at critical radioactive shipments required
play facilities," he said. least five qualities. for medical equipment across tertiary
These are improvement of supply and quaternary care hospitals across
Pharma manufacturers chain efficiency and lowering overall the country.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers being cost, quality and regulatory compliance “We move high-value precious
the clients for logistics companies, it is on supply chain, adoption of Internet of consignments directly to the customer’s
important to understand their motives Medical Things (IoMT) for efficient supply doorstep, by ensuring the highest level
and new trends emerging in their chain control, trusty logistics partnerships of safety, security and following the
production plants. for timely and safe delivery of drugs/ social distancing norms,” he said.

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