Page 16 - ITLN September - October 2023 for Magzter

Spotlight
Pharma
Logistics

Pharma is not well-known for its durations for any task, analysing best
innovative environmental initiatives. In routes for logistics during any specific
reality, the industry has a long history month and most importantly collecting
of leaving a significant carbon footprint. data base from the medicine unit sent
Businesses must find solutions that about the temperature journey right
prioritise supply chain resilience and from the start until it reaches the
sustainability while meeting basic patient thus determining if the medicine
safety standards. was kept in the required temperature.
“To make vehicle transportation A successful usage of a drug from a
more sustainable for the delivery of manufacturer is only possible if the drug
perishables and pharmaceuticals, doesn’t lose its potency, thus impacting
several measures can be taken. One the performance of the drug on the
approach is to adopt new technologies critical patient,” said George.
that promote efficiency and reduce
emissions. This could include the use of Until we don’t remove Evolving Trends
cleaner fuels like compressed natural it from our minds The pharmaceutical cold chain logistics
gas (CNG) or the gradual shift towards that the cold chain sector is transitioning from traditional
electric-run vehicles and charging units. to modern warehouse facilities. One-
By implementing these changes, the facilities and the cold time use and multi-use temperature-
industry is already witnessing a shift room monitoring controlled boxes are becoming
towards reducing carbon footprints documentation need increasingly popular for transportation.
and promoting a more sustainable only to be ready Apart from that, there are certain
transportation system,” said Handa. during an audit we developing trends that are becoming a
“Reefer trucks need to move towards will never be able to part of the sector's progress in India.
electric vehicles for short distances, “New trends in cold chain logistics are
use cargo railway network for long change the system. live tracking data loggers, reusable cold
distances by placing the referred truck Arnold George chain packaging solutions, development
on the carriages and thus minimising TPC Packaging of a central pharma storage and
the fuel usage and creating a dedicated distribution warehouse for domestic
platform for sending part load in temperature-tracking systems that and export shipments, use of drone
reefer vehicles across the country utilise AI to ensure the integrity and technology for deliveries and logistics
is a step towards reduction of fuel safety of pharmaceutical products. companies conducting training for cold
consumption,” said George. During vaccine distribution projects, chain handling teams. Multi-mode
“In addition, IoT-enabled vehicles we were able to successfully monitor transport for shipments are getting
may provide real-time tracking and this. However, the adoption and implemented for domestic and export
monitoring for both the vehicle and implementation of these technologies shipments. In the next few years, we will
its cargo. Through IoT applications, by the pharmaceutical industry as a also see the implementation of advanced
this includes monitoring temperature whole is still a question, and further PCM +5 for passive packaging solutions,
control, guaranteeing correct handling, exploration is needed to determine which will replace dependency on active
and maintaining accurate inventory how well the industry can absorb and solutions,” said George.
records,” Bose added. integrate this technology into their The market for temperature-sensitive
processes,” said Handa. commodities is likely to expand in
AI for Temperature History “Thanks to advancements in AI, the future, and new infrastructure
Adoption of technology in cold storage robotics and technology, we are and technical advances are being
warehouses has become significant in witnessing a transformation in last-mile implemented to improve the efficiency
the pharma supply chains. Integrating deliveries within the pharmaceutical and dependability of cold chain logistics.
these technologies with existing supply chain. This innovation extends “Digital adoption across cold chain
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to the use of drones and compact networks for the pharma sector has
can improve real-time temperature temperature-controlled vehicles. These emerged as an effective tool to build
monitoring and control dramatically. advancements enable timely deliveries an organised, green, robust and agile
Can AI help in retaining the to even the most remote locations, pharma cold chain that is ready to
temperature history of the medicine all while maintaining the integrity of support the business ecosystem of
from the moment it leaves the the product by preserving the optimal a nation. Supported by policies like
manufacturing facility until it reaches temperature conditions throughout the the National Logistics Policy, and the
the patient, as tracking the medicine entire journey,” said Bose. rising global demand for India-made
temperature during transit is important? “AI completely works on past vaccines, the growth of the sector is just
“Yes, AI can play a significant data and thus can 90 percent of the picking up, and setting the right digital
role. With the advancements in time successfully predict the future infrastructure would be the first step
technology, we now can implement results. AI can be used in areas of time toward the future,” said Bose.
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