The highest risk to the integrity of a pharmaceutical product being distributed in Africa is often at the transit point, according to Ryan Viegas, head of logistics for the Asia Pacific (Apac) region at pharmaceutical company, Teva.
Speaking at the Air Cargo Africa 2017 conference in Johannesburg yesterday (Tuesday), Viegas said that Customs stops at airports often caused “excessive” delays.
“This is especially true in Africa with every country requiring different documentation,” he said.
Remo Hasselmann, regional director: Africa for World Courier suggested that end-to-end visibility, including constant communication by the various supply chain service providers, was the key to managing delays. “Using reliable, experienced partners will always provide supply chain visibility and will ensure the integrity of the pharmaceutical product,” he said.
Uttam Prakesh, regional demand planner at pharma company Rambaxy SA – a division of the global Sun Pharma group – agreed, pointing out that his company always used companies with cool chain shipment experience for their airfreight.
“Cost is a factor but since we generally only ship high-value pharma cargo by air – due to the necessity of speed – we value experience far more,” he said.
Viegas said his company’s priorities when choosing a service provider were firstly compliance with cool chain regulations; secondly service and thirdly, cost.
“I am already paying a premium for airfreight so I’m more inclined to look at pharma-friendly service providers, airlines and airports when making my distribution decisions,” he added.
