Strong growth in temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transport in Sweden
As e-commerce of medicines and pharmacy products continues to grow strongly in Sweden - with sales reaching SEK 12 billion last year - a new trend stands out: a sharp increase in demand for temperature-controlled transport of medicines.
- The development is driven by both increased demand for home delivery of medicines and new rules from the Swedish Medical Products Agency," says Linus Aleberg, Head of Quality and Sustainability at Gordon.
Increased demand for home delivery of medicines
In Sweden, e-commerce of medicines and pharmacy products has experienced strong growth in recent years, with total pharmacy e-commerce sales reaching SEK 12 billion in 2023, corresponding to 21 % of the outpatient pharmacy market.
- Half of all new medicines to be launched in the next five years are expected to be chilled medicines, says Linus Aleberg.
The rise of online purchases and the growing proportion of medicines that need to be handled at specific temperature ranges to maintain their efficacy, is leading to a dual demand for logistics solutions that can handle goods safely and efficiently. This is particularly evident at Gordon, which specialises in home deliveries of temperature-controlled goods.
- Things are moving fast now. We see a difference from week to week, where the volumes we transport can double in just a few days," says Andreas Furu, CCO at Gordon.
Temperature-controlled transport of medicines ensures product quality
Earlier this autumn, the Medical Products Agency regulations for the distribution of medicines from outpatient pharmacies and other points of sale. The new rules set clearer requirements for the handover of consignments, self-monitoring of distribution, follow-up of deviations and the use of subcontractors. Something that Linus Aleberg welcomes:
- A prerequisite for pharmaceuticals to maintain their quality is that the distribution of pharmaceuticals is of the same high standard as the manufacturing itself, and here at Gordon we have the right tools for that, says Linus.
Pharmacies adapt to new rules from the Medical Products Agency
For example, under the new rules, a pharmacy order cannot be left in a consumer's letterbox if the quality of the medicine is at risk. The new rules will come into force on 1 November 2025, but Linus Aleberg describes how pharmacies are already choosing to send more items through Gordon's temperature-controlled flow.
- These rules are there to increase consumer safety, and of course pharmacies want to enforce them regardless. For example, a common product like nasal spray cannot be frozen or stored above 25 degrees. It is, of course, best delivered in a temperature-controlled flow and handed directly to the recipient. A letterbox can become a heat trap in the summer or a freezer in the winter," says Linus.
New technology and quality in focus at Gordon
At Gordon, a rigorous quality management system, including real-time temperature monitoring, ensures that all deliveries are handled correctly.
- All consumers have the right to have medicines delivered safely to their doorstep. Here we help pharmacies to create security for their customers," says Linus Aleberg.
