Rising requirements are reshaping pharmaceutical logistics
Requirements for pharmaceutical logistics have become significantly stricter in recent years. It is no longer enough to demonstrate that a transport plan works in practice; operators are now expected to be able to show how each individual delivery has actually been handled. Logistics, long regarded as a support function within healthcare, is now undergoing a clear shift, says Jonathan Bratel in GDP Pharma Solutions, Gordon.
"In the past, it was often a matter of arranging individual transport journeys. Now, logistics is treated more as a strategic part of the healthcare infrastructure", he says.
According to Jonathan, demands are increasing from regions, healthcare providers and other players in the healthcare chain.
“What we’re seeing now is that the demand isn’t for transport capacity, but for partnerships. The focus is on coordination, sustainability and preparedness. People want better control over flows, fewer disruptions and more precise deliveries all the way to the last mile.”
Logistics affects healthcare operations
Logistics is often seen as something that happens after a care decision has been made. But in practice, it affects the working environment, availability and how resilient operations are in the face of disruptions. And when deliveries do not work as they should, it has direct consequences for operations.
"When deliveries are late or unpredictable, healthcare staff are forced to spend time chasing supplies and solving problems. That is time that should be spent on patients", says Jonathan Bratel.
To move away from this, a different approach to logistics is required, where transport is not seen as an isolated service but as part of a larger flow.
"That is exactly how we work at Gordon. We don’t just try to arrange a single transport, but to understand the entire flow around it; what needs to arrive, when, in what condition, and how it affects operations once it’s there. These are things you don’t notice when they’re working, but you certainly notice when they’re missing."
The logistics of the future require the right flow, at the right time
This trend is expected to continue at a rapid pace in the coming years. According to Jonathan, the distribution of medicines and samples will become increasingly integrated with other healthcare processes.
"As more healthcare moves closer to the patient, logistics needs to do the same. We will see more time-sensitive deliveries, better traceability and more specialised flows depending on how critical the delivery is."
He does not rule out new technical solutions either.
"In certain regions, for example, we may see drones being used as a complement. But regardless of the technology, the future is about orchestrating the right flow, with the right quality and precision, all the way through."
Key topics at Vitalis
On 4–7 May, the industry will gather at Vitalis in Gothenburg, where Gordon is Key Partner. Here, the discussion will focus on how logistics can evolve from being a background function to becoming an active part of healthcare capacity, and how stakeholders can meet the increased demands for control, traceability and preparedness.
"If you get logistics working properly, you can free up time, resources and quality throughout the entire system", says Jonathan Bratel. "That is what we can demonstrate at Vitalis."
