Is Pharmaceutical Transport Quality Being Improved?

Have things changed?
IATA seems to think so. At least that’s the message been given in their May edition of Cargo Tracker which is distributed throughout the industry.

CEIV Pharma Certified or becoming a member of the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) is becoming a much sought after stamp by many of the world’s airlines, airports and handling agents.
With this certification on their books, many hope to become attractive for pharma shippers who move their products by air.

But, the experience of the past couple of years has shown that there are too many loopholes and areas where the pharma supply chain offered by the air cargo industry, is not safe enough and does not offer the quality handling expected by the pharma branch.
That message has come over to IATA, who seem to think that things are and will change to the positive.

Is the pharma branch also convinced?
The May Cargo Tracker goes somewhat into detail on the present status and is convinced that feedback now received from the industry on changes and development, has been positive.
This, they say is particularly evident on the industry expectations in seeing compliance standardisation as well as accountability and transparency across the supply chain.

The IATA view is that “supply chain excellence is achieved as a result of applying procedures that are effective, efficient and that meet customer needs.”
Furthermore, the emphasis is also on “training being paramount to achieving effective implementation.”
The CEIV certification has now become “a must” for airports around the globe in order not to be left out of the game.
However, the question still remains as to how airports, once certified, can cope with the increasing demands for quality from the pharma industry. Furthermore, who is effectively controlling the supply chain in the future.

IATA is putting a lot of positive effort into trying to get the industry into line on quality transportation for pharma products.
Would it not also be of value for all if the pharma industry spokesmen were to air their own views on the “status-quo?”

John Mc Donagh