Responding to the unique needs of rare diseases

Many new treatments for rare oncology and metabolic diseases are now coming to market and these specialist treatments require specialist logistics.

Very high value, temperature-controlled product, with relatively few, geographically dispersed patients, and unpredictable market demand, require a logistics partner capable of offering a flexible, fast-reacting solution, which both reduces inventory levels and controls costs.

DHL provides a GMP environment for packaging and kitting services at its Regional Distribution Center (RDC) in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and has recently strengthened its assembly and postponement capabilities. It provides an end-to-end service comprising warehousing and regional(EMEA) cold chain distribution; production from naked vials to final product; secondary packaging activities; and final packing. Each element of the process meets different, country specific legal and compliance requirements before finished products are shipped across the region. The benefits for the drug manufacturer are clear: reduced inventory, short response time and having one contract partner for both GMP certified warehousing and distribution.

 

DHL MEDICAL EXPRESS Extends Global Footprint

DHL MEDICAL EXPRESS Extends Global Footprint, an express transport solution specifically tailored for the life sciences industry, is now available in 70 countries globally.

Leveraging the global DHL EXPRESS network, it provides express transport services for timesensitive pharmaceuticals, medical devices and human specimen.

Next to a variety of standard specifications, such as priority handling and in-house customs clearance, DHL MEDICAL EXPRESS offers a certified temperature packaging range ensuring ambient, chilled or frozen product temperature throughout the journey. Dry ice supply and replenishment capabilities are available in most countries of service.

“I see our DHL Medical Express solution being leveraged by customers with high service need at a more cost-effective price point,” says Marco Hogenboom, DHL EXPRESS Head of Industry Life Science and Healthcare, “particularly with regards to medical devices and clinical trials and supplies; but also for specialized pharma, such as drugs that need to be shipped under a controlled environment.”

 

Supporting Life Sciences in the Americas

DHL was a main sponsor of two of this year’s key life sciences events, with a major presence at the Eyeforpharma congress in Miami and the Canifarma conference in Mexico. Canifarma – the Mexican Chamber of Pharmaceutical Companies Conference – was held in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico, in June, with 230 delegates from government, regulatory authorities, manufacturers and pharmaceutical suppliers participating in stimulating discussions and workshops.

DHL was also a sponsor of the marketing and sales excellence Eyeforpharma Congress, held in Miami, Florida in June. With 180 delegates representing healthcare manufacturers from around the world, the focus was mainly on new trends and increasing sales in the Latin American market.

Both events provided customers from the sector the opportunity to engage with DHL Life Sciences and Healthcare experts on their supply chain needs and best practices.