Freight forwarder TNT Express has launched PharmaSafe, a specialized temperature-controlled service for transporting large quantities of pharmaceutical products, such as vaccines and insulin.
PharmaSafe is designed to tackle the main problem facing pharmaceutical supply chains: the lack of control and visibility inherent in the involvement of too many parties. Most risks occur when shipments change hands and include damages to packaging, customs clearance delays, and temperature deviations, which can incur major costs for pharma companies and affect product efficacy. According to the World Health Organization, every fourth vaccine reaches its destination in a degraded state because of incorrect shipping.
“PharmaSafe will simplify and secure the international movements of high-value, often life-saving, pharmaceutical products requiring strict temperature control,” TNT Express said in a press statement.
With the new service, TNT controls the full supply chain, from packaging procurement to delivery. It uses its own aircraft, handling stations, collection and delivery networks, as well as in-house customs clearance staff.
The service comes with the va-Q-tainer, a high-performance, cost-efficient and reusable passive container. “Va-Q-tainers are capable of maintaining the required inside temperature (frozen, refrigerated or controlled room temperature) for more than 120 hours without electrical power supply or dry ice, even in extreme outside temperatures,” TNT said.
PharmaSafe offers real-time tracking of location and temperature from end to end. Sensors measure the temperature of the shipment not only inside, but also outside the va-Q-tainer throughout the transport, and during flights.
TNT Express offers the service on the routes where it uses its own fleet and is available between Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States, as well as within Europe.
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