How pharmaceutical couriers benefit from refrigerated van hire

Picture of Andrew Hill

Andrew Hill • Nov 25, 2015 • Refrigerated

Smarter cold chains will improve global wellbeing in the near future, but only if they evolve to meet the needs of modern life. With refrigerated van hire, healthcare organisations can improve the safety of patients, while helping businesses improve their bottom line.

A new white paper by logistics company DHL highlights the growing global demand for expensive, temperature-sensitive biologics and specialty drugs. Specialised and compliant transport networks are essential to deliver these medicines to patients safely, creating a demand for new refrigerated vehicles which meet the latest pharmaceutical specifications.

Refrigerated vehicles can change the world

During DHL’s 15th Global Annual Life Sciences & Healthcare conference in Hamburg, Germany, Group CEO Frank Appel explained: “Astounding developments in the life sciences industry coupled with globalisation means there is an opportunity for better health, pain relief and cure from disease for many millions of people around the world.”

“But getting the medication to patients in the right condition and achieving that goal requires a complex balancing of cost and risk. It emphasises yet again the strong link between trade, logistics and the impact it has on improving people's lives.”

Transporting specialty drugs

Medicine can be extremely sensitive cargo, and product integrity is essential. Stored at the wrong temperature, various medications can become ineffective or even dangerous to patients.

Specialty drugs and biologics represent two of the fastest growing market sectors in healthcare today. These highly sensitive pharmaceuticals bring complexity to the supply chain, as they have very specific temperature tolerances and high costs. According to DHL, annual per-patient treatment can cost over US$100,000.

Nevertheless, global demand for these complex pharmaceuticals is expected to fuel around a 60% growth in the temperature controlled logistics market, which will reach a total value of US$13.4 billion by 2020.

Healthcare organisations and pharmaceutical couriers require new refrigerated vehicles to transport specialty drugs and biologics safely. We specialise in pharmaceutical specification models, complete with the latest cold chain technologies on the market, including highly accurate temperature monitoring devices.

Download the Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Pharmaceutical Transport Operation >

Protecting against potential losses

Companies will consider the direct costs of vehicle acquisition, but often fail to consider a range of indirect costs such as potential product loss, brand risk and regulatory penalties.

 “Collapsed cold chains… can result in loss of a shipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars,” says Angelos Orfanos, President of Life Sciences & Healthcare for DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. “Over the longer term, this can lead to a damaged reputation, slumping sales, potential share value and even pose a risk to patients.”

Smart cold chains therefore need to be accurate and reliable. Enterprise Flex-E-Rent offer pharmaceutical specification vehicles with back-up facilities, to keep your refrigerated box body powered in any emergency situation.

We also provide new refrigerated vehicles on a range of hire terms, so customers can access the highest quality vehicles at the most affordable price.

Experts on refrigerated van hire

Lisa Harrington, author of the research, recommends that companies find logistics service providers with the right infrastructure already in place. 

“As providers of life-saving products, life sciences and healthcare companies have a responsibility to protect the lives of patients,” Harrington explains. “Partnering with the right logistics provider can ensure that.”

Orfanos concludes, “In the simplest terms: better logistics can contribute to better healthcare.”

Here at Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, we have refrigerated van hire experts who really understand the demands of the pharmaceutical cold chain. Get in touch with your local depot today, and find out more about refrigerated van hire for your business. You may also be interested in our free guide to growing your pharmaceutical transport operation. Download it for free below.

vehicle-hire-expert-van-padding

Get the commercial vehicles you need, when you need them

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

pin icon Head office

Flex-E-Rent House,
Knights Way,
Battlefield Enterprise Park,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire
SY1 3AB

T: 0800 328 9001
E: FER_info@ehi.com