DHL is continuing to ramp up its Life Sciences and Healthcare services offering to meet expected growth in generic medicine consumption in Latin America.
In light of recent efforts made by Latin America’s governments to provide citizens with access to healthcare and an increase in the 65-and-over population, the use of generic drugs has grown exponentially within the region.
While generic drug consumption is increasing at different rates across the region, it is highest in Brazil and Mexico, the largest pharmaceutical markets in Latin America. In Brazil, generic drugs account for 20% of the pharmaceutical market in the nation. Other countries with an increase in consumption of generic drugs include Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.
“We have seen customers in the pharmaceutical industry shift, where possible, from requesting the standard air freight transportation option to utilizing our ocean freight service,” said Marco Quiros, director of business development and regional head of Life Sciences & Chemical for DHL Global Forwarding. “This shift is driven in part to increased fuel costs and the environmental benefits ocean freight provides by generating less CO2 emissions.”
DHL Global Forwarding offers cold chain systems for air and ocean as well as road freight with packaging materials and procedures to help maintain the product’s temperature range and integrity. The company also offers transportation sourcing and management; visibility and shipment tracking; short lead times; and dedicated handling. The firm’s Ocean Secure product provides enhanced customized security through GPS technology, mobile, or satellite network devices to meet increased security demands.
To provide services for generic drug producers, DHL established systems to manage quick turnaround times and all of the challenges faced when delivering medicines, including storage, flexibility, security, regulation requirements, and multi-temperature warehousing.
Ocean freight provides cost savings but is not a good fit for shipment of all products, including those with a short shelf life or requiring rapid deliveries. It is good for semi-finished products, pills, or active pharmaceutical ingredients.
“We are investing in this sector by establishing Life Science Competence Centers so we can deliver the most effective solutions aligned to meet the needs of this particular sector that requires flawless end-to-end transport,” said Angelos Orfanos, president of DHL Life Sciences & Healthcare.
DHL Global Forwarding has more than 20 Life Science Competence Centers worldwide, with about 10 more expected to open by the end of 2011. The centers are designed to provide a controlled environment specifically for shipping pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical devices.
Access www.dhl.com for more information.
