Understanding the Life Sciences Supply Chain
Efficient and safe transportation is crucial for life science items. From pharmaceuticals to medical equipment and biologicals, these shipments require seamless transportation on a tight timeline – especially in medical situations when quality is crucial.
Life sciences and pharma logistics require high-touch transit that medical facilities, labs and other institutions depend on for daily operations. Shippers must navigate vastly different temperature and packing requirements, strict schedules and various modes of transportation to securely deliver life science products.
When every moment matters, selecting the right logistics partner becomes even more critical. Effective life science logistics reduces product risk and keeps companies’ schedules on track, benefitting both the recipient and the company receiving life science items.
3 Things You Need From Life Sciences Logistics Providers
It’s important to partner with an experienced logistics provider to meet the diverse, time-sensitive and often temperature-sensitive needs of your life sciences shipments. In addition to industry experience and expertise, you’ll want to find a life sciences logistics provider with these capabilities:
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Versatile Solutions and Updated Equipment
From chemicals to medical devices, life sciences is a wide-ranging vertical with a long list of product needs. Whether it’s temperature reporting, GPS tracking, reefer trucks, temperature-controlled facilities or anything in between, successful shipments start with well-resourced shippers.
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Dedicated Customer Service
Customer service and communication offered by shippers makes up a critical component of well executed life sciences logistics. Companies that provide extensive value-added services (such as white-glove delivery and product repackaging), 24/7 control tower supervision and expertise, high-tech shipment monitoring and dedicated inventory management stand out as ideal partners for challenging life science shipments.
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Proper Life Sciences Credentials
When partnering with a logistics provider for life science shipments, make sure they are trained to handle these highly regulated products. While specific compliance and federal requirements depend on the shipment, important credentials include:
- C-TPAT, IATA and TAPA Certifications enable effective customs brokerage management and efficient, wheels-up cargo clearance for life science imports into the U.S.
- Registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- TSA-Certified Cargo Screening Facilities
- Good Distribution Practices (GDP) Certification
How can AIT help me with Life Science logistics?
AIT offers decades of life science logistics expertise, combining a dedicated global staff, compliance knowledge (including customs brokerage as well as FDA and USDA regulations) and cutting-edge technology to securely transport your products. From pharmaceuticals to hazardous chemicals, we have shipping experience across life sciences verticals – extending to pharma product launches and large-scale moves of entire research labs.
We maintain safe transit across the supply chain, offering dependable delivery for your important shipments. With constant monitoring, extensive global resources and life science expertise, we work with you to ensure efficient, successful deliveries.