{"id":30225,"date":"2020-11-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/test.tranistics.com\/nvision\/2020\/11\/12\/do-we-have-the-logistics-and-supply-chains-for-rapid-pharmaceutical-distribution\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T08:44:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T08:44:51","slug":"do-we-have-the-logistics-and-supply-chains-for-rapid-pharmaceutical-distribution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/test.tranistics.com\/nvision\/2020\/11\/12\/do-we-have-the-logistics-and-supply-chains-for-rapid-pharmaceutical-distribution\/","title":{"rendered":"Do We Have the Logistics and Supply Chains for Rapid Pharmaceutical Distribution?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s tremendous pressure on pharmaceutical developers and manufacturers to produce a COVID-19 vaccine. But what most people are only now beginning to realize is that even with a viable vaccine, there\u2019s still an exceptional challenge in distributing it. Factors like cold transport, middle mile delivery, warehousing, and more are all question marks as they relate to the global distribution of a vaccine. How will we get a coronavirus vaccine to the far corners of the world quickly and efficiently?<\/p>\n

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COVID-19 as a Proving Ground<\/h2>\n

Although not the first pandemic, COVID-19 is the first of the modern era that will call on global supply chains when a vaccine is handed down. Annual flu vaccines are prevalent around the world and common vaccinations are shipped to far corners of the world regularly; however, nothing compares to the sheer scale of an eventual COVID-19 vaccination \u2014 and the supply chain associated with it. Supply chains will be strained.<\/p>\n

Challenges to Broad Pharmaceutical Distribution<\/h2>\n

Global supply chains exist in every sense of the word; however, few exhibit the tenuous demands of one fit for rapid pharmaceutical distribution. From getting it shipped safely to areas where it can be housed and distributed, to getting it into the hands of those who can administer it via last-mile and middle-mile delivery \u2014 all while climate controlled \u2014 combined with the sheer volume of demand, makes vaccine distribution more than daunting.<\/p>\n

But while they might not exist in a ready-to-deploy strategy, the various parts and pieces of a rapid pharmaceutical supply chain are<\/em> there. The task falls to suppliers, shippers, 3PLs, freight providers, and other members of the supply chain to coordinate a solution. Forethought to every step is paramount and technology will play a vital role in proactive creation of a rapid, global vaccine deployment.<\/p>\n

Leveraging TMS and Technology to Build the Supply Chain<\/h2>\n

While the parts and pieces of a global pharmaceutical supply chain will be complex and many, a robust Transportation Management System (TMS) will be the glue that brings them together. With all the complexities and dynamic variables involved in broad pharmaceutical distribution, an intelligent TMS has the tools to bring flexibility, visibility, and agility to vaccine distribution. For example:<\/p>\n