The Cold Chain Global Forum – what’s in it for me?

Dear readers and colleagues in the Pharma Cold Chain arena, I am pleased to be initiating a regular article with Cold Chain IQ, discussing the issues, challenges, and opportunities of shipping temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products throughout the cold chain from manufacturer to end-customers. As many of you know, I will draw from my many years of experience and provide my thoughts and ideas from a manufacturer-logistics perspective in laymen’s terms that make sense to the novice and / or the advanced practitioner. Over the years I have stayed true to my core principles of maintaining product integrity, understanding the value of the partner provider relationship, promoting transparency of information, and the overriding notion that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". I believe not only in the strength of the partner relationship but also in the mutual strength of the relationships between all partners to deliver positive outcomes for the client. In this way, the collective partners collaborating with the client develop solutions not only for that benefit that relationship but also benefit the client base or industry, creating win-win outcomes.

To begin, and as you are perhaps considering whether to attend the upcoming Global Forum in Boston in Octobe r, Cool Chain Europe in Frankfurt in January 2016, or another, let me provide you with some very good reasons to attend. Maybe you are a first time attendee or maybe you are a long time attendee like me and are thinking you’ll skip this one. Well, I have been a regular attendee and contributor to these conferences for more than 10 years now and can honestly tell you I learn something new each time I go.

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From the beginning, we were all learning about the mechanics and science of keeping product within temperature, innovations that have seen passive solutions that need a rocket scientist to put together to phase change materials that maximize payload with simpler design. We’ve seen innovations in active containers that can provide ongoing temperature integrity. Integrators, freight forwarders, airlines, and other logistics providers have embraced the need for end to end solutions. We have seen increased security measures balanced with existing pharmaceutical regulatory compliance to create an unbroken chain. Regulatory agencies around the world are further addressing this by requiring compliant processes through SOP’s and increased training, controlled and monitored with increased auditing. The need for continuous monitoring and the ability to make corrections in-transit are a reality. All of these initiatives and requirements have become part of the risk management process. Consider the alternatives, what are the chances of failure to your product, to your customer, to your reputation, if you have not taken the necessary steps to ensure a safe and secure transit of your products? Take some time, review the agendas, plan your visit, listen to presenters for best practices and methods including how strong relationships play a key role and how processes need to be repeatable and sustainable.

These conferences have become increasingly popular because we now understand that integrity of the cold chain is key in a successful supply chain that extends from the manufacturer to the end user. The theme of this years’ conference in Boston is "Where Product Integrity Meets Value". We are all being asked to create a compliant process or solutions but at the same time keep an eye on cost. Well, what is your risk tolerance? Perhaps you have a finite supply or your products are extremely expensive. This is where the risk management equation comes into play. You want to create a balanced approach that addresses compliance, risk, and cost, what I refer to as a "Cost Effective" solution. This doesn’t mean it’s rock bottom cheap, this means you have addressed the necessary integrity and risk issues and created a compliant solution or process that has predictable costs in line with your tolerance for risk.

As you prepare to attend (at this point I hope you have decided to come), do yourself a favor and prepare with this "to do" list;

· Do your homework – understand your Cold Chain Plan or Strategy

· Determine your needs initially – involve related departments in your organization (Logistics, QA, RA, Validation, Procurement)

· Are you looking for a box, a pallet, passive / active, domestic logistics, international logistics

· Do you have a budget in mind? (keep in mind the risk management equation)

· Do you want a custom or off the shelf solution? (many providers today can customize a ready-made solution to your needs)

· Remember "junk in, junk out" – a solution is only as good as the criteria used to create it

· Review the agenda in advance – plan your visit

· Look for case study presentations where real life issues were resolved through collaboration

· Research some potential provider websites – seek out industry experts

· Visit the exhibit hall – meet with exhibitors – have them explain what their solutions can and CANNOT do

· What is the provider offering? – will they be there for the development, execution, and post shipment analysis?

There is a famous quote out there "an educated consumer is out best customer". Well, the more information about your needs you bring with you, the better experience you will have at the conference.

If you need further justification, look at the Boston Global Forum brochure on-line, there are ten more compelling reasons to attend.

So, if you haven’t already, get to the website or give them a call today, sign up and start planning to create the cold chain outcomes for your products your company is asking of you. Good luck!