Maria D’Orazio: Going from Local to Global

Maria D’Orazio, Head of Cold Chain Logistics at Novartis Vaccines, joined Cold Chain IQ Editor Andrea Charles, at the 11th Annual Cool Chain Logistics Europe 2012 event to discuss global qualification master plans, going from local to global and investing in the cold chain.

Cold Chain IQ: What are your dos and don’ts for implementing a global shipping qualification master plan?

M D’Orazio: I’m in completely agreement on having the qualificational validation master plan. In fact, we are implementing this in my company because I believe there is the need to harmonise the solutions and the validation. So the concept is from global to local. Harmonising the solution means that you provide local teams with global directives and best practices sharing. You do not duplicate the efforts and you select validated solutions based on local needs.

Cold Chain IQ: What are the challenges you are facing with regards to that? Going from local to global, people have different demands.

M D’Orazio: Absolutely because based on temperature profiles or even some solutions that are not globally present, we can face different challenges in this. So, first of all, you have to design a plan, usable globally as much as possible, but also try to find solutions that are globally present or, at least, by regions, and this is important, I believe.

Cold Chain IQ: What are the challenges you’re currently facing in your own role and how are you seeking to overcome them?

M D’Orazio: In my current role, to keep the integrity of the cold chain for long distances. We have validated the majority of transportation solutions but, based on our strict requirements, we often have challenges in keeping the integrity of the cold chain along the lanes, along the routes. This is my present challenge.

Cold Chain IQ: What areas of the temperature controlled supply chain do you think we’ll see the most investment in?

M D’Orazio: I believe there is need of improvement for some physical areas as cargo areas, especially for emerging markets. I can say for some special markets, like India or Brazil or Russia, bonded warehouse, cargo areas, I personally think that there are improvements ongoing but we are far from standards, and this is an area which needs to be improved soon. In term, in regards to the systems, reliable solutions, especially passive solutions, I personally believe this will be the future, phase change material and so on. There is a lot going on in this moment in this area.

Cold Chain IQ: What do you think the temperature controlled landscape will look like in the next five to ten years? There is a lot more emphasis on ambient profiles at the moment.

M D’Orazio:Yes, I believe based on the new regulations and guidelines ongoing. In fact, we have worldwide more than 35 different guidelines or directives and so on. First of all, there is the need to harmonise these guidelines because there is some confusion because, of course, the cold chain integrity focus increases every day and every country tends to issue their own guidelines. First of all, there is the need to harmonise them. Some pharmaceutical companies need to be prepared, aligned and improve the current solutions for shipping products, but not only pharma companies, also providers and all partners around these controlled temperature shipments.

Cold Chain IQ: Have you enjoyed the event and how you feel it’s gone so rfar?

M D’Orazio: Good news. I believe it’s a complex event, trying to focus on different aspects, regulations, implementations, new solutions and so on. It’s a good way to network with partners and peers and it provides you an overview of ongoing technologies and so on. It’s always good to be here.

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