Count on us for Pharmaceutical Shipping
An increasing number of companies are opting to ship pharmaceuticals to ensure the quick and safe delivery of medicines and other essential goods. Ensuring optimal shipping of pharmaceutical products is crucial since the products themselves are highly sensitive in terms of time and quality assurance.
Pharmaceutical logistics require adherence to strict regulation codes to ensure that all products, including medication and vaccines, are delivered on time and undamaged. At MSC Germany we pride ourselves on following GDP compliant practices and providing reliable, cost-effective deliveries to any destination.
Shipping with MSC Germany also means you’ll benefit from having access to our vast global network, which connects all the world’s major trading centres and enables you to deliver pharmaceutical support wherever it is required.
Pharmaceutical logistics require adherence to strict regulation codes to ensure that all products, including medication and vaccines, are delivered on time and undamaged. At MSC Germany we pride ourselves on following GDP compliant practices and providing reliable, cost-effective deliveries to any destination.
Shipping with MSC Germany also means you’ll benefit from having access to our vast global network, which connects all the world’s major trading centres and enables you to deliver pharmaceutical support wherever it is required.
How are Pharmaceutical Products Transported?
Pharmaceutical cargo is transported in temperature-controlled reefer containers which allow the consistent management of conditions throughout transportation. At MSC Germany our reefer containers use the most advanced cooling systems, including:
• Primeline®
• Naturaline®
• Star Cool SA
These systems ensure that pharmaceutical products are kept at the required temperature during transit, while dehumidification systems prevent damage or degradation.
• Primeline®
• Naturaline®
• Star Cool SA
These systems ensure that pharmaceutical products are kept at the required temperature during transit, while dehumidification systems prevent damage or degradation.
GDP Compliant Practices
Because of the sensitive nature of the cargo, the shipping of pharmaceuticals needs to be well organised, and best practices adhered to.
Our GDP certification ensures that our processes are aligned with the strict regulations required by the pharma industry. With MSC Germany, your cargo is in the hands of dedicated experts who are trained to offer the right support, advice and documentation whenever and wherever it is needed.
Our GDP certification ensures that our processes are aligned with the strict regulations required by the pharma industry. With MSC Germany, your cargo is in the hands of dedicated experts who are trained to offer the right support, advice and documentation whenever and wherever it is needed.
Seamless and Secure: Elevating Door-to-Door Solutions
We at MSC Germany offer door-to-door solutions that prioritize efficiency and security. By providing reefer containers for export at selected inland depots in Germany, we shorten loading distances and give you more flexibility in choosing intermodal carriers for transport to the seaport. With our door-to-door services, we minimize touchpoints, reducing the risk of theft or damage and improving overall product quality. Trust our team of 25 dedicated reefer experts!
Sustainable Solutions,
Tailored to Your Needs
At MSC Germany, our team of over 80 intermodal and logistics experts will work closely with you to deliver tailored solutions that meet your specific needs while prioritizing environmental sustainability.
With full connectivity to global commercial centers, we leverage cutting-edge technologies to develop haulage services customized for your reefer cargo. This is why utilizing our inland transport services not only saves you time and money but also contributes to reducing your business's carbon footprint.
With full connectivity to global commercial centers, we leverage cutting-edge technologies to develop haulage services customized for your reefer cargo. This is why utilizing our inland transport services not only saves you time and money but also contributes to reducing your business's carbon footprint.
Healthcare Logistics
On land and at sea, we have everything you need to prepare your pharma logistics and supply chain securely from A to Z.
To ensure vaccines and medications are delivered without spoilage, pharma, and healthcare logistics require complete legislative adherence. As well as providing a temperature-monitored pharma supplied chain, at MSC Germany we can also provide support for other healthcare logistics throughout your supply chain by acting as 2PL, 3PL, or 4PL as required.
Important aspects to consider in pharmaceutical shipping
Along with following best practices within the pharmaceutical industry throughout the entire shipping process, there are several important regulations to follow during the transportation process.
These include:
• Ensuring all pharma products are properly packaged and labelled. This mitigates the risk of any cargo breaking or becoming damaged during transit. Having clear labels on products also means that correct temperatures can be monitored and maintained during shipping.
• Licensing regulations. As there are certain licensing requirements needed to ship pharmaceuticals, it is crucial to work with a company like MSC that holds all the necessary licenses.
• The hygiene of shipping facilities. As well as being kept to the required temperate, all containers and storage facilities involved in transporting pharmaceuticals must be large enough in order to allow proper cleaning and airflow to take place shape. At MSC we work hard to consider all aspects of pharmaceutical transportation, from the industry regulations we follow to our reefer container systems and shipping processes.
These include:
• Ensuring all pharma products are properly packaged and labelled. This mitigates the risk of any cargo breaking or becoming damaged during transit. Having clear labels on products also means that correct temperatures can be monitored and maintained during shipping.
• Licensing regulations. As there are certain licensing requirements needed to ship pharmaceuticals, it is crucial to work with a company like MSC that holds all the necessary licenses.
• The hygiene of shipping facilities. As well as being kept to the required temperate, all containers and storage facilities involved in transporting pharmaceuticals must be large enough in order to allow proper cleaning and airflow to take place shape. At MSC we work hard to consider all aspects of pharmaceutical transportation, from the industry regulations we follow to our reefer container systems and shipping processes.
How are you usually audited to be GDP compliant (Goods Distribution Practice)?
Our GDP certification is supported by mandatory internal and external audits. We go through an intense 1st, 2nd and 3rd party audit program, where we audit ourselves (1st party), our vendors and suppliers (2nd party) and we have an external certified body auditing our system (3rd party).
Each audit checks the following elements of our suppliers’ processes and systems:
- Documents are verified – documental verification of our GDP system.
- On-site inspections are carried out.
- Calibrations are verified.
- Traceability testing is checked.
- The CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventative Actions) Management process is reviewed.
- Overall system performance is reviewed and improvements are planned.
How is quality measured?
Performance metrics for our GDP practices are overseen by several departments within MSC to ensure quality, including:
- Customer Services (Agencies level)
- Reefer Management (SSC Antwerp)
- Claims Dept MSC HQ (Geneva)
- Under Penalty Cargo (SSC Greece).
Do you carry out CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventative Actions) procedures?
Yes. In order to be GDP compliant, we have an internal CAPA management process. CAPA management is internally shared, and its performances are periodically reviewed.
Where can I find documentation?
All relevant documents are available from your local pharma expert, contact your local MSC office for more information.
Are MSC staff GDP Trained?
MSC staff involved in GDP / FSMS undergo in-person or online training relevant to their roles, including reefer handling and maintenance, alarms and incident management and CAPA management.
Attendance to these training programs is both mandatory and verified.
How are containers cleaned in order to be GDP compliant?
This is overseen by our Reefer department in Geneva and Antwerp.
They also oversee training practices for cleaning and adherence to high cleaning standards, according to the container and cargo needs.
Specific audits are planned and carried out globally to verify the adherence of our vendors to our GDP standards.
Is the container temperature controlled?
Yes! All these procedures are part of our ISO 22000 audit and part of our general GDP practices.
We have departments dedicated to handling temperature-controlled units, both in Geneva and in our main facilities. All agencies have departments dedicated to temperature-controlled containers, with professionals available in each facility trained in pre-trip, and handling alarms etc.
Each vessel is equipped with essential spare parts in line with the type of equipment loaded.
We have departments dedicated to handling temperature-controlled units, both in Geneva and in our main facilities. All agencies have departments dedicated to temperature-controlled containers, with professionals available in each facility trained in pre-trip, and handling alarms etc.
Each vessel is equipped with essential spare parts in line with the type of equipment loaded.
How is temperature monitored?
The temperature monitoring is regulated by the Service Contract Agreement with Vessels/Ports and Facilities and includes a minimum of two controls per day. Alerts are raised if a unit is out of an acceptable range.
For GDP units, the range of acceptance is ‘Zero Deviation’ from requirements. For specific cargo-loading plan-routing, temperature mapping is agreed with the shipper.
For GDP units, the range of acceptance is ‘Zero Deviation’ from requirements. For specific cargo-loading plan-routing, temperature mapping is agreed with the shipper.
Are MSC containers’ temperature sensors calibrated?
Calibration of thermal sensors is ensured by the certification of the constructor and suppliers of spare parts.
In addition, MSC tests has a specific procedure to verify the calibration of the units and a specific audit program to verify that unit probes are correctly calibrated.
In addition, MSC tests has a specific procedure to verify the calibration of the units and a specific audit program to verify that unit probes are correctly calibrated.
Is my cargo safe?
MSC’s security divisions maintain and audit cargo according to the highest standards and requirement of the US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP). A Seal Management plan runs through the organization and involves all offices and depots across the company.
Our safe cargo checks are in line with ISO 28000:2007 certification.
Do you work with certified suppliers?
With all our main vendors handling temperature-controlled containers, like ports and depot facilities, we have specific clauses in place for handling special cargo, including pharmaceuticals.
Audit operations are performed and verified by our Procurement department and are in line with our ISO 28000:2017 certification, our GDP 2013 and GDP 2015 certification and with ISO 22000: 2018.
Audit operations are performed and verified by our Procurement department and are in line with our ISO 28000:2017 certification, our GDP 2013 and GDP 2015 certification and with ISO 22000: 2018.