LogiPharma study shows sustainability challenges

The pharmaceutical logistics community shared its progress toward sustainability and other concerns in LogiPharma’s 2023 Sustainability Report, released last week. For the report, 150 senior life-sciences supply chain executives throughout Europe were surveyed during the third quarter of this year to determine where the pharma community stands in terms of its sustainability targets. The report makes it clear that with better visibility, improved data tracking and continued innovation in packaging options, the pharma community has the potential to address sustainability targets more successfully in the coming years, despite headwinds. The major takeaways from the survey include financial implications and government initiatives, and the most emphasis was placed on pharma packaging and understanding around net-zero targets. With current European Union (EU) regulations, such as the EU’s Green Deal, sustainability standards are not negotiable, the report said; financial implications for failing to comply could be more costly than addressing the issues head-on, according to the report. There are also concerns that pharma shippers are not attaining sustainability targets as rapidly as they should be, according to the report. In fact, 85% of LogiPharma’s survey respondents felt their supply chain was only “somewhat sustainable.” This is due, in part, to a lack of measurable data, the report states. A major challenge addressed in the report is establishing concrete metrics. Data is not as readily available between operators and stakeholders, the report states. It is also diffucult to piece together information in a way that provides a complete picture. “The only way to do this — like anything else in supply chain — is in collaboration with strategic partners that have the resources, knowledge and commitment to sustainability,” according to the report. Carbon impact and packaging Cold-chain shipments account for more than $1 trillion annually, according to IATA . This means that packaging for products that are temperature-specific should be an essential focus of the pharma community’s sustainability targets, according to the report. “Recyclable packaging has made headway in achieving sustainability goals and is a good solution for last mile such as clinics, pharmacies and patient deliveries,”the report states. “However, there are performance limitations in length of shipping time and sub-zero cold shipments.” Still, investing time and resources into thermal packaging will be most beneficial for tracing carbon impacts, the report states. “Implementing sustainable thermal packaging often requires up-front investments in research, development, and the adoption of new materials or technologies ,” Alison Crawley , global sustainability manager at Sonoco ThermoSafe , said in the report. “Exploring funding opportunities, grants or partnerships with sustainability-focused organizations can help alleviate budget constraints. Finally, with growing legislation and conversations around extended producer responsibility, companies who do not take action towards sustainable solutions may be hit with significant fines.” A major hindrance to packaging pharma supplies lies in a shipper’s understanding of its carbon impact, the report states. “Sustainability change is not just a matter of adopting new practices or policies, it is transforming mindsets and cultures,” the report states. “It is crucial that supply chain leaders communicate with stakeholders, empathize concerns, and offer clear and consistent information about the value of change.” Join Air Cargo Next for the upcoming webinar “The future of AI in air cargo” on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. ET. More information about the webinar and registration is available here.

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