Logistics and its role in revolutionising the MedTech sector in India

The last two years have proven the defining moments for the world healthcare ecosystem and medical technology. The terrible effects of the global pandemic ensured that the world was taking nothing else but how to stay safe and healthy. While social distancing norms, following quarantine guidelines, and keeping the hygiene factor intact were a few ways to keep the virus at bay, the pharmaceutical industry’s role cannot be deemed peripheral. In fact, owing to the increase in Covid-19-centric products, the pharmaceutical industry witnessed 15% of growth between 2020 and 2021. 

This was mainly because, given the looming threat of lethal global pandemic effects, most people started stocking immunity boosters, Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs, and other medical essentials. Moreover, as digitally advanced medical devices like pacemakers became the need of the hour, how pharmaceutical companies will store and transport media essential in a hassle-free and convenient way emerged as the most pivotal question. At this moment, the fast-evolving pharmaceutical industry realised that while having smooth transportation facilities is paramount, robust storage and warehousing requirements are not secondary.  

Against this backdrop, here is a brief overview of the role of logistics and supply chain integration in remoulding the hitherto MedTech sector in India: 

Smooth supply chain can make the difference between life and death

In the healthcare or medical field, every second counts. If we take the pandemic scenario as an example, the socio-economic situations can change rapidly. It is essential to have secure transport and warehousing based on the fast-growing MedTech sector to address this issue. To cater to urgent consumer requirements at short notice, all types of transportation facilities must be readily available. 

By doing so, consumers will always have a myriad of options, and they can easily switch to a relatively affordable or cost-efficient mode of transport for non-urgent deliveries. Leading logistics platforms and providers today emphasise not just mitigating the cost of delivering urgent medical essentials but also taking ‘saving lives’ as the primary matter of focus. New-age logistics companies have commenced rigorous risk assessments to ensure that the supply chain’s integrity and continuity are always up and running. 

Full-stack holistic approach and futuristic technology 

The pharma logistics department has to onboard an end-to-end approach to ensure the health care or MedTech sector is continuously operating at 100% capacity — from strengthened storage or warehousing to easily accessible transportation and powerful supply chain management. 

Especially during the pandemic and post-pandemic era, leading logistics firms have tailored their facilities for medical technology by integrating cutting-edge features like temperature-controller, cross-coking, consolidated and short or long-term storage options. Moreover, in this era of advanced digital technology, the efficiency metre has significantly gone upward, accompanied by the ease in transparency and tracking shipment and considerable cost-reduction. 

Complying with industry regulations is the number one priority 

Given the importance of safe and secure products reaching end-consumers, the MedTech sector requires stringent regulations and compliances. Understanding and adhering to set regulations isn’t just a mere requirement for logistics companies but a crucial element. Regulation compliance affects patients or end-consumers and manufacturers directly. 

To ensure the quality standards of premium-grade products with a conscious approach, companies need to have comprehensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. These company leaders should be aware of the latest legal frameworks, particularly those who talk about safeguarding product integrity both nationally and internationally. 

What does the future hold?

The pandemic period has made it abundantly clear that brick and mortar pharmacies are a thing of the past. The futuristic medical devices segment and digitisation in the pharmaceutical logistics department will evolve fast. As consumers and manufacturers, we might not be leveraging the advantages of digital platforms in the pre-pandemic, but imagining a future without instant supply chain management, enhanced logistics and online pharmacies is somewhat impossible today. 

Nevertheless, it is vital to remember that all these upgrades and developments are futile if the patients or end-consumers cannot avail the products timely. Therefore, the industry will keep working rigorously to ensure that medical essentials can conveniently reach those who actually need them.