DHL launches Japan second 3PL-operated Clinical Trial Logistics Hub
DHL announced the launch of DHL Exel Supply Chains second Clinical Trial Logistics Hub.
With strong performance in clinical trial business launched in March 2007 as the first 3PL provider in Japan, the second operation base was opened following the facility setup in Yashio, Shinagawa in July 2007. The size of this new hub facility is expanded to 2,760‡u, about 20 times more than that of Yashio. DHL Supply Chain provides pharmaceutical companies with a supply chain solution for clinical trial such as warehouse management and transportation at this distribution hub. And this helps rationalize the cargo tracking capability, manage operations with high quality, and improve efficiency in operational processes complying with the regulations (standards & procedures based on GCP) on practice criteria for clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, the hub manages investigational materials in two temperature zones, and the temperature tolerance is observed strictly. In order to provide rigorous management, security system and back-up power supply are available as well.
DHL announced the launch of DHL Exel Supply Chainfs second Clinical Trial Logistics Hub responding to the successful business wins of the customers, several leading global pharmaceutical companies in Japan.
With strong performance in clinical trial business launched in March 2007 as the first 3PL provider in Japan, the second operation base was opened following the facility setup in Yashio, Shinagawa in July 2007. The size of this new hub facility is expanded to 2,760‡u, about 20 times more than that of Yashio. DHL Supply Chain provides pharmaceutical companies with a supply chain solution for clinical trial such as warehouse management and transportation at this distribution hub. And this helps rationalize the cargo tracking capability, manage operations with high quality, and improve efficiency in operational processes complying with the regulations (standards & procedures based on GCP) on practice criteria for clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, the hub manages investigational materials in two temperature zones (2-8Ž and 1-30Ž), and the temperature tolerance is observed strictly. In order to provide rigorous management, security system and back-up power supply are available as well.
The operation base in Aomi has space available for randomization, which is not available at the hub in Yashio. Randomization requires blocked space so that any information would not leak to outside. By securing the space for randomization within the warehouse, previously requiring pharmaceutical companies to arrange this each time, it also contributes in making clinical trials more efficient.
One year has passed since the first hub was opened, and new packaging with temperature control has been introduced in clinical trial business. It is knockdown packaging compliant with IATA (International Air Transport Association) to transport medicine safely with temperature control. This packaging enables to transport investigational materials inside safely at ambient/low temperatures, or in frozen condition up to 120 hours. By using this packaging, the temperatures between the warehouse and the doctors can be maintained constant. Therefore, it is not necessary to use any refrigerated trucks newly. In addition, investigational materials can be transported with other goods on the same vehicle, and this leads to more efficient transportation and cost reduction for out customers. Also, the number of team members dedicated to clinical trial business has been increased to 8, and now we are upgrading and expanding the service in aspects of skills and personnel.
DHL Supply Chain has been increasing its experience in clinical trial business, mainly in the UK. With service deployment in Japan, the work done internally by pharmaceutical companies before can be outsourced in Japan as well, such as securing warehouse space for investigational materials, clinical trial monitoring, and transportation to the doctors. DHL Supply Chain will contribute greatly to make clinical trial business more efficient and to reduce cost for pharmaceutical companies in Japan by integrating expertise in the pharmaceutical industry fostered globally, global distribution network, expertise in customs clearance operation, logistics know-how with much knowledge of Japanese market, and IT solution.
