Online Conference on Sino-Dutch Pharmaceutical Logistics Cooperation

On Wednesday 29 April 2020 the Sino-Dutch Pharmaceutical Logistics Cooperation Online Conference was held. This conference was organized by the Dutch Consulate-General in Chongqing, Holland International Distribution Council and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works together with the China Communications and Transportation Association.

With the global spread of COVID 19, reliable supply of medical devices and medication has become more important than ever. Ensuring a functional global healthcare system requires an uninterrupted supply. During the conference 12 speakers from the Netherlands and China explained how they contribute to a stable and reliable global pharma supply chain.

The presentations revealed that many different parties are active in the pharma chain, and that teamwork and sharing information between partners in the chain are vital for guaranteeing the quality of medicine provided to patients. Global quality systems, such as the CEIV Pharma for air cargo, are essential for safeguarding product quality.

We also see a lot of innovation emerge in the pharma supply chain and note the rise of e-commerce operators, such as JD.com for supplying medication directly to patients, as well as increasing rail transport between China and the Netherlands, with rapid advances in temperature-controlled containers. In addition, automation of pharma warehouses safeguards continuity of warehouse activities during a pandemic.

And in times of need we note that the Air France/KLM cargo capacity is maximized by reassigning the unused passenger capacity in aircraft. The presence of Pharma Gateway Amsterdam as a Pharma hub then helps with rapid customs clearance and distribution of medical supplies.

In connection with the COVID 19 outbreak NDL explored online opportunities for knowledge sharing and connecting networks. This conference in Asia was the first online initiative. The webinar drew roughly 150 participants, and over 1,500 attended this highly successful event via two online streaming services. After the conference we gathered the questions from participants and put them to the speakers.

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