Q&A: Ensuring the Integrity of
Pharma Supply Chains
A Q&A with Jansen Stafford, our Regional Head of Cargo Europe
Q: How are pharma supply chains evolving post-COVID?
The pandemic exposed the fragility of global pharma supply chains—propelling the industry toward more resilient, transparent, and regionally-diversified networks. Today, the emphasis has shifted toward temperature-controlled logistics, especially for biologics, cell therapies, and mRNA vaccines, which demand highly specialised handling and real-time oversight.
Q: What makes temperature-sensitive shipments so challenging?
Pharmaceutical products safeguard lives, and even minor temperature excursions can compromise efficacy or cause total spoilage. Challenges include multi-modal transitions, customs delays, and environmental extremes. Therefore, the focus has moved from basic compliance to complete end-to-end quality assurance—through dedicated infrastructure, expert staff, and proactive monitoring to pre-empt risks.
Q: How do airlines ensure end-to-end visibility and compliance?
Cathay Cargo leverages a multi-layered approach:
- IATA CEIV Pharma certification underpins our service quality. This globally recognised standard ensures compliance with Good Distribution Practices and provides a common language for airlines, forwarders, and shippers. Sharing the same set of standards fosters alignment across the industry and reassures customers that their shipments are being handled with consistency worldwide.
- Ultra Track, our Bluetooth-based technology, provides near real-time visibility of temperature, location, and more. The data connects directly to Cathay Cargo’s dedicated Operations Control Centre (OCC), enabling immediate action if irregularities occur.
- Data tracked by active containers is now integrated with our digital systems, giving both customers and our OCC access to critical information such as internal temperature, battery status, and container location.
By combining CEIV Pharma standards, Ultra Track, and active container telemetry, we deliver a unified, proactive visibility system that transforms tracking into intervention capability.
Q: What role does digitalisation play in assuring quality?
Digital innovations are reshaping pharmaceutical logistics:
- Tools like Click & Ship simplify booking and account setup.
- Telemetry data from active containers is integrated into our monitoring systems, centralising oversight and reducing manual touchpoints.
- Data-driven decision-making enables predictive insights, early detection of potential risks, and automated reporting for compliance.
These capabilities improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and reinforce Cathay Cargo’s positioning as a digital-first, customer-centric logistics partner.
Q: How is Cathay Cargo preparing for the next wave of pharma growth in Asia?
Asia is rapidly emerging as a pharmaceutical powerhouse—and Hong Kong stands tall as the regional logistics hub.
Cathay Cargo is uniquely positioned to support this trajectory by combining:
- CEIV-certified Pharma handling, ensuring consistency and trust across the supply chain.
- An extensive flight network connecting pharmaceutical products to end users between Asia and the rest of the world.
- A flexible range of active and passive container solutions sourced from leading suppliers, catering to different temperature requirements and shipment profiles.
- A robust, digital-first tracking infrastructure integrating Ultra Track and active container data.
- A dedicated Operations Control Centre for real-time intervention and service recovery.
- Ongoing sustainability initiatives, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel partnerships, that help customers reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining uncompromising quality.
