DHL launches new air freight service for pharmaceutical products and medical devices

Claimed to be a regulatory compliant platform, the new service allows the customers to handle temperature-sensitive shipments of pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

DHL Global Forwarding CEO of Freight and Executive Board sponsor for Life Sciences and Healthcare sector Roger Crook said the global market for pharmaceuticals has reached a total volume of over $1trillion in sales, with the US, Japan and China being the largest markets.

"The Life Sciences and Healthcare industry is a key sector for DHL and we are heavily investing in new products and services to provide comprehensive solutions to the needs of our customers," Crook added.

Offering better visibility by integrating monitoring and intervention in the temperature controlled shipping area, the new ‘Thermonet’ features SmartSensor RFID technology from its Solutions & Innovation division, according to the company.

During transit, the SmartSensor monitors the ambient temperature of the shipment and also records the near-product temperature of the goods, while using the SmartSensor XP technology as an optional service.

The information gathered by the SmartSensors is automatically uploaded to the LifeTrack IT platform through a web portal designed by LifeConEx, a subsidiary of DHL Global Forwarding.

The logistics firm expects to address the increasing customer demands in the Life Sciences and Healthcare market with the new Thermonet by expanding its cold chain activities and market capabilities.

Currently, the company is planning to implement the Thermonet across its 30 Life Sciences competence centers worldwide and is scheduled to launch the service in 60 stations by the end of 2013.