Count on us
for your Pharmaceutical Shipments
More and more pharmaceutical companies are turning to sea transport to deliver medicines and other essential goods quickly and safely to the places where they are needed.
When shipping with MSC you benefit not only from our GDP compliant practices but also from our vast global network, which connects all of the world’s major trading centres. We can provide reliable and cost-effective deliveries to any destination.
World-leading Reefer Fleet
Your pharma cargo needs to be transported in temperature-controlled reefer containers. Our reefer containers use the most advanced cooling systems such as
- Primeline®
- Naturaline®
- Star Cool SA
to keep pharmaceutical cargo at the required temperature during transit, while dehumidification systems prevent damage or degradation. Our modern fleet is also equipped with the latest green technology, helping to minimise your supply chain’s carbon footprint.
GDP Compliant Practices
Our GDP certification ensures that our processes are aligned with the strict regulations required by the pharma industry. With MSC, your cargo is in the hands of dedicated experts who are trained to offer the right support, advice and documentation whenever and wherever it is needed.
Local Experts Around the World
As a global leader in transportation, MSC has more than five decades of experience carrying sensitive and hazardous cargo. Our local experts with deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry are available around the clock throughout your cargo’s journey, and can help with container preparation and packing if necessary.
Door-to-door Security
Safety is paramount for the transportation of pharma cargo, which is often highly valuable. Our containers are sealed and locked from pick-up to delivery, and our door-to-door services minimise touchpoints – helping to improve product quality and integrity, and reduce the risk of theft or damage.
We follow highly standardised control procedures to guarantee optimal transport conditions.
Because you Need more than Port-to-Port Services
On land and at sea, we have everything you need to prepare your pharma logistics and supply chain securely from A to Z.
Questions about our Pharma Logistics Solutions?
How are you usually audited to be GDP compliant (Goods Distribution Practice)?
Our GDP certification is supported by mandatory internal and external audits. We go through an intense 1st, 2nd and 3rd party audit program, where we audit ourselves (1st party), our vendors and suppliers (2nd party) and we have an external certified body auditing our system (3rd party).
Each audit checks the following elements of our suppliers’ processes and systems:
- Documents are verified – documental verification of our GDP system.
- On-site inspections are carried out.
- Calibrations are verified.
- Traceability testing is checked.
- The CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventative Actions) Management process is reviewed.
- Overall system performance is reviewed and improvements are planned.
How is quality measured?
Performance metrics for our GDP practices are overseen by several departments within MSC to ensure quality, including:
- Customer Services (Agencies level).
- Reefer Management (SSC Antwerp).
- Claims Dept MSC HQ (Geneva).
- Under Penalty Cargo (SSC Greece).
Do you carry out CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventative Actions) procedures?
Yes. In order to be GDP compliant, we have an internal CAPA management process. CAPA management is internally shared, and its performances are periodically reviewed.
Where can I find documentation?
All relevant documents are available from your local pharma expert, contact your local MSC office for more information.
Are MSC staff GDP Trained?
MSC staff involved in GDP / FSMS undergo in-person or online training relevant to their roles, including reefer handling and maintenance, alarms and incident management and CAPA management.
Attendance to these training programs is both mandatory and verified.
How are containers cleaned in order to be GDP compliant?
This is overseen by our Reefer department in Geneva and Antwerp.
They also oversee training practices for cleaning and adherence to high cleaning standards, according to the container and cargo needs.
Specific audits are planned and carried out globally to verify the adherence of our vendors to our GDP standards.
Is the container temperature controlled?
Yes! All these procedures are part of our ISO 22000 audit and part of our general GDP practices.
We have departments dedicated to handling temperature-controlled units, both in Geneva and in our main facilities. All agencies have departments dedicated to temperature-controlled containers, with professionals available in each facility trained in pre-trip, and handling alarms etc.
Each vessel is equipped with essential spare parts in line with the type of equipment loaded.
How is temperature monitored?
The temperature monitoring is regulated by the Service Contract Agreement with Vessels/Ports and Facilities and includes a minimum of two controls per day. Alerts are raised if a unit is out of an acceptable range.
For GDP units, the range of acceptance is ‘Zero Deviation’ from requirements. For specific cargo-loading plan-routing, temperature mapping is agreed with the shipper.
Are MSC containers’ temperature sensors calibrated?
Calibration of thermal sensors is ensured by the certification of the constructor and suppliers of spare parts.
In addition, MSC tests has a specific procedure to verify the calibration of the units and a specific audit program to verify that unit probes are correctly calibrated.
Is my cargo safe?
MSC’s security divisions maintain and audit cargo according to the highest standards and requirement of the US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP). A Seal Management plan runs through the organization and involves all offices and depots across the company.
Our safe cargo checks are in line with ISO 28000:2007 certification.
Do you work with certified suppliers?
With all our main vendors handling temperature-controlled containers, like ports and depot facilities, we have specific clauses in place for handling special cargo, including pharmaceuticals.
Audit operations are performed and verified by our Procurement department and are in line with our ISO 28000:2017 certification, our GDP 2013 and GDP 2015 certification and with ISO 22000: 2018.