World Courier sets up cold chain logistics network throughout China

WORLD Courier, a specialist in time-sensitive transportation, has extended its network within China to 36 major cities.

The pharmaceutical courier company now provides cold chain transport services for biological specimens, investigational drugs and supplies to every clinical trial location approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration.

Temperature-controlled shipments can now be handled by the company directly between: Beijing, Changchun, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Hohhot, Jinan, Kunming, Lanzhou, Lhasa, Nanchang, Nanjing, Nanning, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyun, Tianjin, Urumqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi?Tan, Zhengzhou and Zhuhai.

"China is poised to become the fourth largest pharmaceutical market by 2012," said Henning Voss, director for World Courier, North Asia. "With our new operational network in place, we look forward to helping pharmaceutical companies, central labs and clinical research organisations improve their supply chain efficiencies in this vital, but complex country."

Mr Voss said in a statement that China presents many infrastructure challenges for temperature-controlled and clinical trial shipments. "In addition, domestic transport companies do not yet fully understand the many international standards at play in handling these types of shipments. As such, the real concerns and requirements of major pharmaceutical clients in China have not been adequately addressed until now."

World Courier's new domestic network in China for temperature-sensitive and clinical trial shipments complies with standard operating procedures and international IATA transportation standards. The company added that only validated packaging complete with industry-accepted cold-pack mediums and temperature recording devices are used.