E-DRUG: Why EU seizes Indian drugs (Former India WTO Amb) (11)
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Dear all,
With reference to the posting from Dr Eva Ombaka, Pharmacist, Tanzania, we would like to share some information from the "field" of supply chain management of pharmaceuticals related to the ongoing discussion on seizures in European airports - why using European airport as transit hubs.
Missionpharma has experienced seizure of consignments in European airport twice (both Amsterdam and Frankfurt), but managed to get both consignments released - with waste of resources and delays involved.
The routing is one of the criteria to evaluate when planning your supply chain and for most African destinations the highest frequency and best uplift security is ensured by using airlines based in Europe.
For some destinations using African airlines is an option, but mainly when the final destination is "home of the airline" (such as Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airways(ET), Nairobi with Kenya Airways(KQ), Joburg with South African Airways(SA). Using South African Airways can also be best option for destinations in Southern Africa.
Increasingly relevant alternative hubs can also be in the Middle East as hubs here are expanding capacity and services these days. Options include Qatar Airways through Doha and Emirates Sky Cargo and Ethihad Airways through United Arab Emirates (UAE) - though these airlines are mainly serving North Eastern part of Africa.
Fortunately we have not experienced any seizures in 2010 and hope that all the attention attracted to this matter will help avoid similar situations from occurring.
Best regards,
Sune Svenningsen (Mr)
Supply Chain Director
Please visit our website at
www.missionpharma.com<http://www.missionpharma.com/>
Missionpharma A/S
Vassingeroedvej 9
DK-3540 Lynge
Tel. (+45) 48 16 32 54
Fax.(+45) 48 16 02 06
Cell. (+45) 26 18 29 09
info@missionpharma.com
Sune Svenningsen <SSV@missionpharma.com>
[Air transport is usually too expensive to consider as routine transport. The surface-shipping routes you recommend would also be of interest. Moderator]