Page 10 - LUA September - October 2024

COVER STORY

as adaptable charter operations to address ensuring the safe and timely delivery of a crucial role in establishing the Federation
operational and logistical challenges in vital medicines across the continent. of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
Africa. They also use specialised equipment Etihad Cargo collaborates with Associations (FAPMA) in 2013. FAPMA
for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals pharmaceutical companies, governments, serves as a unified voice for pharmaceutical
and work closely with local handlers to and stakeholders to develop tailored manufacturers across the African continent.
ensure safe and efficient delivery, even in solutions for transporting temperature- UNIDO is collaborating with
challenging environments. sensitive and high-value medicines in stakeholders in the public and private
Furthermore, Etihad Cargo utilises challenging environments in Africa. sectors to support the development of
advanced technologies to maintain Now, the question is: How important are Africa's pharmaceutical manufacturing
the integrity of temperature-sensitive public-private partnerships in Africa's and logistics capabilities. One of their
pharmaceuticals during air transport. pharma logistics? initiatives, funded by the German Federal
This includes state-of-the-art cool chain Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
facilities at Zayed International Airport, IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC- Development, aims to enhance
designed to uphold strict temperature PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS African production of vaccines
controls throughout shipping. They also use Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are and essential medicines through
specialised equipment like cool dollies to instrumental in advancing pharmaceutical technology transfer and
ensure an uninterrupted cold chain during manufacturing and logistics in Africa. By investment partnerships.
ground handling. combining the strengths of both sectors, Progress has been made
Etihad Cargo ensures the safe delivery PPPs drive innovation, investment, and in engaging 11 African
of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals capacity-building. These partnerships manufacturing companies,
through adaptable charter operations and leverage public resources and infrastructure showing promise for
advanced tracking technology. In addition, with private sector expertise, financing, and participating in
Miles stated, "We have over 4,000 healthcare technological capabilities. This collaboration technology
professionals globally, giving us access to the is essential for overcoming the challenges
expertise and experience needed to ensure faced by Africa's pharmaceutical industry, as
operational excellence for our customers stated by the UNIDO spokesperson.
and the end users of our products—the A key example is the successful PPP
patients." Miles also mentioned that they in South Africa, which has led to the
have made significant investments in development of vaccine manufacturing
developing their technological offering to capabilities through Biovac, thereby
provide full transparency and real-time data building local capacity and improving
to their customers. access to vaccines. Furthermore,
"Not only do we receive real-time new vaccine initiatives involving
data at critical points, but we also public-private collaborations
use predictive analytics based on our in countries like Nigeria
extensive shipment history to alert us to and Ghana are emerging,
potential challenges before they arise. strengthening the continent's
What may seem like the fastest route, pharmaceutical production
for example, may not be the best choice capabilities.
when considering factors such as weather, Local manufacturers
strikes, and other unseen elements," benefit from partnerships
added Miles. that provide access to
While looking at the opportunity advanced technologies
poerspective, the Etihad spokesperson said and improve supply
the airline that operates flights to various chain logistics. This
destinations in Africa, such as Nairobi, helps them meet global
Johannesburg, Casablanca, Seychelles, and quality standards,
Cairo, is planning to introduce new routes reduce reliance on imported
in Kenya by December 2024 to meet the medicines, and strengthen the
increasing demand. healthcare sector.
The UAE-based airline is also UNIDO plays a key role in
investing in expanding its fleet and fostering collaborations by connecting
implementing advanced technologies governments, private sectors,
to improve pharmaceutical logistics international and national development
in Africa. These efforts include organisations, and academia. For example,
advanced tracking, data management, UNIDO supported the formation of the
and innovative packaging solutions to Southern African Generic Medicines
enhance reliability and transparency, Association (SAGMA) in 2009 and played

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