Dubai: Emirates SkyCargo has launched Emirates SkyPharma, a facility designed and equipped to transport temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products at Dubai International airport.

Emirates SkyPharma facility is designed with temperature controlled zones of 2-8 degree Celsius and 15-25 degree Celsius, 88 temperature controlled individual positions in the automated aircraft pallet handling system and five temperature controlled acceptance and delivery truck docks. The facility has also achieved certification of compliance under the EU Good Distribution Practice Guidelines (GDP) for medical products destined for human use.

Besides enabling cool chain facilities for temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products such as vaccines and biologics, the facility would also ensure compliance of its operation to international standards to meet the quality requirement of cargo throughout the shipment.

Emirates SkyPharma facility is part of the new 11,000 square metre extension of Emirates SkyCentral terminal at Dubai international airport. The facility was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airlines and Group.

Mr Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo commented that, "Drug and vaccine manufacturers who need to ship their products from one part of the world to another can be assured of quality of temperature sensitive products with our services. We are the first in the Middle East to provide such complied service for pharma industry."

With the growth of pharmaceutical industry around the world there is an increasing demand of complied logistics that ensure the quality of temperature sensitive products. Emirates SkyPharma will play a critical role in ensuring GDP compliance of the cargo from start to the end of the journey, the company informed. 

Indian drug manufacturers who are regular exporters of pharmaceutical products to US and Europe are often faced with strict regulatory compliance from destination countries. There is a need for intergrated logistic services that adhere to international standards and ensure desired quality of sensitive products during the shipment process.