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Importance of Supply Chain Security

ASC Highlights The Importance of Supply Chain Security in PMPS Magazine

Back in June, Henry Moran, our Chief Operating Officer, wrote about his experience of the FlyPharma Conference. Attending the conference had been a great opportunity for ASC Associates to network with others working in the Pharmaceutical Logistics Industry, and Henry came back full of passion for the work that we do to help manufacturers, third party logistics providers, and airlines to achieve excellence throughout the supply chain.

One of the areas that Henry highlighted in his post was the fact that, whilst there is a great focus on Temperature Management within the supply chain, security is often overlooked. We’re pleased to announce that this observation has been shared in the latest edition of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packing Sourcer Magazine (PMPS), which you can read here. Henry is mentioned on page 50, in the article about the FlyPharma Conference 2016, which you can also see below.

ASC Associates Supply Chain Security PMPS

We’re looking forward to attending the FlyPharma Conference again next year, when it will be held on 6-7th June 2017 in Brussels. Why not head over to their site and register your interest, so that you receive the most up-to-date information straight into your inbox?

And if you’re interested in working with us to review your supply chain security, check out the services we offer or contact us for more information.

Mick Sutherland

Changes to the ASC Team

ASC Associates is proud to work with leaders in the field of Pharmaceutical Logistics and Supply Chain Security, and enjoy the variety of skills and experiences this brings to the work that we do.

However from time to time the people we work with changes, and we want to keep you up to date with this. Today that means saying goodbye to Mick Sutherland.

A former ASC Associate, Mick Sutherland has been offered a job too good to refuse and so has decided to move on to pastures new.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mick for his contributions to ASC Associates and we wish him all the best with his new adventure.

To find out more about our Associates, please visit our team page.

The Potential Impact of Brexit to Your Supply Chain

The Potential Impact of Brexit to Your Supply Chain

Following on from the very recent vote for Britain to leave the EU, here are our top tips to consider for your supply chain.

  1. Customs Clearance – The re-introduction of UK Customs Clearance is a possibility. We would recommend that you run a health check over your Tariff Codes, ensuring that they are up to date and reflect the commodity you are importing or exporting.
  2. Customs Regimes – If you are operating under any Customs Regimes, now would be a good time to explore what impact the EU vote might have. Are your regimes still valid or do you need to implement new ones? Make sure you pause to understand the impact before you make any changes.
  3. UK Border Enforcement – The potential enforcement of the UK border may well impact transit times through ports and airports. Stay up-to-date with developments to ensure that you limit any effect this may have on your Supply Chain.
  4. Time and Temperature Shipments – For Time and Temperature Sensitive Products, including pharmaceutical shipments, we would strongly recommend you conduct a robust risk assessment for both the security and potential temperature impacts on your products. Longer transit times could mean heightened risk.
  5. Collaboration – Finally, now is the time to ensure that you are communicating and collaborating with all of your supply chain stakeholders – the more dialogue and knowledge you have, the more robust the chain will be.

Change is never easy and the uncertainty of what the future may look like is an added difficulty. Unification of key stakeholders, and a cohesive project plan to mitigate risk and adapt to new legislative and regulatory compliance is critical to securing a safe and effective supply chain.

ASC Associates provide a range of services which could help you navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead. Why not contact us to find out more.

FlyPharma Conference 2016, Brussels

Henry Moran, our Chief Operating Officer, spoke at the FlyPharma Conference in June. Here he shares his experience of the conference and explains why networking is such an important part of what we do.

I’m just back after a quick trip over to Brussels to present at the recent FlyPharma conference, where I gave a presentation on Supply Chain Security in the Life Science sector.

I really believe that the Life Science sector is very focused on Temperature Management within the supply chain, but to be honest security is as important, if not more.

FlyPharma is a relatively new conference forum and ASC have had the pleasure and honour of presenting at both the 2015 and now 2016 events. The conference brings together experts from the air freight industry, so it is really good to see airlines, ground handlers and freight forwarders all in the same environment, openly discussing and debating Life Science logistics.

However, it would be really great to get some more representation from the Pharma manufacturers community, so they can see how the logistics industry is embracing the challenge.

What I really like about FlyPharma is the fact that it is focused – i.e. it’s not too big. There is plenty of opportunity to network, meet old friends and colleagues, and make new ones. It’s great to hear that the plans are afoot for the 2017 conference already – perhaps we’ll see you there!

Here at ASC we believe that networking within the sector is really valuable to the work we do – it enables us to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and be at the forefront of any changes made. Alongside attending conferences we also regularly share information and news stories on our LinkedIn Pages – why not connect with us over there?

Follow Henry Moran on LinkedIn
Follow Amy Shortman on LinkedIn

PCSC Conference, Boston

Just heading back from Boston after a fascinating week at the PCSC (Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition) educational conference.

The PCSC is an organisation based in the US which comprises of pharmaceutical professionals, law enforcement and government entities, cargo insurers, carriers and risk management advocates. So basically it covers every aspect of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. Its key goal is preventing theft of pharmaceuticals product whilst in transit.

To be honest, this was one of the best conferences I have ever attended (and I attend a few!). A group of passionate speakers gave their own individual insights into the respective worlds. Presentations ranged from issues within the US domestics Supply Chain to challenges in South America, topped off with Global Corporate Compliance.

But most of all it was so refreshing to see that each presenter was fearless in allowing the audience into their respective challenges. We need to see more of this! Intelligently hosted and facilitated by the PCSC chairman, Chuck Forsaith.

Very much looking forward to next year, and a possible speaking spot!