Findings could aid vax distribution in developing nations

Collaboration between drugmakers and other movers of cold chain products could help resolve difficulties in the distribution of vaccines and other healthcare products in infrastructure-poor developing nations. One example: Expanding established cold chains to the embassies located within a country.

That's one conclusion of a study conducted by supply chain consultancy Bisham on behalf of the World Health Organization and the nonprofit Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). Bisham compared health cold-chain logistics models with those of the food industry.

The consultancy finds that local third-party logistics providers (3PLs) need training and capital support from global 3PLs and drugmakers. Government health ministries also must step up in addressing the challenges, but they need "considerable advice, practical help and resources," says Derek Bell, managing director at Bisham, in a trade article.

PATH and WHO expect to begin implementing the recommendations in a phased program that begins this fall.

- here's the article

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