GIRP - European Healthcare Distribution Association

💡 Wrapping up Day 2️⃣ of #GIRPSCC2024 with an essential conversation on "Building Medicine Stockpiles: A Collaborative Approach Across Europe" 💊 Moderated by Simon Tottman (IQVIA), the panel tackled the complexities of creating resilient #stockpiling #models to ensure the availability of #essential #medicines across Europe. Here’s what we learned: 🎯 Anne Simon (European Commission) highlighted #public #health-driven stockpiling initiatives, focusing on how these efforts can mitigate the impact of #supply #chain #disruptions. 🎯 Katarina Gabrielson (Oriola Corporation) talked about the practical aspects of cross-border collaboration, underlining the need for harmonized efforts to ensure #patients across Europe have equal #access to #medicines. 🎯 João Pedro Marques Simões (INFARMED, I.P.) discussed how critical medicines lists (#CMLs) differ between countries, highlighting that while the lists vary, collaboration remains key to stockpiling success. 🎯 Christian Knoblich (PHOENIX group - Integrated Healthcare Provider) shared the #logistical #challenges of managing stockpiles, emphasizing the need for systems to avoid #medicine #wastage and ensure timely #distribution. 🎯 Benno Bechtel (Sandoz) explored the balance between #stockpiling and regular supply chain #operations, stressing the importance of preventing #overstocking while ensuring enough #reserves are maintained. The panel also touched on financial considerations, the role of #data #analytics in #optimizing #stockpiles, and how different countries’ approaches can be aligned to create a more unified strategy for #medicine #availability during crises. #Stockpiling is no longer just a national concern; it’s a shared responsibility that requires #coordination across #authorities, #distributors, and #manufacturers.

Sustainability takes center stage at Day 2️⃣ of #GIRPSCC2024! 🌍 A highlight of Day 2️⃣ is the panel moderated by Giulia Ferrati (Cencora), featuring David Grant (EcoAct), Mariana Tovar Chaves (ADIFA - Portuguese Full-Service Pharmaceutical Distributors Association), Jean-Gaetan Guillemaud (Zuellig Pharma), Miguel Gómez (EcoAct), who discussed how companies can leverage #data to enhance #transparency and meet #emissions #targets. We were also thrilled to have shared an exclusive preview of the Scope 3 Methodological Guidance during today’s discussions. Developed in collaboration with EcoAct and key GIRP members like Cencora (Alliance Healthcare Europe), Pharma Logistik Austria GmbH, COFARES, PHOENIX group - Integrated Healthcare Provider, Kwizda Pharma , Multipharma, Merck, Sanofi, and Sandoz, this guidance helps harmonize #carbon #emissions reporting across the #healthcare #distribution sector. The Scope 3 Methodological Guidance provides a framework for accurately calculating and reporting Scope 3 emissions—those indirectly generated by an organization’s #value #chain. It addresses common challenges like inconsistent #data #collection and varying reporting standards, while aligning with the #Greenhouse #Gas ( #GHG) Protocol. A key focus is on allocating emissions to #customers based on specific requests, helping #healthcare companies meet growing demands for #sustainability. ➡️ The full report will be published by the end of the year, offering even more tools and insights to support sustainability efforts in healthcare. ➡️ You can read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gCX2VVKj

🚀 Day 2️⃣ of #GIRPSCC2024 kicked off with a fantastic panel: "Keep Up! Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Distribution Sector." 🌍 Moderated by Oriol Orti (RoboPharma ), this session brought forward exciting conversations about how #innovation is driving #change in our industry. Here are some highlights: 💡 Maria Helena Peixoto (Plural + @Udifar) delved into the transformative potential of #artificial #intelligence in #pharmaceutical #distribution, from predictive maintenance to optimizing #supply #chain management. 💡 Philipp Kramer (BD Rowa) emphasized the importance of using #AI for incoming goods #automation, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in processing various goods, from #pallets to #returns. 💡 Peter Brown (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) offered regulatory perspectives on AI integration and the challenges it poses, stressing the need for a robust framework to ensure #data integrity and decision-making #reliability. ⏭️ It’s clear that innovation is not just about #technology but also about collaboration and making sure these advancements benefit everyone in the healthcare chain.

🔚 Wrapping up Day 1️⃣ of #GIRPSCC2024 with key insights from national G(M)DP inspectors 💬 Moderated by Riekert Bruinink (Bruinink Pharma Consulting) and John Preston (Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA UK), the panel brought together experts who shared their experiences and challenges in #safeguarding the integrity of our #pharmaceutical #supply #chains: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Peter Brown (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) discussed supply chain #security and the ongoing risks of #falsified #medicines. 🇵🇹 Pedro Quaresma (INFARMED, I.P.) highlighted recent changes in Portuguese legislation regarding #medicine #packaging. 🇮🇪 Laura Bashford (Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) provided key updates on the #Windsor vFramework and its implications for the UK-EU #regulatory landscape. 🇧🇪 Ethel Mertens (FAMHP - Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products) emphasized the role of the Responsible Person in #GDP compliance. 🇪🇸 Manuel Ibarra (Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios) shared Spain’s strategy for monitoring strategic medicines to prevent #shortages. 🇧🇪 Nele Matthijs (FAMHP - Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products), outlined Belgium’s proactive measures to address #medicine #shortages with tools like PharmaStatus. Day 1 has set the stage for deeper discussions on safeguarding the healthcare supply chain. We’re looking forward to an exciting Day 2 tomorrow as we continue to explore innovative solutions and the future of healthcare distribution!

🌟 Innovating Healthcare Logistics at #GIRPSCC2024! 🌟 Today, we explored the future of healthcare logistics with three insightful panels, each showcasing the transformative power of #technology and #digital #solutions: 1️⃣ Transforming Digital Capabilities in the Temperature Controlled Supply Chain: Moderated by John Preston (Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA UK)), this panel featured: - Alexandre Bosdonnat (LAINPHARMA) on leveraging #AI to optimize #cold #chain management. - Bruno Alves (DGS) on using real-time digital tools for #vaccine #distribution. - Anni Svala (Tamro Finland) highlighting how digital innovations improve #compliance and #sustainability. - Kane Edgeworth (Biomap Ltd) discussing continuous #temperature #mapping for enhanced #storage #monitoring. 2️⃣ KNAPP: Next-Gen Healthcare Logistics -Dieter Hochörtler (KNAPP) presented the AutoPocket® system, a revolutionary #warehouse #automation solution that increases handling efficiency, allowing for faster, smarter, and more sustainable #logistics #operations. 3️⃣ Sustainable Temperature-Controlled Packaging Solutions: Thomas De Bie (CAPPI) showcased innovative #packaging that improves #energy efficiency, reduces storage space, and supports eco-responsibility in #pharmaceutical distribution. These panels highlighted how cutting-edge technology is unlocking new levels of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation across the healthcare #supplychain! Stay tuned for more this afternoon!

🌍 Collaboration for Medicines Availability 💊 As we continue Day 1️⃣ of #GIRPSCC2024, Kasper Ernest led an engaging session titled "Working Together for Continued Medicines Availability." It was a reminder that behind every #supply #chain challenge, there are real people—#patients, #pharmacists, and #healthcare #providers — depending on us to ensure they have access to #essential #medines. We had the privilege of hearing from: 🎯 Valérie Paris (OECD - OCDE), who stressed the importance of international cooperation and risk mitigation to prevent future #crises. 🎯 Monica Dias (European Medicines Agency), who underscored the value of working together #proactively to prevent and mitigate #medicine #shortages. 🎯 Laura Jansen (European Commission, HERA), who highlighted the efforts to secure Europe’s access to #critical #meds, ensuring no one is left without the #treatments they need. 🎯 Tristan Hertzog (Chambre Syndicale de la Répartition Pharmaceutique (CSRP), who shared practical insights on how #transparency and early warning systems can make a real difference during shortages. 🎯 Jorge Batista Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU), who discussed the #direct #impact of shortages on pharmacists and their patients, emphasizing that early #communication is key to maintaining #trust and #quality care. Each speaker reminded us that ensuring #medicines are #available when and where they’re needed is a #collective #responsibility. It’s not just about supply chains—it’s about people ❗️

🌟 A fantastic start to Day 1 of the 9th GIRP Supply Chain Conference here in beautiful Lisbon! 🌟 The day began with an inspiring welcome from Bernd Grabner, President of GIRP, who highlighted the importance of collective efforts to ensure #resilience and #sustainability in the #healthcare #distribution sector and #supplychain. His message underscored the vital role that #innovation plays in maintaining a continuous #supply of #medicines across Europe 🇪🇺 Our new Director General, Kasper Ernest, followed with a thought-provoking reflection on "a world without wholesale," emphasizing that healthcare as we know it would face unimaginable #disruptions. Kasper reminded us that the indispensable role of #wholesalers often goes unnoticed when everything runs smoothly, but without them, the system would grind to a halt. His call to action: we must make #wholesaling more visible by highlighting the essential role it plays in ensuring #patients have access to the #meds they need 👏 We also had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Nuno Flora, Executive President of the ADIFA - Portuguese Full-Service Pharmaceutical Distributors Association, and Dr. Rui Santos Ivo, newly elected Vice President of the European Medicines Agency and President of INFARMED, I.P. - Dr. Ivo’s insights into Europe’s evolving #regulatory landscape provided us with a glimpse of the challenges but also the #opportunities ahead ➡️ We are excited for the discussions that will unfold here in our vibrant host city as we continue to unlock the future of the medicines supply chain 🚀 Stay tuned for more - LIVE from #GIRPSS2024

🇨🇿 Kasper Ernest’s Euro Tour in Prague: Reflecting on the Invisible Work of Wholesalers Kasper’s latest stop took him to Prague, where he sat down with members of #AVEL, led by Tomáš Votruba, to dive into an issue we often overlook: the invisibility of #wholesaling when everything works as it should. When #medicines #move and #patients have #access, no one notices the work behind the scenes—and that’s both a strength and a challenge. During the discussion, AVEL's President, Jan Rohrbacher, pointed out something critical: #wholesalers are losing money on their core operations and only making up for it through other ventures. It’s a stark reminder that, while we’ve adapted, the heart of what we do—ensuring medicines reach those who need them—can’t be taken for granted. The takeaway was clear: we need to refocus on what unites us as full-service wholesalers and use that shared strength to better communicate our value. When we stand together on what we do best, we can make sure our voice is heard 📣 Thank you to Alliance Healthcare Czech Republic, PHOENIX - lékárenský velkoobchod, s.r.o., and Viapharma for warm welcome and honest, thoughtful conversations. It’s these discussions that help us move forward ⏭️ Next stop for Kasper: Lisbon 🇵🇹 for #GIRPSCC2024. Stay tuned!

🏠 A conversation close to home 🇧🇪 GIRP DG Kasper Ernest Ernest, recently met with Belgian members NVGV-ANGR, right here in Brussels. The focus of their discussion was clear: the crucial role #healthcare #distribution plays is often undervalued, and this lack of recognition has significant #financial consequences. Standing our ground and making sure #society recognizes the value of #wholesale distribution is critical. From financial losses to unrecognized work, our sector continues to operate under immense #pressure. It’s time to change that narrative and demonstrate the importance of #wholesale in the #supplychain 🛠️ Together, they explored how to shift this narrative and ensure that decision makers and society understand the real impact of a #WorldWithoutWholesale. It’s a challenge, but one GIRP - and its members - is committed to addressing. A big thank you to Olivier Delaere, Philippe Lacroix, Céline Driessen, Comeos, Febelco, CERP Belgique, Pharma Belgium-Belmedis, Koen Van Genechten and #ADCnv for the honest and important discussion 💬 Let’s continue to work together to create a level playing field and shape a future where the vital role of healthcare distribution is fully recognized and valued 💪🤝

GIRP’s Euro Tour Continues: Next Stop – Estonia! 🇪🇪 Our journey through Europe’s #healthcare systems took us to beautiful Estonia, where Kasper Ernest, GIRP Director General, met with key leaders in the #pharmaceutical #supplychain: Mari Krass, CEO of Magnum AS, and Teet Torgo, CEO of the Estonian Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers #EHRL As we continue our Euro tour, one theme stands out: the need for better #knowledge sharing across Member States. 🌍 Europe’s diverse healthcare #systems are a strength, but only if we avoid repeating the same mistakes and focus on learning from each other. GIRP is committed to helping healthcare #distributors navigate this complexity, ensuring that decision-makers have the insights they need to deliver for #patients. 💡 A big thank you to our Estonian colleagues for the inspiring discussions! Stay tuned for more updates as GIRP continues its 🇪🇺 tour, connecting with healthcare leaders across Europe 🚀