Astellas Pharma India, a subsidiary of Japan’s second largest drug major Astellas Pharma, signed a logistics agreement with Vardhman Health Specialities Pvt Ltd, the largest pharma cold chain management facility provider in India.

The agreement will allow Vardhaman to provide logistics management and appropriate temperature controlled clean air storage condition for Astellas flagship product, Prograf.

Astellas Pharma Inc is a global leader in the transplantation and urology segment – plans to foray into the Indian market and establish its business in the country by developing sales and marketing infrastructure for its products base. The company plans to first introduce its flagship product, Prograf, used after organ transplantation to prevent organ rejection.

Teruo Yasufuku, managing director, Astellas Pharma India, said, “We are committed to providing consistent, best quality healthcare products to patients. Appropriate management of products at a controlled temperature & proper storage environment maintains product effectiveness throughout the storage and transportation cycle and also helps meet all regulatory specifications. Worldwide, regulatory guidelines and standards today accord greater attention to proper storage and transportation and adhering to them is vital.”

Jayantilal Chowhan, chairman & managing director, Vardhman Health Specialities Pvt Ltd, said, “We are extremely happy that Astellas – one of the largest pharma companies in Japan – has chosen VHSPL as its distribution company in India because of our proven record in this vital industry segment.”

Both companies are confident the tie-up will prove beneficial for the industry by boosting patient safety.