Offering a novel concept in the pharmaceuticals export supply chain management, the Netherlands-based KLM Cargo is planning to introduce an integrated solution to the Indian pharma exporters to rapidly start up and expand their business in Europe.

The company, which has recently tied up with the OPG Group, a multinational retailer and distributor of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, would provide services ranging from managing the entire supply chain, registration to initial shipment until products reach end customers with this solution.

In order to familiarize this concept to the Indian pharma exporting community, this global cargo company has tied up with the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) and the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI). The three will be jointly organizing 'Pharma gateway to Europe,' a one-day education event in Mumbai next week.

While speaking to Pharmabiz, Sanjay Tiwari, director, KLM Pharmaceutical Cargo, said that with the integrated export solution KLM-OPG alliance lets companies focus on their core business while minimising costs and maximising operational effectiveness.

Similarly, with shipments to and from some 200 destinations in 80 countries, KLM Cargo could provide on-time delivery in perfect condition and in full compliance with the complex transport regulations and increasingly stringent controls imposed by regulatory bodies, he added.

With the strategic alliance between KLM and OPG Group, the venture would utilize services of the key OPG Group players such as Red Swan Pharma Logistics and RegiLabs. Red Swan arranges the receipt, storage and distribution of medicines and other medical supplies to pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmacists, hospitals, dispensing physicians and chemists while RegiLabs offers extensive tests of raw materials and end products to support batch release and end product registration, ensuring compliance with the European Pharmacopoeia (EP), the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) or the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP).

KLM Cargo has been active as a carrier for pharmaceutical cargo out of India since the 1980s, servicing customers such as Ranbaxy, Dr. Reddy's, Serum Institute, Cipla and Wockhardt.