New pharmaceutical handling facility launched

August 1 saw the launch of SPX Logistix, the first independent pharmaceutical handling facility at OR Tambo International Airport. Set up by director Sophie Goosen, the company specialises in the handling of all life science and healthcare products for animals and humans, providing a service to the clearing and forwarding industry. Goosen, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the logistics industry, has specialised in the sector, having headed up the life sciences division of DHL before launching her own company. “There have been big changes in the EU good distribution practice and the Medicine Control Council in South Africa has implemented the changes,” Goosen told FTW. “In terms of these regulations, pharmaceuticals must be kept in separate fridges and delivered on separate pharmaceutical trucks. The mapping must also be done in such a way that it complies with recent International Air Transport Association guidelines.” The tightening up of regulations has created a niche opening in a market that is growing exponentially, says Goosen. “And regulatory changes in the industry are happening fast. Iata brought in climate-sensitive labels a year ago and in July this year the Iata checklist was introduced. This must be fully implemented by December.” Through a tie-up with Lonrho, SPX is able to provide temperaturecontrolled facilities at the airport – all fully compliant with the MCC’s top-of-therange temperature controls, said Goosen. “We deal directly with the airline handling agents, like Swissport, Lufthansa, Menzies, Africa Flight Services and South African Airways, drawing the temperature-controlled cargo on the tarmac side of the airport and moving it directly into a pharmaceutical cold storage facility, with suitably mapped fridges. “Because the cargo is accepted on the tarmac, it’s in the dedicated fridge within one to two hours. For forwarders who have to draw the cargo from airline handlers on land side, it’s only available six to eight hours after the plane has landed.” Goosen is aggressively marketing the service and several big-name forwarders have already come on board, she said. INSERT & CAPTION Because the cargo is accepted on the tarmac, it's in the dedicated fridge within one to two hours. – Sophie Goosen CAPTION SPX's temperature-controlled facilities at OR Tambo.