Covid-19 was a pivotal moment that accelerated significant changes in distribution methods, not just in healthcare but across all sectors of the supply chain. As lockdowns were implemented, businesses had to adapt quickly, and one notable shift was the move toward direct-to-patient deliveries. This concept had already been gaining traction in the healthcare industry, particularly in the NHS, but the pandemic made it a necessity. The rise of direct-to-patient services required an adaptive cold chain and a more decentralised delivery network to ensure temperature-sensitive products, like medication, could reach patients’ homes instead of requiring them to pick up prescriptions.
This shift toward home delivery of healthcare products has remained strong, even as the immediate impacts of the pandemic have lessened. While some trends faded after the crisis, the move to at-home healthcare delivery has persisted, reflecting a broader change in patient care models. Vaccines, too, were a major catalyst for these changes. During the early stages of Covid-19, the need for ultra-cold storage of vaccines at temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius sparked new logistics challenges. However, as mRNA vaccine technology evolves, storage requirements are gradually becoming less stringent, though cold chain logistics continue to play a crucial role in vaccine distribution.
Another notable trend is the decentralisation of clinical trials. Like the shift to direct-to-patient deliveries, clinical trials are increasingly being conducted outside of centralised locations, often linked to patients’ homes or residential areas, further reducing the reliance on traditional healthcare delivery points. These changes are shaping the future of healthcare logistics, making cold chain and flexible distribution networks more important than ever.
“Cold chain logistics remains a niche area, but it has certainly become more competitive since the pandemic. In particular, we’ve seen more players in the 3PL and 4PL space, including some of the larger organisations that traditionally didn’t focus on cold chain or healthcare logistics,” Charlie Mundy, Movianto’s Commercial Director, stated.
“Covid-19 certainly brought healthcare to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Concepts like diagnostics and preventative testing became much more common, especially as we all had to adjust to things like at-home testing for Covid-19.
“Pre-pandemic, most people wouldn’t have imagined performing self-tests like swabbing or finger-pricking, but now, that’s become a routine part of life. This shift in the healthcare landscape has led to an increase in direct-to-patient services, which has in turn required more adaptive cold chain solutions, with less centralised delivery points and a broader network for temperature-controlled shipments.
“During the pandemic, these companies entered the sector for various reasons, including urgent response programs, and quickly recognised the size of the opportunity and the growing demand. As a result, many of them have decided to stay in the market. This has broadened the competitive landscape, which is a positive development for the industry as a whole. Increased competition drives innovation and benefits everyone in the long run.”
Cool visibility
Digital innovations in this sector, particularly in temperature monitoring and real-time alerts, have also been critical in ensuring the safety and integrity of cold chain products. With these technologies, deviations in temperature or breaches in cargo conditions can be detected quickly, allowing for rapid corrective action. This level of visibility and transparency reassures customers and helps mitigate risks. In the past, temperature deviations might have gone unnoticed until after delivery, rendering the product unusable. Now, proactive monitoring enables us to address issues in real time, ensuring that products remain within the required temperature range and reducing the likelihood of spoilage.
Navigating the varying levels of innovation across different facilities and transport modes is certainly a challenge, especially as the logistics landscape evolves. While a company can be very innovative and advanced in terms of technology and products, it’s equally important that partners and facilities along the supply chain maintain similar levels of support and capabilities. The challenge lies in ensuring that everyone in the supply chain is on the same page, particularly when it comes to meeting the demands of decentralised deliveries.
“Looking forward, the industry is moving toward a more integrated approach, where logistics providers aren’t just seen as transactional transport services but as partners in understanding and managing the entire supply chain. By working closely with clients, we can help identify potential risks and solutions ahead of time, ensuring that the products are handled properly from start to finish,” Mundy stated.
