World Courier - Fully Integrated GxP-Compliant Global Transport and Storage

For the past 40 years, World Courier has been recognised as the 'gold standard' for worldwide time- and temperature-sensitive transportation services to the pharmaceutical industry. Relying on its own international network of 140 company-owned offices in 50 countries, World Courier works closely with customers to ensure regulatory compliance and supply chain integrity, and to identify and deliver the best logistical solutions for each individual study or consignment.

Following an extensive review of international Good Practice (GxP) and quality management standards and the successful implementation of company-wide compliance processes in 2009, World Courier meets all necessary standards for GxP-compliant status as it applies to the courier / transport industry. Each World Courier office is also ISO 9001-certified and maintains its own IATA-certified dangerous goods team.

World Courier is the only specialist courier company dedicated to treating every shipment on an individual priority basis and to delivering customised solutions and value-added services to the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.

A partner in clinical trial logistics

With a fully GxP-compliant transport and storage supply chain system in place, World courier meets the most demanding industry expectations for managing time- and temperature-sensitive clinical trial materials.

Clinical trial transport services

Every shipment containing biological specimens, investigational drugs, vaccines, etc. is handled on an individual basis by highly trained World Courier personnel. Clinical trial services include:

• Development of transport schedules to / from investigator sites
• Site assistance including review of protocols, documentation, permits, paperwork, packaging, etc.
• Cold chain services including temperature-controlled packaging, supplies and expertise
• In-transit dry ice / gel-pack replenishment and temperature monitoring
• Strict adherence to global SOPs for all biopharm-related shipments
• Individual shipment monitoring from pick-up to delivery including real-time online tracking with protocol and site-specific details
• Customs clearance and delivery in over 220 territories and nations
• Pre-customs clearance whenever possible for shortest transit times
• Around-the-clock availability, including weekends and holidays

Investigational drug storage depots

World Courier currently operates 11 ISO 9001 GMP-compliant investigational drug storage units in India, Russia, China, Latin America, Australia and South Africa. Leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide rely on these investigational drug storage units to dramatically improve clinical trial logistics in challenging and strategic regulatory environments. World Courier's state-of-the-art facilities offer:

• Validated 15°C to -25°C, 2°C to 8°C, -20°C, and -70°C storage areas for investigational drugs and other temperature sensitive materials, secured in closed lockers to guarantee maximum confidentiality
• Storage space for ancillary supplies and returned drugs in non-temperature-controlled areas
• Comprehensive site management SOPs
• Full-time on-site pharmacists
• Remote Internet-based client access
• Same-day or next-day distribution to in-country locations

Global temperature-controlled transport services

World Courier's sophisticated temperature-controlled transport services are designed to minimise the number of temperature excursions faced by researchers which are now increasingly scrutinised by regulators. Services include:

• Speciality packaging solutions
• Comprehensive guidance with country-specific import requirements
• Global SOPs for all quality-related activities
• In-transit temperature monitoring
• Refrigerated trucking services
• Expedited customs brokerage

IATA-approved dangerous goods courses and climate-controlled transport awareness training

Offered on-site, off-site or via distance-learning video, World Courier delivers one-day IATA-approved dangerous goods courses designed specifically for pharmaceutical professionals who handle biological specimens. Climate-controlled transport awareness training is now also available to customers in various markets.

Global clinical trial logistics seminars

World Courier regularly hosts international one-day seminars on global clinical trial logistics and management for the pharmaceutical industry. Aimed at senior managers, researchers, investigators and policy-makers, these conferences bring together pharmaceutical professionals with other industry stakeholders to address a variety of critical issues including regulatory changes, supply chain efficiencies, outsourcing, developing infrastructures, temperature control and other important topics facing the industry.

The most recent seminars were held in Beijing (China) in June 2009 and in Berlin (Germany) in October 2009.