DHL launches final mile solution to the life sciences medical device sector

DHL Supply Chain has launched a new service logistics solution for the medical device sector which it says consolidates field inventory into single locations and uses quality management systems to provide better control and traceability of valuable products.

This solution comes in response to a number of growing industry challenges, including greater demand from an ageing and more active population through to increasing cost pressure from healthcare providers.

These factors have led to an ever-increasing need to better manage inventory, both in the field and in hospital. The final mile solution focuses on the need for companies in the medical device sector to address the compromises between cost and availability and drive efficiencies in field inventory.

Tim Slater, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Life Sciences, says: “This solution draws on our Life Sciences expertise in managing critical lifesaving products and our global capability to organize mission critical deliveries into complex environments.

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“It is replicable, provides high visibility of inventory both inside and outside the hospital and is fully compliant globally with the rigorous standards required.

“It facilitates a reduction of capital commitment for inventory through just-in-time availability to hospitals, removing the requirement for just-in-case storage of medical devices.”

In a statement, DHL said in addition to better managing consigned inventory, the solution will free up medical device sales rep resource from actively manage, check and locate stock to enable more time on interacting with customers.

The solution utilises an established global supply chain infrastructure that is certified to the required standards for each market. The solution is already deployed for a major global provider of medical devices in multiple countries across the world.