Puerto Rico Pharma Cold Chain AirHub CEIV/IATA Certification Workshop

Economic RSF Representatives, led by Juan Bauzá, participated in the Puerto Rico Pharma Cold Chain AirHub CEIV/IATA Certification Workshop. The workshop was organized by INDUNIV and the International Air Transportation Association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV) certification program, with substantial support from Economic RSF. A total of 91 people attended.

INDUNIV Executive Director, Ivan Lugo, opened and explained the purpose of the workshop is to give the Puerto Rico transportation and logistics industry an understanding of both the commitment required and value of CEIV. CEIV Certification is important to the life sciences industry, and Puerto Rico has a unique opportunity to utilize it, while positioning Puerto Rico as a major air cargo hub. PR Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce, Manuel Laboy, also participated, pledged DDEC’s support, and stated that CEIV represents an important opportunity for Puerto Rico to build on its strengths in the life sciences industry. INDUNIV member and Amgen’s (NASDAQ:AMGN) Director of Global Supply Chain – North America, Danny Rodriguez, discussed the success of Amgen’s regional hub in PR, which ships to 80 nations.

Ronald Schaefer, Senior Principal at IATA, provided a detailed presentation of CEIV’s history, function, and outlined the steps to approval. Other participants stressed the need for improved infrastructure in Puerto Rico needed to advance this initiative. Mr. Schaefer stated that by 2024, the pharma cold chain market could be $440 billion, with the bio pharma market projected to be approximately $1.58 trillion. Juan Bauzá made closing remarks with a request that all industry participants attend a follow-up discussion in early November to gauge interest and next steps. Assuming CEIV Certification will be obtained by one or more stakeholders and the industry can prosper, this event will advance IRWA SOW Item 1(d), as well as COAs: ECN 40, TXN 3, and (indirectly) TXN 4.