Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Size By Type of Logistics, By Procedure, By Application, By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Size And Forecast

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market size was valued at USD 165.94 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 429.11 Billion by 2031 , growing at a CAGR of 12.61% from 2024 to 2031. Pharmaceutical logistics is a vital part of the healthcare supply chain, encompassing the transportation, storage, and distribution of pharmaceutical products from manufacturers to end users. This specialized field ensures that pharmaceuticals including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, and biologics are delivered safely, efficiently, and in compliance with strict regulatory standards. Given the sensitivity of these products, maintaining integrity, security, and regulatory compliance throughout the supply chain is paramount.

A key function of pharmaceutical logistics involves transporting and storing raw materials for drug manufacturing, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. Effective logistics management is essential to preserve the quality and efficacy of these materials, especially since temperature control is critical for temperature-sensitive items.

Additionally, the rising focus on personalized medicine and biologics significantly influences the future of pharmaceutical logistics. Personalized medicine tailors treatment to individual patient characteristics, necessitating the transport of small, customized quantities of medications.

Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the global pharmaceutical logistics market include:

Key Market Drivers

Growing Pharmaceutical Industry and Global Drug Sales:

The expansion of the pharmaceutical industry and increasing global drug sales are driving the demand for efficient logistics solutions. According to Verified Market Research, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Equipment Market market size is estimated to be valued at USD 13.95 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a value of USD 22.41 Billion by 2031.

Rise in Temperature-Sensitive Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceuticals:

The increasing production and distribution of temperature-sensitive drugs and biopharmaceuticals are driving the need for specialized cold chain logistics. According to Verified Market Research, the Biopharmaceutical Market size was valued at USD 413.83 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 674.66 Billion by 2031, with a growing CAGR of 6.30% from 2024 to 2031.

E-commerce Growth in the Pharmaceutical Sector:

The rapid growth of e-commerce in the pharmaceutical sector, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is driving demand for efficient last-mile delivery and direct-to-patient logistics solutions. In the United States, e-commerce sales of health, personal care, and beauty products grew by 32.4% in 2020, reaching USD 72.1 Billion (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021).

Key Challenges

Stringent Regulatory Requirements:

The pharmaceutical logistics providers must adhere to strict regulations to maintain product quality and safety, which can be complex and costly to implement. In the EU, approximately 200 Good Distribution Practice (GDP) inspections are conducted annually, with non-compliance rates ranging from 5% to 15%.

Temperature Excursion and Product Spoilage:

Maintaining proper temperature control throughout the supply chain is crucial but challenging, leading to potential product spoilage and financial losses. It's estimated that 25% of vaccines reach their destination degraded because of incorrect shipping procedures, with losses amounting to USD 34.1 Billion annually (World Health Organization, 2020).

High Operating Costs and Infrastructure Requirements:

The pharmaceutical logistics market faces challenges due to the high costs associated with specialized equipment, storage facilities, and transportation. The average cost to build a pharmaceutical-grade warehouse is estimated at $250-$350 per square foot, significantly higher than standard warehouses at $50-$65 per square foot.

Key Trends

Adoption of Digitalization and Advanced Technologies:

Digitalization is transforming the pharmaceutical logistics industry, enhancing drug safety, productivity, and overall processes. Implementation of IoT in pharmaceutical logistics is projected to reduce operational costs by 25% and increase productivity by 30% by 2025.

Growth of Direct-to-Patient (DTP) and Last-Mile Delivery Models:

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly adopting direct-to-patient delivery models, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expansion of Cold Chain Logistics for Biopharmaceuticals:

With the rise of temperature-sensitive biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, there's a growing trend towards specialized cold chain logistics.

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Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the global pharmaceutical logistics market:

Europe

Europe substantially dominates the Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market driven by the robust pharmaceutical industry and cross-border trade.

The significant increase in pharmaceutical trade across key European countries is a major driver for the market.

The European pharmaceutical market was valued at €277.7 billion in 2021, accounting for 23.4% of the global market (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, EFPIA, 2022).

Pharmaceutical exports from the EU reached €474 billion in 2020, with Germany (€89.2 billion), Ireland (€79.1 billion), and Switzerland (€71.5 billion) being the top exporters (Eurostat, 2021).

Europe's stringent regulatory environment and high-quality standards drive the need for specialized pharmaceutical logistics services.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) conducted 420 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections in 2020, ensuring high-quality standards across the supply chain (EMA Annual Report, 2021).

The EU's Falsified Medicines Directive led to the implementation of a €1 billion Europe-wide medicine verification system in 2019, enhancing traceability and security in pharmaceutical logistics (European Medicines Verification Organisation, 2020).

The expansion of Europe's biopharmaceutical sector is driving demand for specialized cold chain logistics.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the global pharmaceutical logistics market during the forecast period owing to the rapid growth of the pharmaceutical industry in the region.

According to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products, China's pharmaceutical exports reached USD 24.6 Billion in 2020, a year-on-year increase of 31%.

The World Health Organization reported that healthcare spending in the Asia Pacific region was expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.1% between 2020 and 2024, outpacing the global average of 5.4%.

According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the number of people aged 65 and above in the region is projected to more than double from 535 million in 2019 to 1.3 billion by 2050.

Government initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical distribution. China's "Healthy China 2030" plan aims to build a comprehensive healthcare system, with healthcare expenditure projected to reach USD 2.3 Trillion by 2030, according to the Chinese State Council.

The Indian government's "Pharma Vision 2020" initiative aims to make India a global leader in end-to-end drug manufacturing. As part of this, the government approved production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes worth ₹15,000 crore for the pharmaceutical sector in 2021.

Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market is segmented based on Type of Logistics, Procedure, Application, And Geography.

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market, By Type of Logistics

• Cold Chain Logistics
• Non-Cold Logistics

Based on the Type of Logistics, the Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market is bifurcated into Cold Chain Logistics, Non-Cold Logistics. The cold chain logistics segment dominates the global pharmaceutical logistics market. This dominance is primarily due to the rising demand for temperature-controlled products, such as COVID-19 vaccines, which require precise temperature management to preserve their efficacy. Stringent government regulations on maintaining proper temperatures for highly sensitive pharmaceuticals further boost the segment's growth.

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market, By Procedure

• Picking
• Storage
• Retrieval Systems
• Handling Systems

Based on the Procedure, the Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market is bifurcated into Picking, Storage, Retrieval Systems, and Handling Systems. The storage segment dominates the global pharmaceutical logistics market owing to the growing demand for both generic and branded pharmaceutical products. The need for sophisticated storage facilities has surged to ensure the preservation of product efficacy post-production and to manage the seamless distribution through various channels to distributors and retailers.

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market, By Application

• BioPharma
• Chemical Pharma
• Specialty Pharma

Based on the Application, the Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market is bifurcated into BioPharma, Chemical Pharma, and Specialty Pharma. The Biopharma segment dominates the global pharmaceutical logistics market owing to its complex supply chains, which often involve multiple transportation modes and storage facilities. Maintaining precise temperature control throughout the supply chain is critical for ensuring product potency and safety. Additionally, strict regulatory compliance, including adherence to Good Distribution Practices (GDP), plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and effective distribution of biopharma products, further reinforcing this segment's prominence in the pharmaceutical logistics market.

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market, By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World

Based on Geography, the Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Europe substantially dominates the global pharmaceutical logistics market driven by the robust pharmaceutical industry and cross-border trade. The significant increase in pharmaceutical trade across key European countries is a major driver for the market. The European pharmaceutical market was valued at €277.7 billion in 2021, accounting for 23.4% of the global market (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, EFPIA, 2022). Pharmaceutical exports from the EU reached €474 billion in 2020, with Germany (€89.2 billion), Ireland (€79.1 billion), and Switzerland (€71.5 billion) being the top exporters (Eurostat, 2021). Europe's stringent regulatory environment and high-quality standards drive the need for specialized pharmaceutical logistics services.

Key Players

• The "Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are
• Agility, Air Canada, CEVA Logistics, DB Schenker, Deutsche Post AG, FedEx, LifeConEx, Marken, United Parcel Service of America, Inc., and VersaCold Logistics Services.
• This section offers in-depth analysis through a company overview, position analysis, the regional and industrial footprint of the company, and the ACE matrix for insightful competitive analysis. The section also provides an exhaustive analysis of the financial performances of mentioned players in the given market.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Key Developments

• In January 2024, NX Netherlands announced the acquisition of IATA CEIV Pharma accreditation for their warehouse near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. NX Netherlands has received IATA accreditation for pharmaceutical handling, ensuring safe and high-quality shipments.
• In January 2024, Turkish Cargo announced the launch of breakthrough pharmaceutical logistics solutions, displaying their commitment to handling medicines and medical consignments perfectly. The company holds an IATA CEIV Pharma certificate, which ensures the safe shipment of pharmaceutical products.