The International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA), which represents global manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, today requested urgent action by governments and pharmaceutical supply chain stakeholders to reopen air freight routes and ensure patients around the globe can continue to have access to the medicines they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Air freight is a crucial part of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Pharmaceutical manufacturers rely on capacity in passenger flights to ship medicines and ingredients rapidly and securely,” said Hanan Sboul, IGBA Chair. “With the pandemic nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a dramatic reduction in commercial air passenger flights that normally carry these pharmaceutical goods.”

“The IGBA calls for urgent discussion and coordination between governments, air carriers, logistics operators such as freight forwarders and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that generic and biosimilar medicines manufacturers can continue to produce and ship medicines to where they are needed. A prompt, integrated international approach is required to avoid shortages in the supply of medicines during these critical times,” urged Sboul.

See also:

• COVID-19: Critical to keep the supply chain of essential medicines manufacturing operating at full capacity

• Use of generic medicines around the world