|
DoP plans to develop comprehensive logistics plan for pharma and medical devices sector
|
|
Gireesh Babu, New Delhi
April 21 , 2026
|
|
|
The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is planning to rope in experts to study and develop a comprehensive logistics plan for pharmaceutical, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and medical devices sectors for both international and domestic markets.
The study is aimed at identifying the existing challenges in the supply chain, such as infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory bottlenecks, and inefficiencies in current logistics practices and proposing actionable solutions and best practices that can enhance the reliability and efficiency of pharmaceuticals and medical devices logistics.
The Department has called for a Request for Proposal (RFP) from eligible firms for selection of consultancy firms for conducting the study and developing a comprehensive logistics plan.
"The Authority has decided to engage a consultancy firm to support the authority in conducting this study and develop Sectoral Plan for Efficient Logistics (SPEL) for the sector," said the DoP while calling for RFPs.
"The primary objective of the study is to propose strategic interventions that can optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and medical devices logistics in the country," it said.
"These interventions include policy and regulatory provisions, infrastructure advancements (such as warehousing, handling, cold chain management, supply chain, and transportation), and logistics service improvements at critical production and consumption hubs, including at ports," added the DoP.
The DoP solicited RFP from shortlisted consultancy firms after inviting an Expression of Interest (EoI) to conduct a stud, by recognising the dynamic and complex nature of pharma and medical devices logistics—a framework encompassing the flow of all the raw materials (raw-material, in-process inventories and finished goods).
The plan is envisaged to involve mapping and analysing the logistics value chain, including EXIM and the domestic industry. It is expected to assess existing infrastructure facilities, logistics practices, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
"The study will additionally recommend interventions by the DoP and other line ministry(s) to support the future growth of the pharmaceuticals & Med-Tech industry in India, aiming to become a global leader. This will involve adopting the best global practices in logistics and making efficient use of available resources and capacities to reduce the cost of logistics," said the Department in its RFP.
As per the tentative schedule released by the DoP, the RFP document could be downloaded upto 5 pm on May 15, 2026, while the pre-bid queries should be submitted to the department for response on April 30, 2026. The Last date of submission of bid is May 15, 2026. The technical and financial proposals will be opened on May 21, and May 27, respectively.
The study may include exhaustive value-chain mapping, primary and secondary research - surveys and interviews, workshops, and cluster analysis, capacity and capability assessment - transport and multimodal infrastructure, cold-chain and warehousing, logistics services, skilled workforce and technology. It will also conduct a global benchmarking exercise.
On the regulatory and enabling environment, the study will delve into regulatory framework analysis including review of policies, approvals and compliance regimes in the centre, ease of doing business and trade facilitation by analysing EXIM data for the sectors and measure state-level Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) scores, among others.
There would also be a comprehensive gap assessment and analysis of future trends including key gaps, regional disparities, and interventions required for future.
The RFP also proposes to include development of the SPEL for policy and strategy formulation, infrastructure development roadmap, supply chain resiliency plan, digital transformation strategy, sustainability and circularity, performance framework and governance to develop a sectoral plan with SMART KPIs aiming at cost reduction in terms of percentage, transit-time reliability, spoilage rate, customs-clearance lead time, digital adoption index, among others.
The inception report and gap assessment report should be submitted in two months from the date of engagement, and first report on future infrastructure augmentation, including logistics services, technology, regulatory requirements, and skilling requirement etc., in domestic logistics to be submitted in four months from the date of engagement.
The second report on future infrastructure augmentation with project identification in domestic logistics should be submitted in five months from the date of engagement by the DoP, and the SPEL should be completed in six months from the date of engagement. The timeframe for conducting the study will only be extended with the approval of the Department.
In India, the need for a comprehensive study on pharmaceutical and medical device logistics is increasingly critical due to the sectors’ rapid expansion and significant role in both domestic and international markets. The pharmaceutical and medical device industry, which are critical to the nation's health, requires robust logistical support to ensure the efficient flow of goods from manufacturers to consumers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has issued a public advisory urging citizens to report any misleadi ...
|
|
|
|
|