110038 - LOGISTICS OF THE CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR

Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Jesus Ezequiel Martínez Marín

Trimester: Second term

Credits: 5

• Spanish

This subject is online

Classes will be taught in Spanish, and most of the theory for the sessions will be in the same language. Some case studies, exercises and supplementary material (videos, articles, whitepapers, etc.) will be shared in English.

The final exam will be in Spanish, although it will be provided in English if any student requires it.

L'alumne tindrà llibertat per desenvolupar els treballs (escrits i presentacions) i l'examen final en castellà, català o anglès.

The chemical, pharmaceutical and food sectors have the particularity of managing products that require cold treatment, which have an expiration date and which in many involve the handling of materials with changes of state, volatile and even dangerous. To handle these particularities efficiently, the three sectors have begun in recent years a major transformation around their operations. This transformation has been driven by a change in the global economic environment. Globalization, the constant mergers and acquisitions of companies and the digital disruption have caused a paradigm shift in sectors that are very leveraged in traditional operations. Concepts such as collaboration with other supply chain agents and real-time data analysis have begun to resonate in logistics environments. Both in the distribution and storage of products. 

The ambitions of the best companies in the sector with regard to transport and storage speak of ensuring the level of customer service through agility in operations. 

Throughout the course, the chemical, pharmaceutical and food sectors will be analyzed, which, despite being three well-differentiated sectors, have a very similar context and needs. The particularities of transport (land, sea and air) will be discussed in terms of specific conditions such as controlled temperature, handling and conditioning of the product. The main regulations, certifications and procedures for transport and storage will be reviewed. All with the aim of understanding how these sectors face the new challenges and the new commercial conditions of the international context.

Understand the current context of the chemical, pharmaceutical and food sectors in logistics (distribution and storage), identifying the specific needs of these sectors and the main innovations that are being generated in recent years.

Online documentation: Theoretical material of the shared subject in presentation format in the virtual classroom

Guided learning: Discussions and forums, Case study, Use of computer tools applied to the subject

Autonomous learning: Problem solving, Research and critical reading of articles, Non-contact tutorials

Unit 1: Trends and needs of the sector

This first unit of the course summarizes current trends in the sector and its needs.

Unit 2: Storage and distribution of chemicals and pharmaceuticals

In this unit we will study in detail the particularities of the pharmaceutical and chemical sector in terms of transport and storage. Focusing on the following points:

• Topic 1: Distribution of products by land, sea and air
• Topic 2: Procedures required for handling time and temperature sensitive goods
• Topic 3: Proper temperature management
• Topic 4: Packaging technologies in the distribution process

Unit 3: Logistical certifications

The aim of this unit is to delve into the main logistics certifications required in the sector.

Unit 4: SOP and main Metrics

This unit will review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and main metrics used in the sector such as Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Throughout the course, students will be asked to carry out different types of activities:

• Solving exercises and cases individually or in groups.
• Individual research work.

In general, all assignments will be published in the virtual classroom and will be supported by digital material (statement and reading cases or videos) and students will have to make the delivery on the required date through the virtual classroom.

The final grade will be the weighting of the grades obtained in the activities carried out throughout the term. To pass the course, the final grade must be equal to or greater than 5 points out of 10.

The evaluation will take into account the following aspects with the assessments indicated:

• Cases and practical exercises: 35%
• Final work of the subject: 15%
• Final exam: 50%

All the exercises are compulsory, if a maximum of two exercises are missing, the mark corresponding to the continuous assessment will be "Zero", that is, it will not count for the average with the rest of the subject.

Students who do not take the final exam will not be entitled to the resit exam.

A minimum grade of 4 points out of 10 is required in the final exam so that it averages with the other grades of the subject, otherwise the student must take the resit exam.

The mark of the resit exam will not average with the other marks obtained during the course and in the case of passing the exam will be with a mark of "5 / Passed".

5. Ministerio de fomento: https://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM/LANG_CASTELLANO/DIRECCIONES_GENERALES/TRANSPORTE_TERRESTRE/_INFORMACION/NORMATIVA/listadoMercPeli.htm

2. Rees, Hedley. Supply Chain Management in the Drug Industry. New Jersey: Feb 2011

3. Whewell, Rob. Supply Chain in the Pharmaceutical Industry. United States: 2010

4. Good Manufacturing and Distribution Practices: https://ec.europa.eu/health/human-use/good_distribution_practice_en

1. Kannegiesser, Matthias. Value Chain Management in the Chemical Industry. Heidelberg, Germany: 2008