Turkey Exports Pharmaceuticals to 154 Countries

Turkey's pharmaceutical exports rose 27.4 percent as the country supplies medicines to 154 countries across six continents. Ralph Hemmerling, Director of Business Development and Special Projects at Fevzi Gandur Logistics, emphasized that the transport and storage of highly sensitive pharmaceuticals requires handling fundamentally different from logistics for all other products. As global demand for medicines increased due to the pandemic, Turkey's exports in this sector grew 27.4 percent, with the country supplying pharmaceuticals to 154 countries across six continents. Ralph Hemmerling, Director of Business Development and Special Projects at Fevzi Gandur Logistics, commented on international trade transportation in the pharmaceutical sector, where demand increased during the pandemic.

"Turkey ranks 14th globally in the pharmaceutical and medical device market"

Citing TURKSTAT data on pharmaceutical exports, Hemmerling shared the following information: "In the January-August period, Turkey's pharmaceutical exports increased 27.4 percent compared to the same months of the previous year, reaching USD 617 million. During this period, the sector's imports declined 7 percent to USD 1.6 billion level, while supplying medicines to 154 countries across six continents." Hemmerling recalled that Turkey, which ranks 14th globally in the pharmaceutical market, aims to become one of the world's top 10 health economies by 2023.

Pharmaceutical logistics demands precision, otherwise it causes harm

Noting that one of his areas of expertise is pharma logistics, Hemmerling stated that the transport and storage of medicines must be handled differently from logistics for all other products. Hemmerling emphasized that damage to medicines transported without proper conditions cannot be detected from the outside, but becomes apparent only when patients use them. Pointing out that damaged medicines can cause serious health problems in patients, Hemmerling said, "This demonstrates how critical pharmaceutical logistics is. Selecting the right logistics partner will also facilitate pharmaceutical manufacturers' fulfillment of their responsibility for human health."

From factory to pharmacy to hospital, every step demands care

Ralph Hemmerling added that medicines must be protected from numerous factors such as humidity, temperature, light and shock, and that this meticulous work continues carefully from production through distribution points, pharmacies and hospitals.