We take the transportation of pharmaceuticals very seriously. That’s why we were the first carrier in the Middle East to be awarded IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification in Pharmaceutical Logistics. Using specially-designed, temperature-controlled equipment, we ship pharmaceuticals in the quickest possible time, adhering to the highest compliance guidelines.
Prioritised ground handling and loading
60 minutes between the aircraft and the cooling facility, subject to local SLA
Temperature-controlled storage and cargo hold temperature devices in the aircraft
Dedicated pharmaceuticals customer service team working 24/7
Pre-cooled thermo blanket protection to and from the aircraft
Trained and experienced ground handling
Convenient connections to more than 70 destinations
22 Qualified Envirotainer Provider (QEP) stations and Global Master Lease Agreement with Envirotainer, CSafe Global, Dokasch, Va-Q-Tec and Skycell
We're immensely proud to be a member of the HOPE Consortium; a complete supply chain solution to facilitate distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide.
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Our COVID-19 workforce handles the shipping requirements of the approved COVID-19 vaccine.
The workforce is working closely with industry partners and stakeholders to manage all elements in the shipping of this vital pharmaceutical product.
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Worldwide pharmaceutical shipments
PharmaLife is available at over 70 destinations on the Etihad network.
Etihad Cargo PharmaLife
We’ve partnered with leading suppliers Envirotainer, Csafe, Dokasch and Va –Q-tec to offer premium leasing options for your pharmaceutical and life science shipments. Our active and hybrid solutions mean that your shipments are always stored and transported safely and securely at the correct temperature.
The RAP e2 is one of the most advanced temperature-controlled air cargo containers, designed for the extreme requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. Having performed more than 23,000 real life pharmaceutical shipments, the RAP e2 container has proven its robustness and can easily carry five Euro pallets or four US pallets. With an insulated container shell, electric heating and compressor cooling system and enhanced air circulation system, the RAP e2 maintains any set temperature between ±0 and +25 °C. In nearly any ambient condition along global shipping routes, it can maintain temperatures in the +2 to +8 °C range or controlled room temperature (+15 to +25 °C) range.
The RKN e1 is a one-pallet size container. Based on a second-generation active temperature control system, it uses compressor cooling and electric heating technology to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for smaller shipments. The RKN e1 container maintains product temperatures in the +2 to +8 °C range, controlled room temperature (+15 to +25 °C) range or at any chosen set temperature between ±0 to +25 °C. It has an insulated container shell, enhanced air circulation, electric heating and compressor cooling, as well as one energy source and batteries that can be recharged at standard AC power connection points. The RKN e1 container also offers data-logging functionality.
The Envirotainer RAP t2 container provides accurate and reliable protection for large shipments of temperature-sensitive products. With an external dimension of 3170mm (L) x 2230mm (W) x 1620mm (H), the RAP is the largest container in the Envirotainer fleet. The RAP can only be forklifted when empty and is most commonly handled with roller beds. The Envirotainer RAP t2 container features Envirotainer’s proven dry-ice-based active temperature control system and enables air transportation of both frozen and chilled product.
The Envirotainer RKN t2 container provides accurate and reliable protection for shipments of temperature-sensitive products. With an external dimension of 2000mm (L) x 1535mm (W) x 1620mm (H), the RKN is the medium-size container in the Envirotainer fleet. The RKN can be forklifted. The Envirotainer RKN t2 container features Envirotainer’s proven dry-ice-based active temperature control system and enables air transportation of both frozen and chilled products.
The RKN is the only compressor-driven refrigeration unit with precise temperature management of +4°C to +25°C . The robust insulation and thermal capabilities will withstand extended hold times and delays in transit. The battery life is over 100 hours at +25°C and, because there is no dry ice, there are no special handling charges or charges for hazardous goods. In addition, the data tracking device monitors and verifies the payload temperature to aid regulatory compliance and data is easily downloadable via a USB. The CSafe RKN is certified by the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, Hong Kong CAD, Irish Aviation Authority and Australian CASA.
The CSafe RAP is the latest innovation in high-performing temperature controlled containers that combines innovative heating and compressor-driven cooling technologies with advanced VIP insulation to eliminate the risks associated with extreme ambient conditions (-30°C to +54°C) and long-duration shipments. User-selectable temperature set points from +4°C to +25°C in 1°C increments, with a battery run time of up to 120 hours. Automated data from 10 temperature sensors is available to download to a USB directly from the container. The CSafe RAP is certified by the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, Hong Kong CAD, Irish Aviation Authority and Australian CASA.
With quadruple redundancy for all critical components, the DoKaSch Opticooler RAP container reliably controls temperatures within the range of +2°C to +30°C. Its touchscreen control panel makes it easy to use and it’s also cost-effective; with space for up to five Euro pallets or four US pallets. With an extremely large battery capacity, highly advanced compressor technology and integrated CPU, the Opticooler outperforms all comparable units. The battery charging time is between two to four hours and the container does not require dry ice.
The Dokasch Opticooler RKN is reliable, cost-effective and user-friendly, with a large battery capacity, advanced compressor technology and integrated CPU, as well as a touchscreen control panel. With space for one Euro pallet or one US pallet, the container reliably maintains temperatures within the range of +2°C to +30°C. The battery charging time is between two to four hours and the container does not require dry ice.
The va-Q-tainer is a high-performing rental container which incorporates vacuum insulation and phase change materials to maintain the required temperature for more than five days. va-Q-tec’s Advanced Passive Alternative is delivered to you quality-checked and preconditioned, ready to LOAD & GO. The LOAD & GO Service simplifies the container handling during product loading and unloading as well as during transport, providing a reliable packaging solution for the most challenging trade lanes. The single and double pallet solutions from va-Q-tec allow customers efficient use of payload space, preserving the efficacy, quality and value of pharmaceutical and biological products with one configuration for all seasons and hemispheres, not requiring power supply, fans or batteries. Six temperature ranges from -40 to +25°C with PCM Elements, or up to -70°C with dry ice Constant temperature, easy handling, low risk and high reliability Performance at +2°C - +8°C from 120 to 230 hours
Passive solutions for pharmaceutical shipments
In addition to your own autonomous packaging, we offer main temperature ranges solutions such as COL (+2+8°C) CRT (+15+25°C) and ERT (+2+25°C). Our PharmaLife passive solution provides storage handling into qualified and yearly calibrated cool rooms according to your temperature range specification. We ensure minimising breaks in the chain by providing short time SLA as well as temperature controlled holds while inflight. To make sure passive cargo is kept at the required temperature between aircraft and the cool facilities, pre-cooled thermal blankets are used which stabilises the environment of the shipment shielding it from extreme weather and temperature fluctuations. Constructed from a double layer of waterproof PVC material, the blanket can be used as a primary or secondary protection. Pharmaceutical cargo is positioned in the aircraft to allow for quick off loading and priority movement to the cool facilities in the hub.
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If you’ve got a question about any of our products or services, we’re here to help.