In 2024, the European pharmaceutical sector recorded EUR 313.4 billion in exports and EUR 119.7 billion in imports, continuing a nearly decade-long trajectory of steady growth. In parallel, the global pharmaceutical transportation services market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.71% between 2025 and 2030. Driving this growth on both fronts are two key factors. The first one is the rising demand for temperature-sensitive biologics, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies. The second one is related to “staple” medications that are essential to supporting Europe’s aging population.
Alongside a rising burden of diseases, the EU recently faced a pandemic as well, which revealed gaps in how drug shortages are addressed, ultimately underscoring the importance of having a crisis-resistant system in place. This, along with other factors, such as the EU’s growing dependence on non-EU countries for importing medicines and their active ingredients, necessitated a unified, strategic response at the regulatory level.
When isolated updates are not enough: the upcoming EU Pharma Package
On June 4, 2025 – more than 20 years since the last comprehensive revision – the Council of the European Union put forth a major legislative initiative: the EU Pharma Package. Bearing in mind the current and projected challenges affecting the EU pharmaceutical industry, it aims to develop a fairer, more competitive, and resilient EU pharmaceutical sector. This regulatory initiative is expected to affect not only the development and manufacturing of medicines but also to proactively address various issues related to infrastructure, supply chains, national availability, stock management, and other related areas.
At its core, the package includes two core proposals: a regulation containing EU procedures for the authorization and supervision of medicinal products and rules for the European Medicines Agency, and a directive establishing a Union code for medicinal products. Regarding the following steps, a potential agreement is expected in late 2025, followed by a formal publication in 2026 and a transposition period of up to 36 months, which puts the approximate deadline for full implementation across Member States in the year 2029.
With the European Parliament set to join the negotiations in the next stage, the upcoming changes have the potential to transform how medicines are developed, regulated, and accessed across the EU. With a strong focus on distribution, supply chain security, transparency, and sustainability, the new regulatory package will inevitably impact the pharma logistics industry as well, setting new standards for vehicles, handling, storage, shipment tracking, and many other aspects.
Staying ahead of the curve: strategic focus areas for pharma logistics
Dictated by the wide variety of pharmaceutical products on the market today, the need to ensure a stable transportation environment that aligns with specific drug-related requirements is a non-negotiable for every carrier. With that said, the demand for high-value, temperature-sensitive drugs, as well as biologics, cell and gene therapies, and novel vaccines, is high: in the EU, temperature-controlled transportation is a must for about 80% of all pharma products. This trend is stretching the carriers’ capacity for temperature-sensitive cargo and the overall infrastructure needed for its handling, storage, and inter-modal transfers. The stakes are high in this sector, as even slight variations can degrade the quality and efficacy of temperature-sensitive medications, making them ineffective or even harmful to patients.
Alongside the building pressure from the pharmaceutical industry, the logistics sector is increasingly relying on the rapid advances of the technological landscape. Although the different solutions and opportunities stemming from technological advancements are highly varied in their scope and application, the goal is shared: to address the industry’s growing need for precision, speed, transparency, and compliance. This need is also mirrored in the upcoming EU Pharma Package, which places stronger emphasis on supply chain integrity, availability, and resilience across Member States. As part of this shift, carriers are expected to meet higher expectations for visibility, traceability, and coordination.
Zooming out further, regulatory changes also correspond with the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) framework. From unpredictable geopolitical events whose influence stretches far and wide to rapidly shifting consumer expectations and regulatory updates, pharma supply chains must respond by building resilient, tech-enabled logistics ecosystems to navigate such uncertainty without compromising on consistency, control, and compliance.
Transitioning from one-off improvements to digital ecosystems
Traditionally, integrating sensors or other built-in devices, building scanners, or investing in other technological advancements was a well-calculated decision with a direct outcome. However, large-scale changes implemented by ambitious global players during the past decade are showing the undeniable benefits of focusing on the big picture, i.e., developing an entire ecosystem of interrelated equipment and digital solutions. Enhanced visibility and control across the supply chain are the winning outcomes on this route: cloud-based platforms enable centralized coordination and real-time tracking, while AI and data analytics improve decision-making in route optimization, demand forecasting, and risk management. In addition, automation and robotics are particularly empowering to warehousing and packaging efficiency. Concerning pharma logistics in particular, these tools reduce manual errors that could potentially compromise temperature integrity – one of the most critical factors in transporting sensitive medical products. The EU Pharma Package reinforces the need for such upgrades by highlighting the urgency of developing traceable, secure, and adaptive supply chains that can withstand future disruptions. Meanwhile, other innovations on the rise in the logistics sector – including blockchain and AI-powered tools – are setting a new standard for data security and traceability in an increasingly digital environment.
When A-to-Z is not enough: navigating data transparency in the EU market
Besides the fact that pharma shipments require precise transport conditions, the EU Pharma Package will also introduce new procedures for handling drug shortages in Member States. This update is expected to further raise the pressure on carriers to deliver efficiently and on time – every time. Driven by regulators, manufacturers, and end users alike, the demand for increased transparency is reshaping expectations for the capabilities of a reliable and compliant logistics partner in the pharmaceutical sector.
The complexity of modern pharma supply chains, especially those stretching across multiple countries and continents, goes hand in hand with expectations for not just timely delivery, but also proof that every shipment has remained within tightly controlled environmental parameters. As real-time visibility becomes the new benchmark, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and distributors increasingly choose their partners based on their ability to provide live updates on shipment conditions, such as temperature, humidity, location, and even handling phases. This is where advanced tools such as integrated sensor networks, automated reporting, and cloud-based dashboards bring a future-proof competitive edge.
From green ambitions to GDP standards: en route to future-forward compliance
Beyond speed and transparency, sustainability is also establishing itself as a priority of every ambitious player in EU logistics. As the EU Pharma Package sharpens its focus on environmentally responsible practices, logistics providers are facing both a challenge and a clear opportunity: to adapt operations in a way that aligns with evolving environmental standards.
For carriers, this primarily includes investing in energy-efficient vehicles, optimizing route planning, and integrating low-impact solutions into everyday operations. These measures no longer act as optional add-ons – they are fast becoming the baseline expectation from regulators, customers, and stakeholders alike. With the regulatory commitment to track Scope 3 emissions, choosing a green logistics partner is also a winning move for pharmaceutical companies and other providers in this industry as well.
At its core, environmental compliance increasingly overlaps with technological upgrades as well, making sustainability a “side effect” that must be factored into the equation for business investments. By integrating temperature sensors with telematics systems, logistics managers can ensure shipments remain within strict temperature thresholds, ultimately safeguarding product quality, reducing spoilage risks, and maintaining full compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards. These systems generate detailed data logs that can be used for audits, internal reporting, or regulatory verification.
What lies ahead for the pharma supply chain?
As the EU Pharma Package approaches implementation, the pressure is on not just for pharmaceutical manufacturers, but for every link in the supply chain. In this context, logistics emerges as a strategic pillar for compliance, performance, and sustainability. With regulations tightening, technologies advancing, and expectations rising, providers that fail to evolve risk falling behind.
To remain competitive in this shifting landscape, logistics companies must take act on multiple fronts. This means adopting a long-term outlook on infrastructure, building resilient digital ecosystems, and forming partnerships grounded in transparency and traceability. Tools such as blockchain, AI-driven forecasting, and sensor-based real-time monitoring will play an essential role in navigating this transition by improving visibility, mitigating risk, reducing human error, and guaranteeing safe, uninterrupted delivery of pharmaceuticals across the EU and beyond.
In this new ecosystem, compliance is no longer just about meeting standards – it is about setting them. A future-ready logistics strategy will depend on the synergy between data, sustainability, and decentralized operations. For logistics providers, this is a unique opportunity to lead the way by turning regulatory transformation into long-term advantage. And, as the incoming regulations intersect with rapid technological progress, seizing this moment will require a proactive approach: investing in digital infrastructure, embracing sustainable practices, and closely monitoring the evolving regulatory landscape.
