Go behind the scenes of LogiPharma USA 2026 with program director Charleen Ring and McKesson's Chris Van Norman in this Pharma Pulse special.
News|Podcasts|March 17, 2026
Pharma Pulse: Regional Cold Chain Disruptions and AstraZeneca Blueprint for Decarbonizing Supply Chain Heat
Author(s)Stephen Appezzato
In today's Pharma Pulse, ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupts critical pharmaceutical cold chains, while AstraZeneca and partners launch a new program to decarbonize industrial heat across global supply chains.
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Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast in which we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and let’s get into today’s headlines.
- Ongoing conflict in the Middle East is
disrupting pharmaceutical cold chains, impacting global air cargo capacity. Key logistics hubs like Dubai and Doha are facing restrictions, forcing drugmakers to reroute temperature-sensitive oncology therapies and vaccines through alternative corridors in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Experts warn that inventory buffers in Gulf markets could run low within four to six weeks if these constraints persist. - Meanwhile, AstraZeneca has partnered with ERM and Secaro to launch the
Clean Heat Program to decarbonize industrial supply chains. Industrial process heat is a dominant driver of emissions, accounting for roughly 60% of facility footprints, yet renewable adoption at manufacturing sites remains below 10%. The initiative provides suppliers with technical roadmaps and financing solutions to bridge the gap in low-carbon energy transition.
That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access, visit
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