Last month, nearly $66,000 worth of products was stolen in a Pfizer Pharmaceuticals shipment destined for a CVS facility in Rhode Island. Now, thieves have struck again, this time in Louisville, Kentucky.
Last Friday, Carnes Trucking Co. received a shipment from a UPS facility in Louisville, loaded with diabetes products manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.
While the load sat at the Carnes’ facility over the weekend, awaiting its destination in Aurora, California, the truck was stolen.
According to police, the tractor trailer and its cargo were discovered missing at 2 a.m. Sunday morning.
As securingpharma.com explains, thieves made away with 37 pallets of glucose test strips, lancets, and other diabetes testing equipment, valuing nearly $4 million.
Although $4 million dollars is a lot of money, Abbott Labs’ estimated cargo loss is actually slightly lower than Freightwatch International’s U.S. average of $5 million per load. But pharmaceutical cargo loss can far exceed the $5 million mark as well. Take last year’s Eli Lilly warehouse theft which resulted in $75 million worth the psychiatric drugs being stolen!
Not only do manufacturers suffer large monetary losses from their stolen shipments, but pharmaceutical theft triggers consumer alerts as well, since these medications can be tampered with and result in health problems when ingested.
That’s why Freightwatch is warning shippers to “review their facility and in-transit security programs” (http://www.securingpharma.com/40/articles/965.php).
How can Road Scholar Transport help?
24/7 Shipping: Cargo at rest is cargo at risk, which is why regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend, Road Scholar is on the road delivering your freight 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering expedited shipping to get your freight there fast.
Security Measures: Our facility security system is constantly monitoring our stationed fleet during the day and at night, while on the road, independent live satellite tracking on both the tractor and trailer keep a close watch on your freight, right down to the street level. Electronic door monitoring alerts of every time a door is opened or closed, as well as Navalock to prevent access to your freight.
Temperature-Protect Services: Improper storage can deem your pharmaceutical products useless. Our ReeferTrak capabilities provide unlimited user-defined temperature alerts, immediately alerting our team of any chances in the temperature of your freight, providing the right environmental conditions of your pharmaceuticals during transport.
Do you want to risk having your pharmaceuticals stolen or would you rather ship with a secure company like Road Scholar Transport?
Learn more about Road Scholar Transport’s services by visiting www.roadscholar.com.
What type of security feature would you like to see placed on trucks in the future?
many trucking companies are closing their doors for good. As was the case Tuesday for one trucking company.
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