Pallets have long been a staple product in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Manufacturers rely on them to transport raw materials and packaging components from the supplier to the production facility, and from there, deliver the packaged goods to the distribution centre ready for shipment to wholesalers and direct to pharmacies. Although the role of pallets today remains unchanged, the requirements for them are far more demanding than they have ever been.
A greater variety of applications and uses has increased the demand for pallets to be made from different materials and in different sizes and styles. Lightweight models for easy shipping or strong and durable varieties for repeated use are just a couple of examples. In the pharmaceutical industry, the specific need for pallets to be used in sterile environments has led to other innovations.
A large number of drug companies still use wooden pallets. Some remain loyal to the humble wooden pallet through tradition, others because of the cost of switching to an alternative. However, a series of incidents where pharmaceutical manufacturers were forced to recall contaminated products has put a question mark over the safety of using wooden pallets in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
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