World Courier Depot in Uruguay
By Jaqueline Escotero

Unlike any other depots in the region, World Courier’s 3PL depot in Montevideo, Uruguay is able to provide
effective and cost efficient storage and fast distribution across the entire
South American region. Bulk of parcel shipments can be quickly moved to any
location in the LATAM region with efficiency, reducing the dependencies of long
distance storage facilities and longer transit times. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical
manufacturers may benefit from state of the art commercial storage
infrastructure and capacity.
Through the Uruguay depot solution, patients experience fewer delays and
clinical trial therapy providers gain massive operational benefits. Trials in
South America can now be completed with greater speed; helping to deliver
broader and better patient access. Essentially, the new Uruguay depot drives
collaboration between trials and patients, offering a competitive advantage and
innovation in a time-sensitive industry.
Why is this important and what motivated the launch of this new depot?
Moving patients to receive treatment in sites or hospitals can be a
stressful activity, particularly during a pandemic. By bringing
temperature-controlled logistics and specialty medicine directly to patient’s
homes quickly and safely, World Courier’s Uruguay depot will support therapies
and patients in South America with precision, integrity, and care.
Lead times for the delivery of products requiring specialty logistics
are now finally reduced – which is critical for both Direct-to-Patient Services and Expanded
Access Programs
(EAPs) across the region.
Strategically located as a free-trade zone inside the airport, sensitive
and expensive products may be moved from the aircraft to a qualified cold
chamber within minutes of arrival. Customs duties and taxes are either exempt or minimized. Efficient
systems and special regime allow minimum handling and moving with maximum
control efficiency.
An overview of the benefits of the Uruguay depot
Tax and legal framework, high security and best-in-class infrastructure are making a great difference and benefiting clinical trials and access to medication across South America.
What kind of track record do we have in dealing with pandemics?
Back in 1985 World Courier already started making a profound difference
in our contribution to the advance of medicine by transporting HIV blood
samples. Working closely with airlines, developing and demonstrating safe
packaging, training staff and stakeholders. We might not have realized it at
the time, but we were already establishing ourselves as a strategical partner
to global healthcare supply chains.
Currently, our local team in Uruguay continue to prove their ability to
complete extensive feasibility checks, mobilize, and scale up at short notice
to provide services so that patients receive life-changing treatment on-time.