EU crisis preparedness is strengthened in Finland – THL launches the implementation of OC Logistics

Last year, the Finnish company OneClinic signed an agreement with the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) to supply the OC Logistics system for use by THL’s pharmaceutical wholesale trade. The system will take the procurement, storage and distribution of vaccines and pharmaceuticals in the pharmaceutical wholesale trade to a new level. The same system will also be used to prepare for threat and crisis situations in the rescEU project.

One of the key tasks of THL’s pharmaceutical wholesale trade is to procure and distribute vaccines included in the national vaccination programme. In recent years, the pharmaceutical wholesale trade’s operations have continuously expanded and diversified. Toni Relander, Director of Wholesale Trade, says that the scope of tasks has expanded significantly since the trade became responsible for the procurement and storage of pharmaceuticals in the emergency stocks included in the rescEU project.

Implementation at the beginning of the year

The OC Logistics system is currently undergoing acceptance testing and will be implemented early next year.

“This has been a large project, even on our scale,” says Veli-Matti Pietilä, CEO of OneClinic. “Over a hundred thousand orders and warehouse transactions are processed through OC Logistics annually, but the security classification of the project by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the special features related to the emergency storage raised the project’s requirements to a new level.”

The geopolitical situation has changed attitude towards the storage and logistics of medical products throughout Europe. In 2020, the pandemic took many parties responsible for the distribution of vaccines and protective equipment by surprise. “We can no longer afford that,” Pietilä reminds us. “As a border neighbour to Russia, we have a special position in many ways. Europe, and especially Sweden, values ​​our resilience in exceptional situations. The solutions used and implemented here are closely monitored.”

EU-level preparedness is strengthened

The rescEU project includes common EU emergency stockpiles across Europe. The project aims to strengthen the EU’s preparedness to respond to large-scale disasters, threats, and crises. The new rescEU stockpile established in Finland focuses on vaccines, medicines, medical supplies, and equipment essential for responding to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

“RescEU emergency stockpiling requires a new way of thinking from us,” says Toni Relander from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

“OC Logistics will play a significant role in preparing for and managing crisis situations,” says Veli-Matti Pietilä. “And this does not only apply to Finland; it is an EU-wide issue.”