THL strengthens Finland's crisis preparedness with the OC Logistics system
The collaboration between the Finnish company OneClinic and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has progressed to the implementation of the OC Logistics system. 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.
“I am very pleased with the implementation of OC Logistics. Although the workload was heavy, everything went really well. The official implementation took place on April 13,” says Minna Manner-Lehtinen, Responsible Director of THL’s pharmaceutical wholesale trade.
Senior Specialist Joel Haverinen, who was responsible for the project on THL’s side, has experience with several system implementations. “I know there are usually always some small surprises, as there were this time, but that is part of the process,” Haverinen says. “The expertise and support of the OneClinic team were absolutely superior, so we did not encounter any actual problems at any stage.”
The challenge – and reward – of a multi-vendor environment
Alongside OneClinic, the project has involved Marianne Rantanen, Project Manager from the consulting company Gofore, who has had a responsible role in THL’s development projects for a few years now. She points out that this was not just an implementation project, as it also involved development work. ”Cooperation in a multi-vendor environment has gone well. In an open atmosphere, work goes smoothly and the direction is shared,” Rantanen states. ”Our good cooperation will also continue in the future.”
Senior Specialist Joel Haverinen (left), CEO Veli-Matti Pietilä, Responsible Director Minna Manner-Lehtinen ja Project Manager Marianne Rantanen.
A massive project moved from testing to production
“This has been a big project,” says Veli-Matti Pietilä, CEO of OneClinic. “Hundreds of thousands orders are processed through Logistics annually, but the security classification of the THL project and the special features related to the emergency stockpiles raised the project’s requirements to a new level.”
The geopolitical situation has changed the 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 completely by surprise.
“We can no longer afford that,” Pietilä says. “On the eastern edge of the EU area, 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.”