A temperature variation of just a few degrees beyond the permitted range can compromise the efficacy of a vaccine or biological treatment. The result is a critical health risk, a lost batch, and a chain of liability.
In 2025, the EU accounted for 52.8% of Swiss exports from the chemical, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries, according to Science Industries.
This figure underscores the scale of cross-border shipments affected by temperature control.
In 2026, IATA noted that real-time tracking, thermal packaging, and active or passive cooling systems are now basic requirements: a single temperature deviation can render a shipment non-compliant (air transport).
For supply chain, quality, and procurement managers in the Swiss pharmaceutical sector, every link in the cold chain matters.
This article explains how to ensure the secure storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Switzerland, and how STAR Logistique manages this process end-to-end.
Why there is no room for compromise in the storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Switzerland
The storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Switzerland involve storing, tracking, and delivering medications in strict compliance with Good Distribution Practices (GDP).
Every step is closely regulated. A single temperature fluctuation outside the specified range can compromise the efficacy of a vaccine or biologic, with a direct impact on patient safety.
The Swiss legal framework is precise. According to the Therapeutic Products Act and the Authorization Ordinance, the storage of medications falls under the definition of manufacturing or wholesale distribution. It is therefore, in principle, subject to authorization requirements.
A logistics company may be exempt from this obligation only under a GMP-compliant subcontracting agreement with a marketing authorization holder, monitored through audits [1].
The revised BPD Directive, in effect since 2016, constitutes the mandatory quality standard for the entire distribution chain in Switzerland. Swissmedic oversees this market to ensure the safety and integrity of medicines.
Mandatory refrigerated storage is considered a critical activity. It requires authorization from Swissmedic even when storage during transport lasts less than 72 hours.
The business implications are significant. Non-compliance or a break in the cold chain carries the risk of a product recall, the loss of high-value inventory, and regulatory penalties.
The issue, therefore, is not merely about storage, but about demonstrating compliance at all times. This is what the service described below covers.
STAR Logistique’s pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution Service
STAR Logistique handles end-to-end pharmaceutical logistics.
The service combines a secure infrastructure, tracking technology, and human expertise with dedicated transportation. You entrust the entire process to a single point of contact, from receipt to final delivery.
Products are received at secure warehouses in Geneva, designed to meet and even exceed the GMP standards required by Swissmedic.
The warehouse maintains 24-hour surveillance and strict access controls. Compliance is treated as an ongoing process commitment, supported by qualified zones and full traceability.
Two precise temperature ranges are used for pharmaceutical logistics. They serve as a reference for classifying each product upon receipt.
Temperature Zone
Exact Range
Typical Use
Qualified Ambient
+15°C to +25°C
Medications and pharmaceutical products stable at ambient temperature
Refrigerated
+2°C to +8°C
Vaccines, biologics, and temperature-sensitive refrigerated medications
These two ranges correspond to the standards applied in the Swiss market, where certified service providers offer ambient temperature ranges from +15 to +25°C and refrigerated ranges from +2 to +8°C [2].
The result for you: a clear classification of your products, with no ambiguity regarding storage conditions.
Actionable tip: Map your products according to these two zones before any transfer. You’ll accelerate compliance and reduce the risk of storage errors.
How our logistics process works, step by step
The process follows a simple sequence. Each step reduces a specific risk of non-compliance.
Receiving and compliant storage
Products arrive at our secure, GMP-compliant warehouses in Geneva.
They are inspected and then placed in designated temperature-controlled zones—either ambient or refrigerated. The facility operates with a 24/7 alarm system and restricted access. This step ensures compliance from the moment products enter.
A refrigerated product never leaves the +2°C to +8°C range, even during unloading. You receive a documented storage record, ready to withstand an inspection.
Inventory management and traceability
The warehouse management system (WMS) ensures complete, real-time traceability of every product. Every inventory movement is recorded, from receipt to picking.
This history serves as a reliable audit trail that can be accessed in the event of a regulatory inspection or product recall. You know at all times where a batch is located, in what quantity, and under what conditions.
This visibility minimizes losses and facilitates inventory rotation based on expiration dates.
Order fulfillment and temperature-controlled transport
Our teams prepare orders according to rigorous protocols tailored to the sensitivity of each product. Vehicles are equipped with temperature monitoring systems to preserve product integrity until it reaches its destination.
The seamless transition from the warehouse to the vehicle prevents breaks in the cold chain at the most vulnerable stage: loading. You maintain a continuous temperature record from departure to delivery.
Secure nationwide distribution
Distribution covers hospitals, wholesalers, and pharmacies nationwide. A cross-docking service speeds up the transit of urgent deliveries, without prolonged intermediate storage.
High-value products benefit from secure transportation protocols. Every delivery is tracked.
The result: rapid delivery without losing control over conditions or the physical security of shipments.
This end-to-end process transforms every step into proof of compliance. This is what limits your exposure to the risk of recalls and penalties.
Tracking, traceability, and data security technology
The WMS is the central traceability tool. It provides real-time visibility into inventory, including the status of each SKU and each storage location. This visibility extends from the warehouse through to transportation.
Advanced monitoring systems maintain precise temperatures throughout the supply chain. Temperature tracking does not stop at the warehouse door. It accompanies the product all the way to the delivery point, protecting even the most sensitive vaccines and biologics.
Every inventory movement is recorded to ensure a reliable audit trail during regulatory inspections. These records document who handled what, when, and under what conditions.
Actionable insight: In the event of an audit or batch recall, real-time traceability allows you to isolate the affected units and respond immediately, without having to reconstruct the history manually.
Transportation and fleet dedicated to sensitive pharmaceutical products
Transportation is the link in the cold chain where breaks occur most frequently. STAR Logistique equips its vehicles with temperature monitoring systems.
The fleet includes modern, certified vehicles that are armored when the physical security of the most sensitive shipments requires it.
For high-value shipments, STAR Logistique’s secure transport service implements several measures:
- armored or secured vehicles as needed
- confidential routes
- continuous geolocation tracking
- restricted access to goods
- staff trained in risk management
- customized insurance
STAR Logistique is authorized to domestic transport of ADR and RDG dangerous goods. This applies to active ingredients and pharmaceutical chemicals, which are often classified as dangerous goods.
The security service provider Helveticor also notes that compliance with Good Distribution Practices (GDP), patient safety, and product quality form the framework for all pharmaceutical transport in Switzerland [3].
Temperature-controlled coverage extends to Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. This is a practical service for cross-border distribution, not a network-based selling point.
Concrete example: A batch of vaccines must be shipped from a Swiss warehouse to a hospital. The product remains within the +2°C to +8°C range from preparation through receipt, with continuous temperature monitoring and a secure route. The cold chain is maintained from start to finish, and the hospital receives a batch whose integrity is documented.
Value-added services for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and cosmetics industries
Beyond storage and transportation, we offer a range of additional services to support your operations:
- Packaging tailored to the sensitivity of your products
- Labeling for shipment tracking
- Archiving
- Picking areas for order fulfillment
- Returns management
These services are available at the Geneva warehouse. They are tailored to demanding sectors: pharmaceuticals, medical, biotechnology, cosmetics, and chemicals.
Other Swiss service providers offer comparable services such as repackaging and kit assembly, which confirms the high standards expected in this market [4].
STAR Logistique also supports e-commerce companies that require warehousing, order fulfillment, and cold-chain transportation, with reliable and fast distribution.
The company also operates Emaloja, an integrated e-commerce and e-logistics platform.
Actionable idea: A pharmaceutical company launching an e-commerce business can consolidate temperature-controlled storage, fulfillment, and delivery with a single service provider. This avoids dealing with multiple points of contact and potential breakdowns between different service providers.
The strategic benefits of STAR Logistique for your pharmaceutical supply chain
has been providing logistics services since 1988—more than 38 years. This operational continuity is a testament to stability in an industry where processes must remain consistent over time.
The WMS and cross-docking reduce storage costs and speed up delivery times. Shorter dwell times, improved inventory turnover, and direct transit for urgent orders limit costs without compromising compliance.
The precision of the two temperature ranges—ambient (+15°C to +25°C) and refrigerated (+2°C to +8°C)—is the key factor in reliability. It ensures that every product is stored and transported under the exact conditions specified by its authorization.
Secure handling of hazardous materials and high-value products sets this service apart for customers who handle sensitive active ingredients. You combine temperature compliance, physical security, and ADR/RDG authorization under a single contract.
These points address common questions from teams evaluating a service provider. The FAQ below provides direct answers to these questions.
FAQ on pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution in Switzerland
What is the difference between warehousing and storage for pharmaceutical products? Storage refers to the act of keeping a product in a given location. Warehousing encompasses the entire process: receiving, inspection, placement in a qualified area, inventory management via WMS, order fulfillment, and shipping. For pharmaceutical products, GMP-compliant warehousing requires full traceability and documented maintenance of temperature conditions—not just the simple act of storing the goods.
Yes. STAR Logistique is authorized for the domestic transport of ADR and RDG dangerous goods. This authorization covers active ingredients and pharmaceutical chemicals classified as hazardous materials. You can therefore entrust these shipments to the same service provider as your temperature-controlled medications.
Yes. STAR Logistique handles warehousing, order fulfillment, and cold-chain transportation for e-commerce businesses, offering reliable and fast distribution. The company also operates Emaloja, its integrated e-commerce and e-logistics platform. An online seller of cosmetics (see our dedicated article) or health products can thus manage inventory, orders, and temperature-controlled deliveries all in one place.
STAR Logistique provides temperature-controlled logistics for the medical, biotechnology, cosmetics, and chemical industries. These sectors share requirements similar to those of the pharmaceutical industry: temperature precision, traceability, and the safety of sensitive products. The same qualified zones and the same WMS apply to these supply chains.
You can contact the team via the STAR Logistique website. Specify your temperature ranges, volumes, and GMP requirements to receive a tailored response.
Didn’t find the answer you were looking for? Contact us.
In summary: ensuring the security of your pharmaceutical logistics in Switzerland
The storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Switzerland rely on GCP compliance, temperature control, and continuous traceability.
STAR Logistique manages this end-to-end process, from receipt in Geneva through to nationwide delivery, with two temperature-controlled facilities (+15°C to +25°C and +2°C to +8°C), a WMS for audit trails, and secure ADR/RDG-certified transportation.
You have a single point of contact for warehousing, order fulfillment, transportation, and value-added services.
Secure Pharmaceutical Warehousing & Distribution in Switzerland