The National Accreditation Body for Cold Chain Management (NAB-CCM) has officially launched the platform where Industry, Academia, Government and Social Bodies come together to help policy makers together to revolutionise cold chain compliance in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. This initiative is set to bring ethical practices, structured education, and professional training to individuals/companies in cold chain management.
Comprehensive cold chain certification programmes
NAB-CCM has designed a structured learning pathway for various levels of expertise. The courses launched include: Vocational Course, Foundation Course, Certification Course, Master Class and Executive Program in Cold Chain Management targeted at individuals who have completed their 10+2 education and above. This programme is also for Industry Professionals.
Expert insights on NAB-CCM
Avinash Verma, Founder of NAB-CCM and a leading expert in pharmaceutical and life science cold chain management, emphasised the importance of structured education in the field stating, "We are committed to bridging the knowledge gap in the cold chain industry by providing specialised training, certifications and accreditation. Our initiative is not just about offering courses but about creating a robust framework to handhold policymakers for compliance, ensuring ethical practices, and standardising the industry as per Good Distribution guidelines."
Sarvesh Chaubey, Co-Founder of NAB-CCM, highlighted the role of stakeholders in making this initiative successful and said, "This programme is only possible with the support of stakeholders across Manufacturing, Storage, Distribution, Retail, Logistics, Warehousing, Packaging and Monitoring. We aim to create an ecosystem for cold chain Management under Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Guidelines."
Nigel Dsouza, Moderator from Aramex Logistics, led the discussion on the need for structured industry collaboration. "It is crucial for various stakeholders—logistics, packaging, and regulatory bodies—to align their efforts for seamless cold chain operations. NAB-CCM, as an initiative, is a step towards that alignment”, stated Dsouza.
Industry perspective
While NAB-CCM is making significant strides in cold chain compliance education, industry experts have expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) policy.
Ravi Kumar Tummalapalli, Managing Director of Envirotainer, a leading cold chain logistics company, pointed out, "The absence of clear timelines for enforcing industry policies is a major concern. The industry needs accelerated decision-making and regulatory implementation to ensure drug efficacy and safety."
Pankaj Mehta, Managing Director, Carrier Transicold, India and South Asia, emphasised the importance of advanced refrigeration technology stating, "Temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals require state-of-the-art refrigeration solutions. NAB-CCM, as an initiative, will help create awareness about the latest advancements and their implementation in the supply chain."
Ryan Viegas, an Independent Consultant and Pharma Expert, stressed the importance of compliance and stated, "Without rigorous cold chain compliance, drug efficacy is at risk. NAB-CCM’s training programmes can play a critical role in ensuring that professionals understand and implement best practices."
Dignitaries at the event included the Chief Guest of the event Prof Anirudha B Pandit, Vice Chancellor (President), Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, Guest of Honour of the event Prof Ravindra D Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor (VC), University of Mumbai (MU) and Salil Javeri, Brand Ambassador of Ambarnath Municipal Council, Swacha Survekshan.
Ashish Chauhan, Founder of Bluetech Media, set the stage for the event with a welcome note, highlighting the significance of the discussions and the imperative for industry-wide collaboration in fostering safety and sustainability.
Innovative learning and community engagement
NAB-CCM has ensured that learning remains accessible by offering digital programmes that allow students to log in and complete their courses at their own pace.
Recognising the need for specialised knowledge dissemination, NAB-CCM is also considering developing customised programmes for media professionals, as suggested by stakeholders.
Bhagwati Prasad
