I have been asked, and have agreed to chair a pharmaceutical cold-chain symposium to kick-off the Supply Chain Integrity Summit hosted by TRAX, the Institute of International Research.  

The conference will be held August 7-9, 2006 at the Ritz Carlton, Tyson's Corner, McLean, VA. The cold-chain symposium will be a one day event, August 7th, and focus on new guidelines, trends and practical approaches for implementing the latest best practices for good cold-chain distribution. The 8th and 9th will focus on supply chain security, product protection, patient safety, risk mitigation and supply chain efficiency. The featured guest speaker for the main conference is Frank Abagnale, an authority on counterfeiting and fraud and whose life story was the basis of the motion picture "Catch Me If You Can".

Fame aside, but certainly of no less importance, my gregarious friend and colleague, Dr. Rafik Bishara, whose own life story could be made into the motion picture "Catch Me if You Want", will accommodate my request and deliver the keynote on the changing global distribution model for cold chain pharmaceuticals. Additionally, my former Abbott colleague, Dave Ulrich, QA Distribution Manager, will speak on the importance of product stability studies in the temperature distribution process; Gwyn Murdoch, Eli Lilly & Company, will present a risk management approach to shipping and distribution of temperature sensitive products; and Jeff Wodrich, Operations Manager, ISC Labs, will delve into the key decision points in thermal package design and development and discuss how they impact the bottom line.

The day will conclude with a panel discussion on the growing global challenges of cold-chain pharmaceutical distribution. This is a good event to attend if you are short on time, haven't had a chance to attend any other cold-chain conference this year and need to glean the latest in regulatory guidance and best practices. 

You can obtain more information and register on-line here.