1

Going Viral: WDSrx Tackles COVID-19 Logistics Challenges Within Healthcare Supply Chain

WDSrx employees wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to perform daily tasks in all locations.

Watch our video about the COVID-19 response. Pharmaceutical logistics companies plan for and test scenarios to maintain business continuity during emergency situations. WDSrx, a pharmaceutical 3PL based in Boca Raton, FL, modified their disaster recovery plans for the COVID-19 pandemic to assure medications continue to be moved efficiently within the healthcare supply chain. “Our experience with continuing operations in Florida and Texas during hurricanes including Harvey and Irma in 2017 provide ‘on-the-job’ intelligence that informed our decision-making around COVID-19,” states WDSrx VP Rob Gerstein. This targeted expertise is a valuable benefit for WDSrx clients. According to a report by the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), from 2016 to 2018, the average number of billion-dollar disasters totaled 15 each year, while the average for 1980–2018 was just 6.2 events per year. Unlike natural disasters, COVID-19 was not forecast in advance. Changes to procedures were addressed on a case-by-case-basis across all WDSrx facilities. Decisions about Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, Human Resources, Operations and Information Technology were made given the most up-to-date information available to assure employee health, maintain jobs and continue operations.

1

1

2

Quality Assurance / Regulatory Compliance

Logistics Manager Oliver Razz (right) follows SOP requirements for product receipt in the quarantine area of the WDSrx Boca Raton location.

WDSrx facilities adhere to cGMP and cGDP practices for handling and distribution of pharmaceutical drug products in the Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 210-211 administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These guidelines specify rigorous hygiene practices for building maintenance and also for employees. In February, 2020, full-time on-site cleaning, sanitation and maintenance teams at all WDSrx facilities began heightened hygiene protocols. In addition to regular cleaning conducted throughout each day, heavily contacted surfaces were sanitized frequently. Written instructions about personal hygiene were posted in high-traffic areas, cleaning products including hand sanitizer and disinfecting spray were made available at several locations in each building and masks, gloves and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were issued. New protocols were adopted in the warehouse for receipt of products from international destinations heavily affected by coronavirus. Registered by the DEA as an Importer and Exporter of Controlled Substances (Schedules CII-CV), WDSrx has deep expertise assuring smooth flow of goods into and out of warehouse facilities. Imported products are segregated upon arrival at the dock, then checked and sanitized before being held in a quarantine area prior to receipt.

2

3

Human Resources

Health and wellness flyers appear in all WDSrx locations to help employees remain safe by following specific health guidelines.

The WDSrx Human Resources Department added COVID-19 discussion to daily executive team meetings starting mid-February. Topics were focused on employee health and wellness. Select employees were instructed to work from home, policies were modified for Paid Time Off to accommodate specific needs, managers were empowered to monitor health of their teams to reduce virus spread and new policies were initiated for employees to self-quarantine at home that had contact with patients who tested positive for COVID-19. According to WDSrx Human Resources Manager Melissa Gallagher, “Current policies are being reexamined and new policies written to instill employee confidence, protect our workforce and respond to unique HR challenges due to coronavirus while we continue to staff our facilities for maximum efficiency.” Coordinating with the marketing department, HR increased their regular communication with employees to distribute news and information, virtual meetings replaced in-person meetings even within the same building, employees working remotely were instructed to check in directly with managers during the day for casual conversation to reduce isolation and maintain a positive group dynamic.

3

4

Information Technology

While in the same facility, WDSrx employees comply with new procedures during meetings to maintain social distancing.

From the perspective of WDSrx Director of Information Technology Carl Ambroise, data security is a constant priority to comply with government authorities overseeing pharmaceutical logistics and supply chain companies. Changing policies encouraging remote work required adjustments to normal practices. “Our security network expanded to include hardware and software for employees working continuously from remote locations,” states Ambroise. The IT team accommodated new work policies within each facility as well to improve business continuity. For example, a policy recommending video conferencing for internal meetings to maintain social distancing resulted in increased allocation of webcams and microphones.

4

5

Operations

Following safety and security regulations, certain areas in all warehouses were limited to WDSrx employees as outside visitors were prohibited from all locations.

Traditionally, WDSrx welcomes visitors for client and new business meetings, facility maintenance, audits by regulatory authorities, vendor communication, community outreach and other purposes. With visitors prohibited from all facilities except for essential reasons, alternative arrangements are in effect to safeguard employee health. Receiving and shipping into and out of WDSrx facilities occurs regularly throughout each day and into the evenings. Prior to the pandemic, drivers delivering products or awaiting orders for empty trucks entered approved employee areas to rest, enjoy a cup of coffee or use the bathrooms. When policies were implemented forbidding outside visitors, water stations were set up in a protected area to serve transportation providers. Although social distancing policies may seem impersonal, they are meant to safeguard individuals from potential exposure to illness and assure business continuity. WDSrx Director of Operations Eric Nestler is responsible for streamlining operations under normal and emergency circumstances. “We advanced several projects that were already approved and initiated new procedures to minimize virus spread and continue operating efficiently,” explains Nestler. For example, a stand-alone generator that was scheduled for placement at the WDSrx facility in Pompano Beach, Florida was delivered and installed with an expedited timeline. The new unit has the ability to power the entire facility for up to ten days if required.

5

6

Conclusion

Production Manager Edwin Suarez (left) reviews Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) with the production team to assure compliance with guidelines.

Logistics services providers including WDSrx with previous experience operating in disaster and emergency situations are better prepared than competitors to fulfill client orders in the midst of business continuity challenges posed by COVID-19 related business disruptions. WDSrx put in place proactive and protective measures designed to prevent any spread of COVID-19 in our workplace. To further control the spread of the virus, WDSrx is fulfilling orders of COVID-19 antibody tests on behalf of clients. Results from these tests reveal whether a person’s immune system has developed antibodies needed to fight off COVID-19. Tests of this type may indicate a person’s fitness to return to work.

6

7

WDSrx President Adam Runsdorf (right), Logistics Manager Oliver Razz (left) and Gabriela Sanchez oversee receipt of COVID-19 antibody test kits.

Established procedures proven effective in the past may not serve current requirements. New policies must be implemented that were not previously within the realm of possibility. Logistics firms in which leadership stresses consistent innovation and continuous improvement embrace a work culture conducive to the flexibility and decisiveness required to maintain optimal operations during times of uncertainty. For further information contact Larry Hotz (561) 998-3885 x304 and lhotz@wdsrx.com

7

As our loved ones and our communities face unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus COVID-19, it is important to discuss our business response from WDSrx.

I assure our clients and the patients they serve that operations continue without interruption at our facilities in Ohio, Texas, New Jersey and Florida.

State and local governments around the country are limiting commerce and personal interaction to reduce the spread of the virus, with the exception of essential industries including WDSrx.

Freight forwarders and transportation companies are prioritizing healthcare-related products Freight forwarders and transportation companies are prioritizing healthcare-related products received, stored and fulfilled by WDSrx.

These policies support our nation’s healthcare providers and suppliers.

Within our warehouses, full-time cleaning teams sanitize throughout the day in compliance with requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, VAWD and other State and Local regulatory authorities.

WWe are able to continue operations only with the cooperation of our employees. I thank them for their support and sacrifice.

The WDSrx team is dedicated to fulfilling our important role within the pharmaceutical supply chain. Our focus is enabling life-saving therapies to reach their destinations safely and efficiently.

Non-essential employees work from home, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is distributed and our Human Resources department is modifying policies to accommodate these unique circumstances. We also have immediate access to experienced temporary labor when required.

WDSrx has additional safeguards documented in our Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) and Business WDSrx has additional safeguards documented in our Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) and Business Continuity Plan (BCP) enabling the business to function during disaster situations. These plans are tested regularly and will be implemented if necessary.

Further information about our coronavirus updates is located on our website homepage at www.wdsrx.com. It includes a contact form to receive a personal response.

Thank you.

Adam RunsdorfPresident

March 24, 2020

STATEMENT REGARDING CORONAVIRUS AND WDSRX

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread surpassing 108,000 infected patients

around the world as of March 9, WDSrx is taking steps to assure continued order fulfillment of

medications within the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The health of our employees is of primary importance. At this time, operations at our facilities in

Ohio, Texas, Florida and New Jersey are unaffected. In order to maintain the well-being of our

team, we continue to enforce existing rigorous cleaning routines documented in WDSrx

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) including “Hygiene Practices and Contamination

Prevention” and “Housekeeping and General Sanitation.”

In addition, notices are posted at each facility listing basic protective measures to prevent

disease transmission including frequent hand washing, maintaining six feet of distance from any

individual who coughs or sneezes, avoiding touching the face, staying home with fever, cough,

flu symptoms or difficulty breathing with instructions to seek medical attention when indicated.

According to the World Health Organization, it is safe to receive packages that originated or

transit through affected locations. WDSrx receives and fulfills orders for clients domestically and

internationally and is in regular communication with our carriers to monitor their operations for

potential service modifications. Visitation to all WDSrx facilities is limited to pre-arranged

meetings and access control programs monitor employees and visitors at all times.

WDSrx enjoys strong working relationships with Local, State and Federal authorities for

coordination of strategies to limit exposure to COVID-19. We continue to work with clients

and vendors to contain, control, delay and reduce the impact of this virus at every

opportunity.

Please contact me directly with questions or comments about the WDSrx response and

our commitment to continue to fulfill orders during these rapidly-changing

circumstances.

Adam Runsdorf

President