Summary

In this episode of Measuring Up: Thinking Out Loud, host Bill White sits down with Amy Shortman, founder of ASC Associates, to explore the evolving landscape of Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and what it truly takes to protect pharmaceutical products across the supply chain.

The conversation traces how the industry has evolved since the late 1990s, when temperature control was inconsistent, and compliance was often an afterthought. Amy examines where gaps still exist between written standards and real-world practice, and explains why accurate temperature monitoring and calibration are the foundation of a defensible supply chain.

Listeners will come away understanding that meeting GDP standards globally is more achievable than ever, thanks to advances in monitoring technology from companies like Testo and consultants like Amy, who don’t just advise from the outside but bring with them hands-on industry experience.

About the Guest

Amy Shortman is a Global Product Marketing professional with nearly 30 years of experience in logistics and supply chain. She specializes in SaaS B2B, temperature-controlled solutions, and supply chain security.

In 2011, Amy founded ASC Associates to create compliant solutions for the distribution of temperature-sensitive and high-value products in the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics industry. She co-developed an independent one-day GDP-certified course for logistics personnel who handle or are involved in distributing medicinal products for human use, and works with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as an External Instructor for the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV).

Before establishing ASC, Amy was with a top 3 global third-party logistics provider (3PL) in healthcare and life sciences, specializing in business development and key account management for global clients.

Based in Cambridge, England, Amy works with clients and industry bodies worldwide. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Fellow Chartered Marketer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Summary

In this episode of Measuring Up, Thinking Out Loud, host Bill White sits down with Karen Greene, Vice President of Client Solutions at Network Partners Group and Principal Consultant at Canyon Labs, to discuss the critical intersection of packaging engineering and temperature control. With over 40 years of experience in the life sciences industry, Karen explores the complexities of cold chain applications and the necessity of protecting temperature-sensitive products as they move from point A to point B.

The conversation delves into the vital work of the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), where Karen serves on the Board of Directors. She explains how ISTA sets the standards for distribution packaging and how its Pharmaceutical Committee provides the industry with the thought leadership and test profiles needed to safely ship sensitive medical devices and biotech products.

About the Guest

Karen Greene is Partner and VP, Client Solutions – Packaging Engineering at Network Partners Group and Principal Consultant at Canyon Labs. She is a seasoned life sciences packaging engineering professional with more than 40 years of industry experience. Karen is an IoPP Certified Packaging Professional (lifetime CPP), a global board member of ISTA, the International Transit Association, and a board member of the ISTA Pharma committee. Additionally, she is a member of ASTM F02 Flexible Barrier Packaging Committee and an ISTA 7E-certified auditor.

Karen’s expertise spans packaging testing, compliance, quality systems, design, and validation across medical device and pharmaceutical product portfolios. In her dual roles at Network Partners Group and Canyon Labs, she leverages this deep technical and regulatory background to help clients bring safe, effective, and compliant products to patients.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA, and a certificate in engineering management from the University of California, San Diego.

Resources

Guest Contact:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-greene-a391055/

Measurement Solutions:

Testo Environmental Monitoring Systems

Summary

In this episode of Measuring Up: Thinking Out Loud, host Bill White sits down again with Jim Bacon, founder of Stay Cool Logistics, to break down the complexities of risk management in pharmaceutical logistics.

Jim comes back to his "Four Quadrants of Risk" (financial, hazard, strategic, and operational) concept to explain how understanding these categories allows organizations to better protect product integrity and patient safety. The conversation explores the critical shift from a silo mentality to a total cost calculation, where procurement, quality, and finance work together to decrease risk tolerance.

Jim also shares a real-world example of how a robust cold chain process can lead to innovative self-insurance strategies, such as stock-throughput coverage. Finally, the duo discusses the evolving role of technology, emphasizing that human instinct remains the bedrock of successful risk mitigation.

About the Guest

Jim Bacon is a cold chain logistics expert with decades of experience across manufacturing, operations, sales, and technical consulting in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. His work has focused on advancing best practices, implementing robust monitoring systems, and improving industry-wide cold chain acumen.