Panama continues to make progress in its efforts to establish a pharmaceutical and medical device hub in the country, with one strategic priority being the consolidation of its position as a logistics center supported by appropriate infrastructure. In this context, and to better support its customers, FedEx announced that its ramp operations at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) have received the prestigious CEIV Pharma Certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), reinforcing its commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics.
The CEIV Pharma Certification (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics), established by IATA in 2014, recognizes quality standards and regulatory requirements for the safe and compliant air handling and transport of high-value, time-sensitive and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products. Through extensive training and operational assessments, this certification ensures that facilities, equipment, processes and personnel meet the rigorous standards and expectations of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
“Achieving this certification demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of quality and control to maintain the integrity of healthcare products in transit,” said Basil Khalil, vice president for the Caribbean and Central America at FedEx. “We are ready to support the local pharmaceutical and medical device industries in the country.”
Medicines are among Panama’s primary exports. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), from January to September 2025, the value of exported medicines reached nearly $34 million, with more than $5 million transported by air. During the same period, imports exceeded $500 million, including $114 million arriving by air. In 2025, pharmaceutical exports transported by air are reaching their highest level in the past 10 years.
Currently, the FedEx ramp operations in Panama, located at Tocumen International Airport, feature two temperature-controlled cold rooms — one maintained between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius and the other between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. The local operation also has a direct connection to the FedEx hub in Memphis, Tennessee, operating five times per week with a Boeing 767 aircraft.
In terms of near real-time monitoring, Panama is one of the first markets in Latin America and the Caribbean where FedEx introduced two innovative solutions: FedEx Surround®, which provides near real-time data on shipment locations, and SenseAware, a suite of sensor-based devices that monitor conditions such as location and product temperature as shipments move through the FedEx network. This predictive capability allows FedEx and its customers to make informed decisions quickly, helping ensure the integrity and timely delivery of highly sensitive shipments, including pharmaceuticals.
In addition to its operations in Panama (PTY), 21 other FedEx facilities worldwide received CEIV Pharma Certification during 2024 and 2025, including operations in San José, Costa Rica (SJO); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ); and both ramp operations in Puerto Rico (SJU and BQN).