UPS and FedEx Adapt Logistics to Demand for Weight-Loss Injections
Logistics giants UPS and FedEx are investing millions in refrigerated facility upgrades to accommodate the transport of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.
Shipping and logistics giants, led by UPS and FedEx, are adapting to the era of weight-loss injections — Wegovy and Ozempic by Novo Nordisk and Mounjaro and Zepbound by Eli Lilly — whose transport requires strict refrigeration.
Healthcare logistics took center stage during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the rapid transport of vaccines under refrigerated conditions became a critical component in controlling the spread of the virus. In recent years, as larger sums have been invested in pharmaceutical innovation, the transport of these products has come under greater scrutiny.
Now, leading logistics companies are investing millions of dollars in upgrading refrigerated facilities to adapt to new market demands:
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Last month, UPS announced an investment of $48 million in such facilities.
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FedEx launched a scientific organization this month aimed at assisting in developments related to the transport of pharmaceutical and health products requiring refrigeration.
According to Growth Market data, demand for heat-sensitive biological products is expected to climb at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% by 2033 and reach a value of $39.1 billion. Meanwhile, obesity and diabetes medications are gaining increasing popularity: according to a Gallup survey conducted this month, 11% of Americans are using weight-loss injections compared to only 3% in 2024.
