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Distribution: Belgium as a European hub

Distribution: Belgium as a European hub

Janssen in Belgium is not only active in developing medicines — we produce and distribute them as well. Our distribution department plays a key role in Johnson & Johnson's global supply chain, which covers all of the steps required to produce and distribute medicines, medical devices and consumer products. Thanks to the European distribution center in La Louvière, Janssen in Belgium is a hub for the distribution of medicines in Europe and worldwide.

After developing and producing medicines, Janssen distributes them via the distribution center (DC) in Beerse and the European distribution center (EDC) in La Louvière. The European distribution center for medical devices is located in Courcelles, just 12 miles (20 km) away from La Louvière. In terms of commercial value, the goods handled by these distribution centers make up more than 20% of Johnson & Johnson's total sales worldwide.

Beerse distribution center

At our Belgian distribution centers, medicines are prepared for storage and distribution. Our priority is to deliver the right medicines to the right place at the right time so that patients in Europe and their caregivers can rely on our products. The distribution center in Beerse is a center of excellence for storing complex medicines (at temperatures ranging from ambient to frozen), as well as handling the distribution of these products. The center is responsible for the distribution of medicines for global clinical studies, consumer products and Janssen's vaccines for diseases such as Ebola, HIV, RSV and COVID-19. We are therefore investing in expanding our storage areas to enable us to store and ship the COVID-19 vaccine deep frozen.

At the heart of the European distribution network

La Louvière is the hub of our European medicines distribution network. The medicines that are produced by Janssen in Europe are distributed worldwide from this location. The other European pharmaceutical distribution points are also supplied from here.

The distribution center in La Louvière also supplies more than 10,000 hospitals, wholesalers and pharmacies in several Western European countries around the clock and is able to process some 30,000 orders per month in total. When handling and shipping our medicines, we adhere to the highest standards of quality and service and strive to be the "best in class" in our sector.

Our European distribution centers ensure the efficient supply of our medicines, which respond to real patient needs. As our European distribution centers are so close to each other, we can take full advantage of synergies and share best practices and knowledge.

Kris Sterkens

Managing director Janssen Pharmaceutica

EM-52080