Foundation

The CMA CGM Foundation’s PharmaBox showcased at the Europe-Africa Forum in Marseille

Reading time: 5 min

May 6, 2025

  • The PharmaBox is a humanitarian innovation designed to meet the needs for storing and securing medicines and treatments for malnutrition in crisis zones.
  • This energy self-sufficient, converted 40-foot container is adaptable to maritime, rail, and road transport.
  • At the Forum, the logistics director of Action Against Hunger presented a preliminary report on the first PharmaBox, deployed in the Central African Republic since February 2025.
  • The CMA CGM Foundation has announced the production and deployment of nine additional PharmaBox across Africa.

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the CMA CGM Foundation's PharmaBox was exhibited at the Europe-Africa Forum, held at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille.

Resulting from the historic partnership between the CMA CGM Foundation and Action Against Hunger, this medical storage solution reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the supply chain for medicines and improving access to healthcare for the most vulnerable populations in countries affected by humanitarian crises.

PharmaBox: a humanitarian innovation designed, produced, and delivered by the CMA CGM Foundation

Developed by the CMA CGM Foundation in collaboration with Action Against Hunger, the PharmaBox is a converted 40-foot container, designed as a mobile, energy self-sufficient pharmacy. It ensures the safe storage of medicines in humanitarian crisis zones, under optimal conditions:

  • Controlled temperature (20-25°C) and humidity (<65%) for proper conservation of medicines.
  • Storage capacity of 22m³, equivalent to 3 tonnes of medicine, enabling the treatment of 50,000 children and pregnant women annually per PharmaBox.
  • Energy autonomy, powered by a 10-panel photovoltaic solar kit, independent of electrical grids or fossil fuels.
  • Mobile and easy to deploy, allowing for quick transport and relocation based on humanitarian needs.

First PharmaBox deployed in the Central African Republic

The first PharmaBox has been operational in Bangui, Central African Republic, since February 2025. Shipped from Marseille, it embarked on a multimodal journey, combining maritime transport to the port of Kribi in Cameroon, followed by road transportation to its final destination.

This first deployment has successfully demonstrated that the PharmaBox can be rapidly and safely deployed, which is essential for ensuring access to healthcare in emergency situations.

Scaling up: nine more units for Africa

At the Nutrition for Growth Summit in March 2025, CMA CGM Foundation President Tanya Saadé Zeeny announced the deployment of nine additional PharmaBox in partnership with Action Against Hunger.

These units will significantly enhance access to medicines and healthcare in numerous humanitarian crisis zones across Africa. They will be installed in Chad, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Mozambique, with deployment to be adjusted as humanitarian needs evolve.

Subscribe to our news