In an era where medical advancements are revolutionising healthcare, ensuring the potency and efficacy of pharma-ceuticals is essential.
However, amidst the complex logistics of transporting pharmaceuticals, one critical factor often overlooked is temperature control. As temperatures fluctuate, so does the efficacy and safety of medicinal products. One study found that the pharmaceutical industry loses $35 billion each year to inefficient temperature-controlled logistics. The losses associated with pharmaceutical waste are not only financial. These can delay the delivery of essential drugs and result in environmental damage from the disposal of drugs. So, how can effective cold storage management prevent further losses and reduce the harm caused by ineffective medicines?
Impact of Temperature Fluctuations
Many medications, particularly antibiotics and vaccines, are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Some products may also be impacted by exposure to adverse humidity levels.
When exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range, these medications can become compromised or lose their potency.
Temperature fluctuations not only compromise the efficacy of the medications but also pose significant health risks when people do not get access to vaccines. This was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. The vaccines that were developed to protect against the Covid-19 virus had strict temperature requirements, raising concerns about whether they could be adequately stored, especially in developing countries.
Other medications such as monoclonal antibodies, often used for the treatment of cancer, are stored4 at temperatures between −20°C to −80°C. When kept in warm temperatures outside the manufacturer’s recommendations, their efficacy dramatically decreases.
There are multiple stages at which these temperature fluctuations can occur – from the transport of raw materials to the shipping of the finished products internationally. Of course, there are also many instances in which temperature fluctuations cannot be controlled, like when someone has to transport a medication from the pharmacy to their home. One report estimates that around half of the vaccines6 distributed around the world go to waste because of poor temperature management. Another report by the United Nations Environment Programme has assessed that at this spoilage rate, a billion vaccines could be wasted. And it highlighted that even if valued at a non-profit cost of around $10 a vaccine, would still represent a massive loss.
