Maintaining the appropriate temperature for the storage and transport of medicines is a key challenge for a logistics operator serving clients in the pharmaceutical sector. Why are the requirements in this area so high? What risks are associated with failing to maintain the proper temperature during the transport of medicines?
The high requirements regarding the storage and transport of medicines are due to the fact that drugs contain potent active substances, and their content is strictly controlled to ensure a constant dose of the medication upon administration.
– Every substance begins to decompose from the moment it is produced, and the time in which this process occurs can be shortened when storage conditions are unfavorable. We must remember that a single tablet may contain, for example, 0.25 mg of an active substance, with the rest being only excipients. With such a small amount, even minor changes in content can have very dangerous consequences. It is for this reason that specific groups of medicines have been identified that must be stored within defined temperature ranges – explains Jakub Bojakowski, Manager of the Pharmaceutical Consignment Warehouse at DSV Solutions.
The most common groups of medicines are stored at temperatures of 15-25°C and 2-8°C. The role of the logistics operator in the storage and transport process becomes crucial, given that exceeding these ranges can pose a serious health risk.
– For medicines stored at 15-25°C, temperature excursions can lead to unpredictable effects. For example, an inappropriate temperature can cause the active substance to precipitate even from a “simple” cough syrup. In such a situation, we would be unable to estimate the correct dose of the medicine, as each spoonful would contain a completely different dose of the active substance. While the effects might be relatively mild for an adult, the situation becomes very dangerous for a child – explains Jakub Bojakowski. – The risks also increase with the “specialization” of a given drug. In the case of transporting medicines stored at 2-8°C, exceeding the temperature for even half an hour can lead to product damage, and consequently, a serious health risk. We can cite insulin, used by diabetics, as an example here – if the temperature is exceeded, it will not only fail to provide its therapeutic effect but could also lead to very dangerous complications or death. Beyond the impact on active substances, temperature can also affect the appearance of the medicine, for example, by melting lozenges, which in turn necessitates the disposal of all damaged goods.
Adherence by the logistics operator to strict procedures related to restrictive storage and transport conditions is a fundamental requirement when serving pharmaceutical companies. Awareness of the consequences of potential risks in this area is the key to professional service and fruitful cooperation between the operator and its clients.