Pharmaceutical supplies and vaccines are in high demand with the upsurge in medical requirements all around the globe. While the pharmaceuticals industry needs to keep up with the manufacturing of much-needed drugs and vaccines, it is even more important to pay attention to the cold chain monitoring of these pharmaceutical and medical supplies.
When it comes to maintaining a robust production and consumption cycle, storage and transportation cannot be underestimated. An effective logistic strategy for cold chain monitoring is crucial to prevent losses due to the absence of storage regulations. This is where the importance of cold chain monitoring for the pharmaceutical industry gets highlighted.
What is a cold chain?
A cold chain is a supply chain during which a product’s surrounding temperature is controlled to maintain quality. Cold chains are established by offering adequate refrigeration and temperature control equipment throughout a product’s manufacturing, storage, and shipping.
What is cold chain monitoring?
As the name suggests, cold chain monitoring regulates the functioning of a cold chain, i.e., the arrangements, supplies, and equipment involved. Cold chain monitoring looks after maintaining the optimal temperature to keep up the potency of vaccines and prevent drugs and other medical supplies from damage. To maintain a consistent temperature, it is essential to use advanced operational equipment and logistics.
Data logging is another crucial factor that contributes to the successful monitoring of a cold chain. Contrary to the conventional methods of maintaining data logs, companies now use digital data loggers that automatically observe and record the required parameters and store the data. This data can be accessed to cross-check the history of the cold chain setup and serve as a reference for future ventures.
Improved cold chain monitoring and logistics
From manufacturing to storage, all parties involved in the cold chain are aware of its importance. They are adapting to advanced technology to ensure better monitoring of the cold chain and improved logistics. Workers managing the cold chain are being trained to use new technology to assess temperature measurements of the controlled environment. Advanced cold chain monitoring devices such as data loggers simplify the process of maintaining a sustainable environment for medical supplies.
However, there is always scope for improvement. Given below are some suggestions that can assist in better cold chain monitoring:
Temperature data comprehension
We are aware of the importance temperature plays in a cold chain setup. It is essential to stay mindful of the temperatures to ensure that the product is in its perfect state and has not suffered any damage when delivered to the consumer. Data loggers help in assessing real-time temperature excursions and provide opportunities to take action when required.
Data loggers for other real-time data
There is no doubt that temperature is an essential factor while storing and shipping pharmaceutical goods. Many more parameters also need attention to form a safe environment for the products. Cold chain products are sensitive to vibration and are prone to face damage if transport vehicles do not have arrangements for the same. It is necessary to protect them against shocks, humidity, tilt, and ambient light for goods like compounds and delicate vaccine vials. Some of these parameters can be measured with specially designed data loggers, while others need additional shipping containers.
Check the package level of shipping goods.
Bulk packaging might leave loopholes for product damage. In the case of smaller cold chain products, like glass vials or pill strips, it is better to pack them individually instead of dumping them in aggregated containers. The lower thermal mass might expose the goods to temperature damage and excursion risks when the supplies are stacked together.
Analyze your devices
Imagine a scenario where you have spent a good amount of money getting monitoring devices for your cold chain, but your product still gets damaged! Courtesy of faulty sensors. This has been true in numerous cases where faulty sensors resulted in inaccurate data, poor decision-making, and misleading reports. These can be prevented if you keep up with the analytical infrastructure of your cold chain monitoring system. To ensure your devices function accurately, opt for a provider who allows assistance and a warranty for faulty sensors.
Reuse for better ROI
There is scope for getting a better return on your investment in setup logistics when it comes to cold chain monitoring. Install data loggers with quality sensors that can be reused. When you reuse your monitoring devices, you efficiently maximize your ROI because you do not need to spend multiple times for every shipment. Look for devices that come with long-lasting batteries, offer reliable connectivity and real-time reporting.
Eliminate spoilage and protect supplies
Any loose end across the cold chain monitoring system can invite massive harm to the pharmaceutical supplies being transported. In some cases, this harm might not seem much on a per shipment basis, but upon compounding the overall damage, the figure might appear to be alarming.
From eliminating spoilage to protecting supplies of vaccines, medicines, and other goods related to the pharmaceutical industry, it is essential to analyze all possibilities for damage. When you have a list of potential damages, you must ensure an added layer of security against them. Most of the time, it will be the minute details that will save your cold chain monitoring system from breaking down.
It is impossible to negate the importance of cold chain monitoring for pharmaceutical products. The slightest inconvenience in the supply of these goods can cause massive damage to the medical healthcare industry and the well-being of patients. Therefore, maintaining your cold chain monitoring system is crucial and requires a good amount of attention to the logistics and devices involved in the system.
Use reliable products, plan your approach and go through every detail to ensure a thorough strategy before starting the cold chain. These steps will minimize product damage in the case of medical drugs and vaccines and reduce your chances of suffering losses.