Cold Chain Management For Sensitive Goods

Packaging, route planning and risk analysis ensure safe conditions during transportation of delicate drugs. Drugs are sensitive goods to transport, which can be subject to irreversible damage if they are stored or transported at temperatures outside the tolerated range. If the temperature falls below or rises above the specified range the quality of drugs requiring refrigeration can be seriously affected and they may cease to be effective. This article therefore describes how transport conditions during the transportation of drugs can be optimised through suitable packaging, individualised process design, the analysis and assessment of potential risks and close collaboration between the sender and the freight carrier.

- 

Nowadays drugs are transported over long distances both over land and by air. In addition to choosing the right packaging and correct cooling system, the transport process must ensure that the drugs reach the patient without having suffered any loss of quality as a result of the negative effects of inappropriate temperatures.

During transportation drugs are subject to the same provisions with regard to maintaining a specified temperature range as applicable during storage. Drugs requiring refrigeration – medication which must be stored at temperatures between 2 °C and 8 °C - can either be transported using a controlled active cooling system or an uncontrolled passive cooling system. By active cooling system we mean the use of refrigeration units in appropriately equipped vehicles or active air freight cargo containers. Passive cooling systems involve the use of insulated cool boxes in which cool packs are packed along with the goods to be transported in order to cool them.

Requirements in respect of the transportation of drugs