The pharmaceutical market is a trillion-dollar industry, and it is expected to exceed the 1,5 trillion value mark by 2023. Therefore, the demand for a well-structured pharmaceutical supply chain is imperative. Apart from being time and temperature-sensitive, transporting pharmaceuticals is essential for the well-being of many around the world. Therefore, companies that transport pharmaceuticals must be extra careful and diligent to ensure the safe arrival of these products.
Additionally, pharmaceutical products are, in many cases, costly. Carriers must implement special precautions to make sure they arrive at their destination in optimal conditions.
The pharmaceutical industry has many regulations carriers, and all the parties involved must know about and follow rigorously to deliver high-quality services and products in the expected conditions.
Essential elements to consider for the pharmaceutical supply chain
There are many aspects to take into consideration when shipping pharmaceuticals. As mentioned, they are delicate and expensive products that are transported to save lives potentially. Therefore, they require special care. Here are just some of the crucial aspects you must consider when transporting pharma products:
- Temperature control.
Temperature control is necessary when transporting pharmaceutical products. The integrity and quality of these products will depend on how they’re handled, and one of the critical components is temperature. Most pharma products are shipped between 55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit; this is a range that allows the product to maintain its integrity.
To comply with these temperatures, carriers must contact their cold chain logistics partners, who have access to refrigerated trucks. These trucks can maintain a constant temperature, even if the temperatures are higher outside, hence being ideal for handling pharmaceuticals.
If you’re worried about how the refrigerated truck works and if it maintains the proper temperature, don’t worry; these trailers are set to function independently from the tractor o truck that hauls them. They have their system, including engine, compressor, condenser, and evaporator, which allows them to maintain temperature without depending on their attached vehicle.
- Time
Pharmaceutical products are time sensitive. They require planning and coordination from all the parties involved. The carriers must accomplish their deadlines and delivery times so that these products lose the least amount of shelf life possible. For this reason, carriers must work fast and plan out the journeys so that everything runs smoothly.
- Rules and regulations
There are several rules and regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration which involve the warehousing, shipping, and distribution of pharma products. When working with these products, it’s essential to understand these regulations and have an operation that complies with the requirements to handle pharmaceuticals.
The most important to transport pharmaceuticals is maintaining the required temperature. If the temperature changes, even in just one of two degrees, the integrity of the products can be compromised.
Here are four elements you must consider to complying with the FDA regulations:
- Temperature
As mentioned above, the temperature is an essential element within the pharmaceutical supply chain. It’s critical for the trailers to maintain a 55 to 77 Fahrenheit rate throughout the entire journey. During the storage phase, companies must ensure temperature-controlled spaces as well.
- Security
Pharmaceuticals should be handled exclusively by authorized personnel. They should be under constant surveillance, under lock and key, and with good lighting.
- Hygiene
Maintaining excellent hygiene in spaces where pharmaceuticals are stored is critical. These spaces must have adequate space to store the products as well as being cleaned constantly. Products that are damaged, outdated, or deteriorated should be separated. It’s paramount that trailers do no present mold, meaning that it must be cleaned immediately if something gets spilled.
- Recordkeeping
Companies must ensure they keep records of everything during the entire shipping process. The receiver must thoroughly check the state in which the products are delivered, and if something looks wrong or there are signs of contamination, they should not receive the shipment and document everything. During the journey, drivers must also log in the temperature and keep constant records of it.
- Packaging
When transporting pharmaceuticals, it’s critical to package them thoroughly and properly. These products should be transported in insulated containers to maintain their integrity. It will allow them to be protected from temperature fluctuations and other environmental elements.
Although most pharma products require refrigeration, there are a few that don’t. Therefore, it’s essential to know what products you are transporting and what specific conditions each of them require.
Maintaining the correct temperature, meeting delivery times, complying with regulations, and having the proper packaging for pharma products are critical elements that will allow you to comply with the specifics within the pharmaceutical supply chain. With these elements in mind, you’ll be able to deliver high-quality services by delivering pharma products on time and maintaining their integrity.
