Pharmaceuticals are delivered to medical companies, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals. When it comes to moving pharmaceuticals, time is of the essence. Temperature control is also important. A small change in temperature, even just 2 degrees, can ruin pharmaceutical products. This is why transporting temperature-controlled medications is so important.

Are there delivery standards at the legislative level?

When transporting medications, safety and confidentiality are a priority. There are legal provisions and regulations regarding the warehousing, shipping and distribution of pharmaceuticals. These rules are set by the Food and Drug Administration. Standards:

  1. Ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products and maintain the integrity of your cargo.
  2. Prevent unnecessary waste to ensure pharmaceutical products are available to patients when needed.
  3. Temperature maintenance. 

Products that are not kept at the correct temperature can become ineffective and even harmful to the patients who receive them. 

Rules for transporting medicines

Temperature-controlled transportation of medicines is part of logistics. Under no circumstances should the temperature regime be violated. Pharmaceutical products are subject to the delivery, storage and distribution of refrigerated and frozen goods. Organization of medicine delivery includes the following stages:

  1. Supply: Medicines, vaccines or pharmaceutical products are manufactured and packaged in a factory.
  2. Transporting Medicines: Pharmaceutical products are usually shipped in refrigerated or insulated trucks. These trucks undergo regular inspections to ensure they are in satisfactory condition and can maintain the correct temperature.
  3. Storage: Pharmaceutical products may be stored in a refrigerator or isotherm before distribution. A cold storage warehouse can serve as an intermediary before pharmaceutical products reach their final destination.
  4. Market: Generally, the last step in the logistics process is delivery to the final destination where the pharmaceuticals are sold or used.

Temperature maintenance is absolutely essential when delivering medications. 

Temperature compliance

Most pharmaceuticals are delivered at temperatures between -2 and +25 degrees to ensure product stability. Refrigerators can maintain this temperature even in very hot weather. 

Proper packaging

Another rule for transporting medicines is that the packaging must be correct. Pharmaceutical products should be delivered not only in climate-controlled cars, but also in thermal containers. Biological products such as hemoglobin, regenerative substances and tissues require special care during transportation. These products are often placed in thermal cryogenic containers that can withstand temperatures of -150 degrees Celsius. Thermal trays are used, this is another level of protection. 

Required Documentation

The following documentation is required:

  • permission to distribute (from the sender);
  • drug transportation contract;
  • certificates of origin;
  • route sheet (route);
  • invoice.

Certificates of origin are not required if simple pharmaceutical products (without special markings) are transported. If complex drugs are delivered (narcotics, immunostimulants, transportation of vaccines), then the driver must be accompanied by a representative of the pharmaceutical company and the body is sealed. 

Ensuring cargo safety

Security may be compromised by the following processes:

  1. Temperature drop. Temperature fluctuations of just 2 degrees can completely ruin a batch of pharmaceutical products.
  2. Theft. Cargo theft is a real threat, especially when delivering goods such as drugs containing narcotic substances.

Transporting medicines in the cold is the main task of logistics.

What type of transport is suitable for transporting medicines?

Refrigerated trailers play an important role. One interesting feature is that refrigerated trucks can operate regardless of what vehicle is towing them. Refrigeration trailers are equipped with their own refrigeration unit and energy source. This means that refrigerated trucks and isotherms will maintain their temperature whether they are being towed by a tractor, on a train, on a boat or in an airplane. Refrigerated trailers work just like other refrigerators and have three main components that help them stay cool: a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. Features:

  1. The compressor is supported by a small motor located inside the refrigerated trailer. 
  2. The compressor takes the refrigerant in gas form and compresses it into a liquid. 
  3. The pressure heats the refrigerant.
  4. Hot liquid refrigerant flows from the compressor to the condenser. 
  5. The condenser facilitates heat exchange. Here the heated refrigerant is cooled through a pipeline to wide fins. 
  6. The large area allows the hot refrigerant to cool quickly. 

The compressor and condenser work together, much like a car’s radiator works together to cool an engine. Temperature-controlled delivery is not a new concept. The concept dates back to the 1840s, when ice and cold weather were used to transport cold foods by rail. The first refrigerated truck was invented in 1910 and was used for the first transportation of drugs for medical use.

Features of transportation of medicines