The pharmaceutical sector is one of the most competitive markets in the shipping industry. It calls for a high emphasis on shipping and logistics management quality. One of the most critical factors that control transport conditions is temperature, which is vital for pharmaceuticals.
Temperature control refers to the ability of a packaged good or perishable item to maintain an appropriate environmental condition – ideally at a constant temperature. Still, historically it’s often just between 2 defined temperatures.
The benefits of temperature control in the cold chain shipping industry are vast. This article will focus on why it’s essential and who benefits from it.
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Importance of Temperature Control
Consumer safety is paramount in the pharmaceutical markets – and ultimately applies to all consumers. Temperature control has a significant role to play in the protection of products. Below are some examples of how temperature control can play a role in ensuring consumer safety:
1. Temperature Control and Medicine
Pharmaceuticals sensitive to heat or cold should get delivered at the appropriate temperatures to ensure they remain effective. Exposure of medicines to conditions outside these limits becomes less effective. It can lead to adverse reactions when one takes medication.
Through temperature control, you can maintain the efficacy of pharmaceuticals, minimizing side effects.
2. Temperature Control and Blood
Blood helps in emergencies during surgery or for transfusions following accidents – blood must arrive at its destination in good condition. If not, there can be adverse effects on patients receiving the transfusion.
Temperature control is an important factor in the safety of blood units. However, the fluctuations can harm the conditions of the red cell units, compromising their ability to be helpful in life-saving situations.
3. Temperature Control and Frozen Foods
It’s easy for frozen food products to freeze during transit if mishandled. It can have a negative effect on the food products when they get defrosted; it can lead to spoilage or contamination.
Good transport conditions are necessary for the sake of frozen food products. Therefore, the temperature should remain low throughout transit so that it does not melt. Maintaining this temperature maintains the product’s safety and quality.
4. Temperature Control and Semen
You can store the semen at certain temperatures to maintain its viability. The shelf life of the semen reduces when exposed to extreme temperatures.
Temperature control slows down this process and helps retain sperm quality. That is important for artificial insemination programs such as those conducted on dairy cattle.
Who Benefits from Temperature Control in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain?
The pharmaceutical supply chain benefits in many ways from temperature control. It provides an essential service for product safety. A few companies that benefit include:
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Pharmaceutical suppliers are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe for use by patients. Temperature control maintains the integrity of pharmaceutical products, ensuring they do not get exposed to fluctuations that could lead to problems.
Pharmaceutical Freight Carriers
Freight carriers transport raw materials, pharmaceuticals, and other cargo in vans, trains, and trucks – transporting goods from one place to another. Monitoring product quality throughout the cargo’s journey is vital to ensure that carriers do not receive complaints or damage claims.
Pharmaceutical Logistics Providers
Temperature control monitors the environment in which pharmaceuticals get transported. It generates reports throughout shipment transport, allowing for efficient product data management and delivery processes. As a result, it increases productivity while ensuring product quality, safety, and compliance along the pharmaceutical supply chain.
What are Some of the Common Challenges?
As beneficial as temperature control is for the pharmaceutical industry, it has its set of challenges. The most common of these include:
Controlling Temperature Exposures in Global Supply Chains
Pharmaceutical products go through various countries in a global supply chain, exposing them to multiple temperatures throughout their journey. That is because the cargo has to move from one region to another within specific time frames – any delays in transit can cause products to freeze or go beyond safe storage conditions.
Monitoring Temperature Exposure Throughout Product Transit
Temperature control provides product development and supply chain management teams with the ability to monitor the integrity of pharmaceutical products throughout their journey. It is vital because each batch can have varying exposures, depending on how it travels from the point of origin to its final destination. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult for companies to manage quality control programs efficiently.
Temperature Control Remains Vital
As pharmaceutical manufacturers, carriers, and logistics providers continue to grow their businesses, the demand for temperature control equipment will increase. It is why it’s essential to understand the specific product requirements of this industry. It can help companies improve their productivity while maintaining quality standards throughout transport and storage.
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