Temperature-Controlled Logistics

Temperature controlled logistics have been hitting the headlines like never before over the last year. If you had mentioned the term to the average person before 2020, they would have probably been able to deduce what it meant, but now everyone is keenly aware of just how critical this field of operations is.

We are of course referring to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech which needs to be stored at a staggering -70 degrees Celsius. While there are plenty of medicines which also need to be stored and transported and low temperatures, it is unusual for a vaccine – never mind one which needed to be rolled out on such a massive scale – creating an instantaneous market for next-generation temperature-controlled logistics.

The Cold Chain

2019 research shows that the biopharma industry loses an estimated $35 billion annually due to failures in temperature-controlled logistics and the resultant product spoilage. One can only imagine how much this figure now has the potential to skyrocket due to the increased demand for these services.

44.6% of participants said they had experienced multiple temperature excursions over the course of a year, with 16% stating they were a monthly occurrence. 41% of these were by more than four degrees and 21% more than eight.

However, it isn’t just the COVID-19 pandemic which is driving demand for temperature-controlled logistics in the pharma industry. A growing middle-class and a generally more health conscious up and coming generation is creating demand for more advanced medications, health supplements, and other “non-essential” pharma products.

We have also seen in recent years a rise in personalised medications. These treatments are manufactured in very small batches to meet the personal needs of a single patient, often made using the end-user’s own DNA to increase effectiveness. Obviously, with these products being manufactured in this way, the consequences of spoilage are potentially even more severe as you cannot simply open another case if the first shipment goes bad.

Risk Management

Temperature controlled logistics are really all about risk management. Service providers need to identify the links in the chain where mistakes are likely to occur and make special effort to combat their potential. For example, the average logistics chain will involve several handover points, where shipments are switched from warehouse to truck, truck to boat or aircraft, etc. and it’s during these moments where the greatest chance for temperature excursions exists – especially where human error becomes a factor.

This is especially true where pharma supply chains need to cross borders and language barriers also become an issue – often compounded by differences in regulations and customs. This creates even more potential for delays and the possibility for shipments to become compromised.

We are therefore seeing a massive increase in the technologies available to logistics providers which are helping to remove the potential for human error and create a more reliable and transparent temperature-controlled pharmaceutical supply chain. Advanced sensors, blockchain, IoT technologies, and many others are all finding a home in the pharma supply chain as we rely more and more on temperature sensitive medicines and other treatments.