Some of the industry’s biggest challenges are the adequate transportation and storage of medicines that require temperature control in pharmaceutical logistics. After all, since this sector is highly regulated and requires rigorous controls to guarantee the quality of products from manufacturing to their arrival at the end consumer.

Adequate temperature control ensures that the quality of the products is maintained so that their active ingredients do not change. This care helps to guarantee the effectiveness, efficiency, stability and physical-chemical characteristics of the drugs.

But do you know how to control temperature in pharmaceutical pharmaceutical logistics? Why is he so important? In this article you will be able to find useful information on this subject. Check it out!

See the importance of temperature control in pharmaceutical logistics

Some care with storage and delivery is essential to maintain the integrity of the products.

Most pharmaceutical industries must store and transport their products at temperatures ranging from -15º to 25º to maintain their effectiveness.

In addition, employees involved in operations must carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding humidity, temperature, exposure to light and other factors.

Some care is also necessary to maintain the integrity of the packaging. Anvisa determines that packaging must be capable of protecting its contents. Furthermore, pallets for handling, transporting and storing need to be manufactured from inert material that does not absorb water and may contain fungi and bacteria.

Learn how to store properly

It is necessary to use temperature controllers both in the cold rooms where the products are stored and in the trunks of the trucks that will transport them.

In addition, the storage space must be sufficient to house all products, ensuring that they are homogeneously refrigerated.

Companies must design or adapt storage areas to ensure ideal storage conditions and allow for the organized storage of raw materials and products. The organization must clean, dry, and maintain appropriate temperatures and humidity levels for stored materials. In addition, strict pest and moisture control procedures must be followed.

To promote cleaning, installations must have smooth surfaces, without cracks or dust release, to facilitate cleaning and avoid contaminants.

Medicines should not be positioned directly on the floor or against walls. They must keep a minimum distance from the roof and must not be in direct sunlight. The pallets used must be made of material that allows cleaning and does not constitute a source of contamination, such as treated wood, aluminum or plastic materials.
As it is made from sanitizeable and non-toxic material, the rotomolded plastic pallet helps to avoid contamination and favors security in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also easy to clean and sanitize, as it has rounded corners, no edges, easy to sanitize and immune to external agents. Furthermore, it does not absorb moisture or suffer from oxidation attack. The product also receives antimicrobial protection, which prevents the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.

Also pay attention to the necessary precautions during transport

To prevent medicines from suffering damage during transport, it is necessary to carry out strict monitoring of the products from leaving the industry to their final destination. After all, poor transport conditions can harm products due to the influence of external factors, such as light, heat, humidity and contact with contaminants.

Some medications require constant monitoring and control, as they can become destabilized with temperature fluctuations. This compromises the quality, safety and efficiency of the products.

To avoid these problems, the company that transports medicines must observe the specifications for temperature, packaging, storage and humidity of medicines. However, it is important to use well-calibrated instruments.

Good temperature control is achieved when using resistant Styrofoam or polystylene thermal boxes in good condition. These containers must be able to maintain the internal temperature considering the external temperature and transport time.

Refrigerated vehicles or thermal suitcases used for transportation must have temperature control with a historical record of this information, a cleaning routine and must not transport other products at the same time. 

Discover the ideal pallet for temperature control in pharmaceutical logistics

Super Roto® rotomolded plastic pallets are capable of transporting, storing, protecting and organizing the most different types of products in the industry.

Made from high-density rotomolded plastic, rotomolded plastic pallets are very resistant to temperature variations. The pallet racks accommodate pallets in cold rooms and in environments with temperatures between -35ºC and 60ºC without presenting variations in weight, color and shape. Made from polyethylene, these products are best suited for sectors that require washable and sterile packaging, such as food and pharmaceutical products.

In addition, the Super Roto® pallet has a smooth, waterproof surface, which minimizes the accumulation or release of particles or microorganisms. Furthermore, it allows the application of cleaning agents and disinfectants that act on the entire surface.

Due to these and other characteristics, it is the safest to deal with chemical products and meets the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices. As well as containment pallets, which prevent the leakage of chemical, flammable, acidic and corrosive liquids stored in drums and drums.

Have more security with rotomolded cargo safes

In turn, the cargo safe model with closing latches is ideal for moving controlled substances listed in Annex I of Ordinance SVS/MS No. 344/98. These products are also non-toxic, resistant to chemical agents, feature stainless steel closing latches and hinges and can receive antimicrobial protection. Furthermore, they comply with ABNT NBR 16242, Class 1, 2 and 3, and Anvisa standards on dangerous cargo.

As we have seen, controlling and monitoring the temperature in cold rooms and truck trunks is essential to ensure the quality and effectiveness of medicines.

Did you like this article? Do you want to know more about the advantages of using plastic pallets in logistics processes in the pharmaceutical industry? Check out this webinar with the participation of experts.