The Cost of Temperature Excursions in the Pharmaceutical Industry

When COVID vaccines first started rolling out, the logistical challenges of transporting pharmaceuticals were put in the spotlight. Transporting vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medicines is nothing new, but the scale of the COVID pandemic, alongside special conditions requirements for some of the manufacturers' vaccines, presented some unique challenges. 

If the transportation of refrigerated goods is mismanaged, there is the potential to create temperature excursions. Defined by the World Health Organization, a temperature excursion occurs when a pharmaceutical product is exposed to temperatures outside the range prescribed for storage and transport, resulting in considerable loss. 

Waste resulting from temperature excursions can be measured in several ways: 

• Financial losses 
• Impact on health and wellness 
• Environmental cost 

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the various costs of temperature excursions and how reefer management solutions can help carriers avoid them. 

Financial Losses 

Failure to properly maintain the cold chain during the handling and transport of medicines costs the pharmaceutical industry some $35 billion annually, according to one analysis. Other studies have found that cold chain logistics issues are to blame for 30% of the temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals that must be disposed of. And 20% of all temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals are damaged by or at least exposed to, significant temperature excursions during transport. 

Effect on Health 

In addition to the staggering financial losses associated with temperature excursions in the transport of pharmaceuticals, there is also a very real impact on health. The potency of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals are often temperature sensitive. If doses are exposed to a temperature excursion, they can diminish effectiveness. In such cases, replacements must be ordered, thus delaying vaccination or other treatment and potentially leading to severe outcomes for those in need.  

Environmental Cost 

The environmental cost of wasted vaccines frequently goes unaccounted for. While it is difficult to quantify the data, you can paint a picture from the raw materials involved in production, as well as the fuel and energy required to store and transport vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medicines that potentially go to waste due to temperature excursions. 

How to Avoid these Losses During Transport 

Every step of the cold chain must be closely monitored and controlled to ensure that temperature excursions do not happen. 

Reefer management solutions for motor carriers play a large role, given refrigerated trailers are used to transport temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. These solutions give carriers and shippers the visibility, confidence and control they need to ensure that vaccines are delivered safely. Additionally, remote monitoring, two-way reefer control, fuel, door and temperature sensors and a variety of customizable alerts are features designed to put you in control of your cold chain and keep valuable cargo safe. 

Click here to learn how EROAD's reefer management solution can help you avoid losses, boost operational efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.