As cold chain losses continue to plague pharmaceutical companies, reliable cold chain transport has become paramount. Approximately 4% of pharmaceuticals do not arrive at their destination in usable condition due to temperature deviations. This costs companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in wasted supplies. For this reason it is critical for pharmaceutical shipping companies to invest in transport containers that can maintain the exact temperatures required for their contents.
Assessing the Importance of Temperature Controlled Shipping Containers for Pharmaceuticals
The use of high-quality cold transport containers in the pharmaceutical transportation process is essential for ensuring that pharmaceutical companies can overcome the numerous shipping obstacles they face:
Temperature Control
The most important and obvious benefit of refrigerated pharmaceutical shipping containers is their ability to maintain the appropriate temperature throughout the pharmaceutical transportation cycle. A temperature variation of as little as two degrees can be enough to spoil the entire lot, which could result in losses totaling hundreds or thousands of dollars for smaller orders and millions for larger shipments.
This issue is exacerbated when shipping pharmaceuticals between locations with extreme temperature variances.
Today, pharmaceutical reefer units are available that will control the temperature of pharmaceutical products and allow the shipper to monitor it throughout the journey. These containers are equipped with sensors that can detect small temperature variations and even determine if the products were exposed to light, which could cause contamination in certain pharmaceuticals.
Klinge offers several pharmaceutical transport container options to meet the temperature requirements of all types of pharma products including vaccines, blood and plasma, and other biologic materials. This enables the shipper to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the journey regardless of the atmospheric conditions.
Maintaining Regulatory Compliance
Pharmaceutical manufacturers must meet stringent regulatory requirements for the good of the public. The Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies impose strict guidelines regarding the handling, packaging and shipping of pharmaceutical substances and products, which also encompass the containers used to transport these materials.
These guidelines stipulate, among other things, that the containers must sufficiently protect the specific dosage form and be manufactured from safe and compatible materials. Pharmaceutical shipping containers help manufacturers remain in compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations, helping them avoid costly fines and minimizing the risk of a damaged or spoiled shipment.
Security/Theft Prevention
With the high value of many pharmaceutical products, theft is a constant threat. Well-constructed reefer containers for pharmaceuticals can make it more difficult for thieves to gain access to the interior of the unit and its contents. When combined with additional security measures implemented by the shipper and warehousing facilities, the containers can mitigate the theft risk.
Cost Reduction
The combination of all the above factors enable pharmaceutical reefer containers to have a positive impact on what matters most: the bottom line. By helping to lower shipping and handling costs and preventing losses in the form of damaged products, refrigerated containers increase the manufacturer’s profitability and deliver a significant return on investment.
Recognizing the extreme requirements and risks associated with cold chain supplies, Klinge meets the challenge of transporting and storing valuable pharmaceuticals with our temperature control equipment. Klinge has provided their refrigeration systems to pharmaceutical and chemical companies such as Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Arkema, and many others.
Klinge’s Cold Chain Solution for Pharmaceuticals:
NMF-372 PHARMA: Deep Freezer Dual System
Two Full-Capacity Freezer Units
» Reliability: Redundancy with two complete & independent freezer systems. Valuable pharmaceuticals are safe with our primary and back-up freezer units.
»Provides cargo temperature in the range from 0°C to -70°C. The unit operates in ambient temperatures up to +50°C.
» Convenience: Deep Freezer can be used in an ISO container or in a room.
» Safety Control: Available with a datalogger that is linked in to an independently-powered audible and visual alarm system that sounds in the unlikely event that failure occurs.
» Security: Satellite recording & monitoring of temperature, alarm status, running condition, and fuel level.
PFR-582-PHARMA: Picture Frame Redundant Container System
Two Full-Capacity Refrigeration Units
» Reliability: Redundancy with two complete & independent refrigeration circuits. Valuable pharmaceuticals are safe with our primary and back-up refrigeration units.
» Maximum Storage Space: Refrigeration unit is just 14in (365 mm) deep, allowing for maximum space for pharmaceuticals.
» Advanced Technology: Fast-acting microprocessor maintains a constant temperature for safe, long-term transportation.
» Safety Control: Available with a datalogger that is linked in to an independently-powered audible and visual alarm system that sounds in the unlikely event that failure occurs.
» Security: Satellite recording & monitoring of temperature, alarm status, running condition, and fuel level.
NMR-262-PHARMA: Nose-Mount Redundant Container System
Two Full-Capacity Refrigeration Units
One Generator Set for back-up power supply
» Reliability: Redundancy with two complete & independent refrigeration circuits. Valuable pharmaceuticals are safe with our primary and back-up refrigeration units.
» Used for products between -5ºC (23ºF) and -25ºC (-13ºF)
» Fail-Safe: Available with back-up Generator Set capable of powering the refrigeration unit if loss of external power supply occurs or during transport on a truck.
» Sophisticated Technology: Fast-acting microprocessor maintains a constant temperature for safe, long-term transportation.
» Safety Control: Available with a datalogger that is linked in to an independently-powered audible and visual alarm system that sounds in the unlikely event that failure occurs.
» Security: Satellite recording & monitoring of temperature, alarm status, running condition, and fuel level.
NMP-282-PHARMA: Nose-Mount Redundant Container System
Two Full-Capacity Refrigeration Units
One Generator Set for back-up power supply
» Reliability: Redundancy with two complete & independent refrigeration circuits. Valuable pharmaceuticals are safe with our primary and back-up refrigeration units.
» Used for cargo temperatures between 2ºC (36ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF)
» Fail-Safe: Available with back-up Generator Set capable of powering the refrigeration unit if loss of external power supply occurs or during transport on a truck.
» Sophisticated Technology: Fast-acting microprocessor maintains a constant temperature for safe, long-term transportation.
» Safety Control: Available with a datalogger that is linked in to an independently-powered audible and visual alarm system that sounds in the unlikely event that failure occurs.
» Security: Satellite recording & monitoring of temperature, alarm status, running condition, and fuel level.
NMF-371-PHARMA: Deep Freezer
Temperatures down to -70°C (-85°C)
» Worry-Free Freezing: Unlike other freezer designs, our NMF-371-PHARMA contains defrost heat in the evaporator section so that heat does not enter the flue. More standard designs allow heat from defrost to enter the container thereby heating up pharmaceuticals stored in the container.
» Convenience: Deep Freezer can be used in an ISO container or in a room.
» Efficiency: Fast and efficient hot gas defrosting system is designed for low temperatures.
» Back-Up Power: Optional integral generator set is capable of powering unit if loss of power occurs or during transport on truck.
» Safety Control: Available with a datalogger that is linked in to an independently-powered audible and visual alarm system that sounds in the unlikely event that failure occurs.
» Security: Satellite recording & monitoring of temperature, alarm status, running condition, and fuel level.