Managing the pharma cold chain with active and passive systems
DATE: 04/03/18
Managing the pharma cold chain with active and passive systems
Pharmaceuticals and biologics are some of the most valuable and critical commodities shipped today. Drug manufacturers have operations across borders, including production centers in North American locations such as Puerto Rico, Mexico and many countries in Europe. In fact, North America and Europe are top exporters of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals by air.
According to the World Health Organization, the global pharmaceutical industry will rise from a $300 billion market to $400 billion within the next three years. And did you know that temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals and biologics are the fastest-growing pharmaceutical segment? The growth of cold-chain drugs and biologics will outpace overall industry sales growth through 2020, according to Pharmaceutical Commerce.
Increasingly, the pharmaceutical industry is turning out products which are temperature-sensitive and could be rendered worthless or harmful to patients when not handled properly during transit and storage.
Protecting temperature-controlled shipments during transit
When it comes to distributing temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals and biologics, shippers of these high-value perishables should only use freight forwarders, logistics providers and transportation carriers which demonstrate expertise in managing the pharmaceutical cold chain.
Specialized packaging is used to maintain the proper temperature ranges which these products require. The pharma cold chain uses both active and passive packaging systems to keep products within optimum temperature ranges. Amerijet is certified in IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) program to ensure your shipments travel safely, securely and compliant to all national and international regulations and standards. Keeping the products within the required temperature range during the entire transportation process is crucial to ensure integrity in the cold chain. The airline has procedures and systems in place to ensure that every shipment receives a dependable and consistently high level of care. The CEIV certification reconfirms Amerijet’s commitment to offering the highest consistent quality, professionalism and transparency to its customers.
Amerijet: pharma cold chain specialist
Amerijet International, Inc., an all-cargo air carrier based in Miami, has more than 40 years of experience in managing the cold chain and medical-related shipments. Amerijet’s Temperature Controlled (ATC) handling facility at the Miami airport includes a custom-built cooling facility equipped with active alarm systems, temperature-data recorders and 24/7 CCTV monitoring. Computer-monitored pharmaceutical cooling chambers provide storage environments for ambient, 15°C – 25°C, chilled at 2°C – 8°C, and frozen at -0°C shipments.
- Passive (for temperatures ranging between +2°C to +8°C, +15°C to +25°C) is designed for insulated shipments pre-packaged with dry ice or cold packs, which can accept minor temperature fluctuations and do not require transportation or storage in active temperature controlled units.
- Active (for temperatures ranging between -20°C to +25°C) is designed for temperature-sensitive commodities stored and transported in active temperature controlled units.
Amerijet accepts ATC passive shipments in all of its direct service locations. Amerijet accepts ATC active shipments are accepted in Miami, Puerto Rico, Mexico City, Managua, Panama City and Trinidad. For more information about Amerijet pharmaceutical and medical shipping solutions, visit the website.