COLD CHAIN RT:13sept 08/04/2009 14:44 Page 84
As for monitoring, shipping and packaging technologies are evolving to offer better thermal protection and performance and to conform to logistic needs. New conditioning and insulating materials (VIP, polyurethane, phase change materials) are introduced while reusable temperature-controlled containers are proposed for international shipments. Another important tool to be developed resides in temperature-controlled transportation modes (e.g., temperature-controlled ground trailers). RH. Over recent years the interest in creating more robust and effective cold chain solutions has grown dramatically. Even without the pressure of regulations, companies seem to have even greater desire to ensure product integrity. However, we still come back to the debate of performance versus cost. At SCA Cool Logistics we have dedicated resources to exploring the possibilities of new cold chain solutions and by working closely with all our industry partners we have been able to develop solutions that meet both performance and cost requirements. Today our pharmaceutical partners can select solutions that come readyqualified against real-world temperature data, offer controlled cooling and heating without batteries or preconditioning, hold loads from one litre up to 800 litres and beyond and last for a single shipment or can be reused. They can also be returned to us for cleaning and can reach durations exceeding 120 hours, regardless of ambient conditions, and are thermostatically controlled. NGP. How do you see the pharmaceutical supply chain developing in the future? RH. Green solutions that fulfil a company’s corporate social responsibility whilst addressing the need for maximising cost-effectiveness – these are the systems of tomorrow. Environmental accountability is already bringing considerations regarding recyclability, carbon emissions and energy cost. Cold chain is one part that can be re-evaluated from a green standpoint. Green solutions already exist, but what must be considered is how they are implemented. The green credentials of a solution must be measured alongside how that solution is used. Will components need to be conditioned within refrigerators or freezers? Are suitable facilities available to break down the biodegradable container? How many miles does the reusable system need to travel before it returns to its point of origin? If we look at two different products, ZeoCool and GREENBOX, we can
see that both have the possibility to solve to green issues, but in very different ways. The ZeoCool system uses the process of evaporative cooling which removes the requirement to pre-condition components; this is an environmental benefit considering that Europe’s refrigerators and freezers account for 62 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. ZeoCool offers reduced total system payload, which in turn reduces the transport or fuel consideration; simpler packing process, which means reductions in occupied packing space and man-hours; and no requirement for costly and energy-hungry refrigerated transport. GREENBOX is a completely sustainable thermal packaging system, created with 100 percent recyclable, organic-based, non-toxic and some fully biodegradable components. The resilient nature of GREENBOX means customers can use one box up to 50 times. Reclamation centres gather used GREENBOXes and inspect, clean and re-certify them for re-use.
“An optimal pharmaceutical cold chain should ultimately provide compliance but limit the additional distribution costs” Jean Bédard GREENBOX’s innovative materials are 100 percent recyclable. When the hard plastic outer and Thermal-Lok insulating panels reach the end of their lives they are ground down and made into new shells and panels. In addition, GREENBOX features biodegradable, non-petroleum, non-toxic phase change materials. Customers can save up to 65 percent on distribution-related expenses due to GREENBOX’s unique, reusable design. Because GREENBOX maintains temperature for up to five days; customers can ship road freight – even on Fridays – resulting in up to 65 percent reduction in shipping and distribution costs.
JB. As for the drug development side with GLPs, the manufacturing side with its GMPs, and the clinical trial side with the GCPs, the pharmaceutical supply chain side is going to be significantly impacted with good storage and distribution practices to ensure the highest levels of security and safety for the drug products going throughout the supply chain, from the manufacturing facilities handoff up to the final end-users (patients). Jean Bédard is Chief Executive Officer Cold chain compliance and anti-counterfeiting are cerof Alternatives Technologie Pharma Inc. tainly the two major pillars in making the supply chain He has led the company and its more secure and safe. As a consequence, a great regulaimpressive team of cold chain and tory emphasis will be put on these two aspects, thus leadtrack and trace management experts ing to more generalised good storage and distribution since 2003, and has managed more practices in the pharmaceutical supply chain. than 100 cold chain compliance In the near future, we will probably see a more speprograms in the life sciences and cialised pharmaceutical supply chain, meaning a supply healthcare sectors. He holds an MBA in chain where stakeholders such as wholesalers or transBio-industry Management. porters will be more focused on providing services and quality that fulfil the new pharmaceutical supply chain requirements. n
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