It is now possible for online pharmacies to ship increased volumes of medications over longer distances thanks to IoT controlled temperature-regulated supply chains.

These complex supply chains are important because modern medications are relatively more sensitive to temperature fluctuations than ever before. This creates unique logistical challenges that pharmacies must accommodate.

The good news is that new technologies are now making it possible for leading online pharmacies like Plus Virtual to achieve temperature-controlled shipping goals. This is true even in far-flung areas of Toronto.

In the past, shipment at freezing temperatures such as -10°C and even lower cryogenic ranges were simply not possible.

Choosing the Right Package is Key

Successful shipments of pharmaceuticals depend on the right choice of packaging to ensure conditions remain within the desired ranges during transit. Plus Virtual employs innovative packaging solutions that utilize IOT sensors & blockchain to ensure each medication is at the acceptable temperature range.

Plus Virtual works with specialist logistics providers who offer the best packaging solutions from a range of manufacturers, carefully choosing and recommending the most appropriate product for each route and type of shipment.

To ensure the best possible service for their customers, Plus Virtual utilizes research facilities that enables them to verify the performance of all their packaging solutions, and vigorously testing them beyond industry standards.

Plus Virtual is able to provide the most appropriate temperature-controlled package solutions for each individual type of shipment and meets various compliance measures.

Below are various factors that should be evaluated before choosing a temperature-controlled solution:

• The acceptable temperature
• Potential areas of risk and touchpoints
• The acceptable margin of error for the temperature
• Specific actions that can compromise the integrity of the product
• Acceptable levels of risk

Specialized Packaging for Sensitive Products

Plus Virtual uses special packaging material for medications that are required to stay within a defined temperature range, even if the package is sitting outside for several hours after delivery.

Accounting for Unpredictable Weather Patterns with Data-Driven Solutions

In most cases, even after the most high-performance packaging solution has been selected for your shipment, there are various potential variables and uncertainties that could take the package outside the parameters for which it was designed, leaving the contents vulnerable to delays and temperature irregularities.

This is why Plus Virtual forecasts temperature using IOT sensors and complex algorithms to identify the most appropriate shipping and destination temperatures that match with the medication’s temperature profile. This information allows them to ship on time and utilize the most appropriate packaging that should be used in transit.

Avoiding High Temperatures

There are various factors that can expose medications to extremely high temperatures, here is our countdown of the most common:

• Warehouse: Warehouses must be selected based on standardized tests to ensure they don’t lie outside temperature ranges.

• Hot weather: High outside temperatures may cause certain types of medications to start overheating. This mostly happens during power outages.

• Delivery: The delivery truck should have appropriate temperature-controlled environments to make sure that the medication isn’t exposed to undesirable temperature ranges.

• Traveling: Spending too much time in transit.

• Car: Storing medicine in your car for a long time can expose it to high heat.

What Are the Ideal Temperatures for Storing Medication?

The WHO dictates a very strict criterion for storage of medicines. It states that pharmaceuticals should be stored in a cool and dry area, away from direct sunlight and strong odors. It also states that humidity levels should be at 60% or lower, and at temperature conditions as recommended by the manufacture.

Most medications are kept at 1° to 10° C. Failure to maintain these conditions (or close to what the manufacturer recommended) might result in changes to the drug’s color, texture, and create a foul odor or taste. If you notice any of these changes, it’s a clear sign that the drug is no longer safe or effective when consumed.

In addition to temperature, high humidity can change the characteristic of some medicines and even foster the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold, and viruses. High humidity can also inhibit the medicine’s effectiveness and increase toxicity levels. This is why pharmacologists recommend storing drugs in a medicine cabinet, usually kept in bathrooms.

Cryogenic Temperatures for Storing Medicines

Cryogenic storage temperature ranges from 238°F to below. At such extreme temperatures, biological activity is suspended and prevents organic degradation. Cryogenic storage is mostly used for biological materials like blood, reproductive species, tissues, and sensitive materials.

It is worth pointing out that some medications should not be exposed to lower temperatures because it could accelerate the degradation process.

A Word on Refrigerated Vehicles

These vehicles have thermostatically controlled environments allowing Plus Virtual to fine-tune the temperature. Refrigerated vehicles can be trucks and small vans, often equipped with IoT control systems that can be remote controlled. Much of this equipment doesn’t require human input to function, but they’re only effective for a set period of time before they expire.

This mostly makes them effective for shorter journeys.

From Storage to the Customer’s Address

Plus Virtual tracks the product at every stage – from the start of the manufacturing process, through its subsequent distribution, and finally arriving at the patient’s address. Beyond the logistics of moving the medicine to doctor’s offices, patients, and medical centers, there are various factors that need to be monitored as the product travels to the customer. Plus Virtual monitors all end-to-end locations to ensure the medications are kept at the right temperature conditions.

Their goal is to maintain product quality at all phases of the transit, all the way up to when the medication is administered to patients.

Round the Clock Commitment for Guarantee Safe Delivery

Plsu Virtual maintains detailed knowledge of their specialist shipping partners when planning a shipment. They use only the best systems and technologies for their dispensing facilities. If patients have any questions about their medications, their pharmacists will be available to answer patient calls.

While it’s understandable that temperatures will fluctuate, Plus Virtual has implemented a combination of safety measures and storage technology to make prescription medications safer and affordable for everyone.