Transport of healthcare and pharmaceutical products : What do you need to know ?

What is included in the category of healthcare and pharmaceutical products ?

Healthcare and pharmaceutical products include the following categories :

-Medecines (for humans and animals)

-Medical devices

-Vaccines

-Cosmetics, essential oils...

-Organ, tissues, cells...

-Blood products

-Breast milk

- …

Using a specific type of vehicle is essential to ensure theses products are transported at the correct temperature from departure to arrival. This impacts logistical operations and transport management from storage areas to pharmaceutical manufacturing sites, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, vaccination centers, medical practices, veterinary clinics, etc. It is therefore necessary to use temperature-controlled transport solutions to distribute various types of products while meeting the safety requirements imposed by GDP. 

Transporting healthcare and pharmaceutical products

The Public Health Code includes several articles regulating the transport of healthcare and pharmaceutical products. These rules clarify the regulatory protocol for transport operations, particularly preservation conditions linked to each product's Marketing Authorization (MA). 

Here are the main practices to follow to transport healthcare products while meeting quality requirements.

Maintaining temperatures throughout the entire journey

Temperatures control is probably the most important factor to consider. Most healthcare products cannot tolerate any temperature deviations. If they are stored at a temperature that is too high or different from that specified in their MA, they risk losing some of their properties and effectiveness. This undermines the quality of the transported goods and affects public health safety. These requirements apply equally to international transport services and express deliveries within France. 

Medecines, vaccines, and temperature-sensitive medical products must all comply with clod-chain regulations. Transport vehicles must therefore be equipped with a quality system capable of managing temperature during delivery and ensuring compliance with Good Distribution Practices. 

The main temperature ranges used to classify transport are :

-Negative cold (<-15°C, <-18°C, <-20°C...) 

-Positive Cold (+2°C et +8°C)

-Ambient temperature (+15°C et +25°C)

-Specific ranges : some healthcare products require transport at non-standard temperatures.

Using a refrigerated vehicles makes it possible to adjust and control temperature during the transport of temperature-sensitive healthcare products in accordance with regulatory requirements.

What are the recommendations for transporting healthcare and pharmaceutical products ?

Temperature-controlled transport solutions for healthcare and pharmaceutical products must meet the following conditions :

-Temperature regulation and control

-Uniform temperature throughout the compartment (air circulation and flow)

-Continuous temperature monitoring during transport

-Recording and traceability

-Protection of the integrity of transported products (preventing falls, crushing, etc.)

-Compliance with hygiene rules

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