Supply of heat sensitive veterinary medicines
Ensuring the quality of veterinary medicines during supply
Some veterinary medicines, such as vaccines, must be stored and kept in a controlled cold chain environment right through from the point of manufacture through to use on the farm or in a practice. This can be challenging, particularly during hot weather. However, failure to maintain the recommended temperatures can lead to the rapid degradation of vaccines and other heat-sensitive veterinary medicines, rendering them ineffective.
The significance of proper storage, including during transit
Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality, safety and efficacy of all medicines, including veterinary medicines. The shelf life and expiry date of each medicine is determined through stability testing conducted under specific storage conditions. Adverse storage conditions can negatively affect product quality, safety and efficacy. Heat-sensitive veterinary medicines are typically labelled with instructions such as “Store between 2 - 8˚C”.
Vaccines in particular are susceptible to deterioration due to physical or chemical changes if the product is exposed to temperatures outside this narrow range. This means that extra care is needed when handling, storing and using such products. Even a brief period of freezing or heating may result in a loss of efficacy.
Best practice tips for Cold Chain management
On Receipt of heat-sensitive veterinary medicines:
- Confirm that the products have been maintained during transport from supplier within the 2 - 8˚C temperature range.
- Prioritise placing the products in the fridge.
On Operating the Fridge Unit:
- Identify and avoid hot/cold spots; do not store product near the chiller, ice box unit or door shelves.
- Ensure that products are shielded from moisture, water or ice.
- Have a back-up/contingency plan in place in case of fridge failure.
- Continuously monitor and record temperatures using an independent calibrated probe/logger
- Investigate temperature excursions outside of the specified range and assess the impact on the products stored
Supplying Heat-sensitive veterinary medicines:
- Maintain 2 - 8˚C temperature range during transportation to the end user using validated cold chain delivery systems or cold boxes.
- Inform your customers that immediate refrigeration is required upon receipt.
- Do not accept returned products back into saleable stock.