The Northern Ireland, UK-headquartered contractor introduced the new reusable “shippers” - which can maintain any temperature between 2°C and 8°C - as an alternative to the single-use refrigerated containers it already provides, explaining that their smaller size will reduce customers’ costs.
Almac also suggested that drug companies that use the new containers to ship their temperature sensitive products will eliminate removal and recycling costs.
Leon Supplee, Director of Logistics at Almac’s US HQ said: “With an increase in biologics and temperature sensitive shipments, Almac strives to offer the best in temperature-controlled distribution.
Almac also plans to release reusable options for controlled, ambient shipments, 15°C to 25°C and frozen shipments, -25°C to -15°C in the near future.
New EU GDP guidelines
The introduction of the new shippers to Almac’s established supply chain services business comes a few weeks after new good distribution practices guidelines (GCP) came into effect in the Europe Union (EU).
The guidelines – which were published in the official journal of the European Union - introduce various news requirements relating to the shipment of biopharmaceutical and temperature sensitive drugs.
While the reusability of cargo is not the main focus of the new guidelines. The do stipulate that cool packs must not come into contact with drug products and unfrozen prior after each shipment reaches its destination, however the main them is supply chain security.
The also require that drugs whose labels state they must be stored within a particular temperature range should also be shipped in the same conditions.