Improving the Reliability and Security of Global Cold Chain Logistics
O VERVIEW
In this article, we will describe the current
state of cold chain logistics following the use
case of pharmaceuticals, where a known
chain of custody and assurance of quality has
enormous implications for the efficacy of
vaccines and other medical assets.
Global cold chains require multiple
organizations to collaborate, which results in
a heterogenous system of hardware,
software and assets. Cold chains in the
pharmaceutical industry are particularly
challenging, owing to the stringent
requirements
associated
with
the
movement of life-saving vaccines, cultures
and medications. This article explores the
current state of cold chain logistics for
pharmaceuticals and identifies weaknesses
in the lifecycle of a cold chain. The article
also discusses how IoT can play an enabling
role, and concludes with a summary of
prevention and risk mitigation strategies.
C HARACTERISTICS OF C OLD C HAIN
L OGISTICS
We can think of the cold chain as being the
environmentally controlled lifecycle of a
single good or asset and cold chain logistics
as "a systemic project to ensure the quality
and performance of goods in the production,
storage, transportation, sales, and all
aspects" of the product life cycle leading up
to consumption of the product. 1 The single
asset either has a continuous or broken cold
chain. The overall machinations to store,
handoff and transport the assets are the cold
chain logistics. The importance of the
following characteristics may vary across
different types of assets, but they still must
be considered at least in some manner to
determine the efficacy of a cold chain
logistics system.
I NTRODUCTION
A cold chain is a variation of a supply chain,
whereby the assets that must be moved
have additional requirements of being kept
refrigerated or in some other manner under
control of environmental parameters, such
as light and humidity. Exposure of the assets
to heat or humidity, even briefly, can cause
diminished efficacy or complete waste.
Environmental Sensitivity
While it is logically simple to refrigerate or
otherwise store an asset in an
environmentally controlled container, great
complexity and risk is introduced when
assets must move between multiple parties
through a holistic supply chain.
Every asset is sensitive to extreme
environmental conditions. Excess heat spoils
vaccines. Excess humidity fuels mold growth
on fabrics. Excess light can destroy certain
chemicals and films. There are many other
examples of destructive environmental
1
Wang, H., Lan, Y. and Kong, F. (2018). Research on Development Model and Strategy of Agricultural Products Cold Chain
Logistics in Jilin Province. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 452, p.022033.
- 45 -
March 2019