Most of the medicines supplied to the Ukrainian market by Delta Medical, you may have never seen advertised on our social media pages or on TV. This is because many of them are prescription drugs, which by law cannot be promoted directly to consumers.
However, these medicines are well-known and vital to the patients whose lives depend on them. Our portfolio includes critical treatments for oncology, gynecology, hepatology, and hematology.
Some of these life-saving medicines require special conditions for logistics and storage, namely cold chains. Maintaining the cold chain is essential not only during the manufacturing process but also throughout transportation and storage. Any deviation from the specified temperature range can cause the drug to lose its potency and effectiveness.
At Delta Medical, we specialize in delivering pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health supplements to over 11,000 pharmacies and healthcare facilities across Ukraine. Many of the products we handle are temperature-sensitive and require strict cold chain management to maintain their safety and efficacy.
Cold chain refers to the uninterrupted series of refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities, along with associated equipment and logistics, which maintain a desired low-temperature range.
Our Cold Chain Process at Delta Medical
Our task as a pharmaceutical distributor is to ensure that the quality and potency of cold chain medicines is preserved from the time they leave the manufacturer to when they reach patients. This requires:
- Specially trained personnel
- Validated refrigeration equipment and vehicles
- Qualified thermal shipping containers
- Robust procedures for handling, packing and transporting products
All employees who handle cold chain goods undergo thorough training and testing before being authorized to work with these sensitive products. Leading international pharmaceutical companies that supply us regularly audit our facilities and processes.
Temperature-Controlled Logistics and Storage at Delta Medical
When transporting large quantities of cold chain medicines, we use refrigerated trucks equipped with temperature monitoring devices. For smaller shipments, validated thermal containers with temperature loggers are used.
Upon receipt at our warehouses, products are immediately transferred to qualified refrigerators and freezers. The entire process of moving goods from the customs cold storage to our own is tightly controlled and typically takes under 5 minutes.
Our warehouses are equipped with state-of-the-art climate control and monitoring systems to maintain optimal storage conditions for different types of products:
- Room temperature: 20-25°C
- Cool: 8-15°C
- Cold: 2-8°C
- Freezer: -10 to -20°C
- Ultra-low freezer: -70 to -80°C
Packaging and Shipping Solutions
Proper packaging is critical to protect temperature-sensitive products during transit. We utilize various specialized packaging solutions depending on the specific temperature requirements:
- Gel packs and eutectic plates to maintain refrigerated conditions
- Dry ice and liquid nitrogen for deep-frozen shipments
- Vacuum insulated panels and thermal blankets for enhanced insulation
- Temperature monitoring devices and indicators in every parcel
Our network of temperature-controlled vehicles and logistics partners enables us to reliably deliver cold chain shipments to any location in Ukraine within 24-48 hours. GPS tracking allows real-time monitoring of location and conditions.
Quality Control and Compliance
Quality control is embedded in every step of our cold chain operations. Key aspects include:
- Routine calibration and validation of all temperature-controlled equipment
- Continuous temperature monitoring and logging, with alarms for any excursions
- Detailed SOPs for every process, with regular audits to ensure compliance
- Annual validation of shipping lanes to test packaging and processes
- Rigorous employee training and performance monitoring
We strive to meet or exceed all relevant guidelines and regulations, including GDP and GSP standards for cold chain management. Regular self-inspections and audits by clients and regulatory authorities keep us vigilant.
The Importance of Cold Chain Management at Delta Medical
Patients rely on us to deliver medications safely and effectively. Improper handling of cold chain products can impact their purity, potency and safety. Excessive heat exposure can accelerate drug degradation, while freezing can structurally damage some products. In the case of vaccines, failure to maintain the cold chain has dire public health consequences.
By implementing robust cold chain management processes, we uphold our commitment to positively impacting people’s health and well-being. Our clients and patients can trust that the products we deliver maintain their quality and integrity.
