The Cold Chain

Temperature control is one of the most important things to consider when shipping pharmaceuticals. A change of even 2 degrees can spoil a whole batch of medication, so there’s very little room for error. Cold pharmaceuticals are shipped as part of something called the cold chain, which refers to a continuous state of refrigeration from the supply, to transportation, to storage, and finally to the market. Because the cold chain can never be broken or the pharmaceuticals might be ruined, there are some very specific rules that LTL refrigerated trucking companies have to follow. These rules can vary by province as well as by product, so make sure you understand everything about what you’re hauling before you get started.

Reefer Trucks

Most pharmaceuticals are shipped in special refrigerated trucks called reefer trucks. Reefer trucks are designed to hold an exact temperature for the entirety of the journey, even if it’s scorching hot outside. They feature their own refrigeration units and power sources and are used not only for pharmaceuticals but also for fresh produce, flowers, and even ice cream. Unsurprisingly, these trucks can be pretty pricey, so it’s important to make sure your employees are well trained in how to drive and maintain the vehicles.

Rules and Regulations

The rules for shipping pharmaceuticals are set by Health Canada in this country and the Food and Drug Administration in the US. They can vary based on the type of pharmaceutical being shipped, but they’re meant to ensure a few important things – that the pharma products are being kept safe and unspoiled, and that drugs are being shipped to patients as they need them. Anyone offering refrigerated trucking services should be well-versed in these rules and has a duty to uphold them in their business. Failure to follow the rules can result in some pretty hefty fines, so make sure you’re always on top of things. Besides, those rules are there for a reason, and even the smallest deviation can result in a ruined batch

Shipping pharmaceuticals might seem like a difficult task, but as long as you know and follow the rules, you should have no problem with your refrigerated trucking company. Please feel free to contact us by filling out our online form or calling us at (844) 334-0039.

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The Initial Impact of the Coronavirus

The emergence of the coronavirus and the world governments’ reaction to the pandemic stalled refrigerated transport. The closure of non-essential services led to reduced shipping operations, with many countries reporting up to a 20% reduction in overall truck traffic. Most supply lines pertaining to non-essential services – both refrigerated and standard – either fell drastically or shut down completely.

The Need for Trucking Increases as the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues

As people stayed home more frequently, they purchased and consumed more frozen foods. Stay-at-home mandates and people voluntarily staying home led to increases in online orders and eating meals at home, providing additional boosts to the trucking industry in general. In addition, the need for pharmaceuticals – including those which needed to be kept at low temperatures – increased. Currently, neither the uptrend in frozen food nor the importance of fresh pharmaceuticals have shown signs of slowing.

Measures That Trucking Companies Can Take to Survive the Coronavirus Pandemic

The health of the employees and the customers should be the top priority; money and jobs can be replaced in time, but the coronavirus has permanent effects even when a patient survived a coronavirus infection. Trucking services should meet or exceed all CDC and government guidelines and regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Refrigerated trucking services are more likely to remain strong during the pandemic, but fostering and strengthening relationships with customers can provide further future-proofing results. The information that customers provide can help trucking companies anticipate upcoming needs or offer means to reduce costs or shorten delivery times.

Entrust MGA International with Your Climate-Sensitive Cargo

MGA International is a premier refrigerated trucking company that offers climate-controlled shipping for full truckloads of cargo within Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico. We have nearly two decades of experience with refrigerated shipments, and our climate-controlled trailers are specifically designed to keep temperatures constant to dramatically reduce the risk of cargo spoiling. New and current customers can access our contact page to estimate shipping times, subscribe to our email list, submit questions, and request price quotes. We can also be reached via phone at (844) 334-0039.

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