During the transport of medical equipment and medicines, the requirements for the storage of drugs, vaccines, and other materials must be observed in such a way that there is no deterioration due to temperature fluctuations in the packaging or damage to the packaging and, thus, a violation of the protected thermal conditions.

For example, Covid 19 vaccine must be stored and transported refrigerated between −80 and −60°C for up to thirty-one days before use. In February 2021, the company announced that the vaccine could be stored for a limited time, even at higher temperatures (−15 °C).

But how can it be ascertained retroactively that these conditions were observed and that there was no change during transport?

And if the shipping boxes were damaged and the temperature was disturbed, then at what stage of transportation was it, and with which carrier?

It is difficult to recognize a spoiled vaccine or medicines exposed to other than the required temperatures by sight or smell. And so, there is a real risk of release for distribution and use to treat patients. And this can harm health and have unpleasant complications and consequences for the patient.

It is essential to have information about changes in the temperature conditions of transport when receiving medicines at the warehouse.

The solution is implementing the Antra ID – Vaccine Quality Management system based on RFID technology.

This system enables end-to-end tracking of products sensitive to temperature fluctuations during transport and storage. It can be used up to a temperature of -80 degrees. The result is correct and controllable cooperation between supply chain partners.

• The pharmaceutical company must place semi-passive RFID UHF loggers on the vaccine packages.
• The temperature sensor of the logger is inserted into the package through a well-insulated opening.
• This logger collects data from the environment in which it is located (e.g., temperature, humidity…) during transport and storage.
• This data can be easily extracted and analysed using RFID antennas and handheld RFID terminals at checkpoints.
• The system warns with multi-level alarms if it detects a product that has exceeded or approached pre-defined temperature limits while stocking goods and the entire shipping process.
• Due to the specification of the RFID system, it is possible to carry out multi-product continuous inventory in selected warehouses.

You know exactly what conditions the shipment was in and whether you can release it for use without any problems.