MDs voice concerns over cold chain breaches, effects on drugs

Three in five surveyed physicians are "very concerned" that cold chain breaches will compromise the efficacy of the drugs they prescribe. More than half cite concerns about serious adverse effects due to poor temperature controls at and between supply chain stops.

The doctors have a basis for their concerns. A Harris Interactive survey finds that more than 83 percent of primary care doctors report experiencing a cold chain break.

Specialist doctors report more cold chain breaks during product delivery, as products reach their offices. Primary care doctors and pediatricians, on the other hand, report more storage-related cold chain breaks for products stored in their offices.

Physicians report also a lack of confidence that heat-sensitive products were stored properly along the cold chain, the survey says. Less than a third of those surveyed report being "very confident" in product temperature management.

- see the release

Related Articles:
Cold-chain solutions a must by 2014
It's air vs. sea in cold chain battle
Vaccine process shuns the cold
Cold chain calls to suffering airlines