Pharmacies face scrutiny over vaccine storage practices as health authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining a strict temperature range of 2°C to 8°C for thermosensitive products. With the recent expansion of vaccines pharmacists are authorized to administer—including those for influenza, hepatitis, and meningitis—experts warn that inadequate refrigeration methods, such as household refrigerators, may compromise vaccine integrity. François-Xavier Crozet, director of Rubex Pharma, highlights the lack of regulatory mandates requiring pharmacies to invest in professional-grade storage solutions, despite existing guidelines from the National Council of Pharmacists.As the demand for vaccines continues to rise, ensuring proper storage conditions is crucial for patient safety and public health.In the realm of pharmaceutical storage, maintaining optimal refrigeration is crucial for preserving sensitive medications. According to François-Xavier Crozet, a professional refrigeration expert, the effectiveness of refrigerated cabinets hinges on their ability to distribute cold air uniformly. unlike household refrigerators, which can exhibit temperature discrepancies of up to 10°C, professional units are designed to ensure consistent temperatures throughout. To comply with health regulations, these cabinets must be equipped with temperature loggers, a requirement that is not universally met in pharmacies. Additionally, having at least two refrigerated units is recommended: one with a glass door for easy access to frequently used medications and another for long-term storage or emergency backup. As power outages can jeopardize the cold chain, manufacturers are now developing uninterruptible power supplies to safeguard critical equipment, ensuring that the integrity of stored medications remains uncompromised.et. Pourtant, ces données sont capitales si l’armoire venait à tomber en panne : « Les assurances exigent les relevés de température dans le cadre d’une prise en charge. »
Des relevés en continu
Il existe plusieurs types d’enregistreurs. Certains nécessitent des relevés et des saisies manuels, et demandent donc un suivi plus contraignant de la part du pharmacien. « Son métier n’est pas de vérifier des températures »,fait remarquer Adrien Content,dirigeant de Koovea,entreprise qui développe une solution tout-en-un. C’est pourquoi les équipementiers tentent de rendre leurs appareils les plus autonomes possible pour faciliter la tâche aux professionnels de santé. Ainsi, les plus modernes des enregistreurs prévoient deux points de mesure (à placer en haut et en bas de l’armoire) qui recueillent et surveillent à distance les données et sont paramétrés pour alerter le pharmacien via e-mail ou SMS si la température est en dessous ou au-dessus des seuils requis ou lorsque des taux d’humidité trop élevés sont enregistrés.le Testo Saveris 2-T2, par exemple, transmet automatiquement les données vers un cloud via des réseaux Wifi, où elles sont enregistrées et peuvent être consultées à tout moment depuis un smartphone, une tablette ou un ordinateur.
Chez Liebherr, les armoires réfrigérées peuvent être équipées d’un module Wi-Fi qui, après achat d’une license « Liebherr Internet Connecté », opère un suivi clever des conditions de conservation des produits. Cette offre embarque également plusieurs niveaux d’alerte par e-mail, SMS et/ou téléphone.
Toutefois, le wifi présente une limite, prévient Adrien Content : « En cas de coupure internet, le système ne fonctionne plus. » Les équipementiers semblent avoir trouvé la parade. Le capteur de Koovea repose sur trois éléments : un capteur autonome (TAG) qui mesure la température et communique en Bluetooth, un hub qui collecte les données des capteurs via la carte SIM, et une plateforme web et mobile pour le suivi en temps réel. Les données transitent via un routeur cellulaire multi-opérateur, fonctionnant sur les réseaux 2 G, 3 G, 4 G pour limiter le risque de coupure. « Quel que soit l’endroit où se trouve l’appareil, il va trouver un opérateur », assure Luis Dos Santos, responsable commercial chez AJPL Pharma.au-delà du respect de la chaîne du froid, tout l’enjeu consiste à limiter les sollicitations. « Le pharmacien se connecte rarement à notre portail, sauf s’il souhaite analyser un comportement ou des fluctuations. Nous configurons les alertes par rapport aux seuils températures définis. Mais s’il y a de légères fluctuations correspondant aux ouvertures et fermetures de portPharmacists are urged to prioritize temperature checks upon receiving health products to ensure compliance with safety regulations and avoid potential penalties. François-Xavier Crozet emphasizes that neglecting this crucial step can lead to professional reprimands or even legal consequences in the event of a serious incident. While tools like laser and infrared thermometers are available, their accuracy is often questioned, with some experts like Luis dos Santos advising against their use due to inconsistent results. To mitigate risks, pharmacists are encouraged to receive temperature-sensitive products during business hours and educate patients on the limitations of insulated transport bags, which may create a false sense of security.By selecting reliable suppliers and adhering to best practices, pharmacists can better safeguard the integrity of health products.In a bid to enhance support for healthcare professionals navigating technology, companies like Koovea are revolutionizing the way pharmacists access and utilize digital tools. François Xavier emphasizes the importance of dedicated assistance, stating that their approach includes complete training, responsive customer service, and a subscription model that ensures ongoing updates and annual recalibration of sensors. This commitment to user-pleasant solutions contrasts sharply with customary, complex systems that lack adequate follow-up, positioning Koovea as a leader in providing tailored support for the healthcare sector.
Engaging Discussion between Time.news Editor and François-Xavier Crozet, Director of Rubex Pharma
Editor: Good afternoon, François! Recently, there’s been significant scrutiny over pharmacies’ vaccine storage practices, especially with health authorities emphasizing the need for strict temperature control.Could you elaborate on why maintaining a temperature of 2°C to 8°C is so crucial for vaccine integrity?
François-Xavier Crozet: Good afternoon! Absolutely. Maintaining this temperature range is critical because vaccines contain biologically active components that can degrade or lose efficacy if not stored correctly. Household refrigerators are often prone to temperature fluctuations, which can lead to discrepancies of up to 10°C. Such variations can compromise the stability of the vaccines, potentially endangering patient safety and public health.
Editor: That’s concerning,especially with the expanded list of vaccines pharmacists can administer now,including those for influenza,hepatitis,and meningitis. Yet, despite these risks, you’ve mentioned a lack of regulatory mandates. Can you explain what’s currently hindering pharmacies from investing in professional-grade storage?
François-Xavier Crozet: Yes, the situation is indeed problematic. While the National council of Pharmacists provides guidelines, they lack enforcement measures that truly compel pharmacies to upgrade their storage solutions. This has resulted in many pharmacies relying on inadequate refrigeration methods. Given the increasing demand for vaccines, it is indeed crucial that we have stricter regulations to ensure that pharmacies adopt state-of-the-art cold storage systems.
Editor: you mentioned the recommendation of having at least two refrigerated units. Why is this dual set-up so essential?
François-Xavier Crozet: The dual set-up is recommended for a couple of reasons. First, it allows for better management of stock; a glass-door unit can be used for frequently accessed vaccines, while another unit can be dedicated to longer-term storage or serve as a backup. Second, in the event of a power outage—something we increasingly need to plan for with climate change impacts—having an uninterruptible power supply attached to these units can safeguard against the loss of vital vaccine integrity.
Editor: It sounds like technology also plays a key role in ensuring proper storage. Can you explain how advancements, like temperature loggers, improve compliance and monitoring?
François-Xavier Crozet: Certainly! Temperature loggers are essential tools in modern pharmacy practices. They provide continuous monitoring of storage conditions, alerting pharmacists via e-mail or SMS if temperatures go out of range. This automation reduces the burden on pharmacists, allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities rather than manual checks. Advanced models are even equipped with multiple measurement points to give a extensive overview of the storage conditions.
Editor: It’s clear that both technological advancements and regulatory reform are needed to enhance vaccine storage practices. What do you believe is the next step for pharmacies to ensure they meet health authority guidelines effectively?
François-Xavier Crozet: The next step must involve collaboration between pharmacy owners, regulatory bodies, and technology providers. We need a concerted push for regulations that mandate professional-grade equipment and continuous monitoring systems. Simultaneously, technology firms must continue innovating to provide user-friendly solutions that help pharmacies manage their responsibilities efficiently and effectively. Only through these combined efforts can we enhance public health outcomes and ensure vaccine safety.
editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, François. It’s essential that the conversation around vaccine storage continues,especially as demand grows. Your expertise sheds light on significant considerations that need urgent attention.
François-Xavier Crozet: Thank you! It’s vital we keep this dialog open to protect patient safety and public health.