CoolPac are specialists in cold chain packaging and temperature monitoring in Australia.
We deliver cold chain products and services the pharmaceutical and biomedical industry. CoolPac are experts in cold chain packaging and cold chain logistics. Using CoolPac's proprietary cold chain delivery system, we have developed pre-qualified shippers for temperature-controlled distribution of mediations and biological products worldwide.
Cold Chain Packaging
Temperature Monitoring
Temperature Mapping
GDP Regulations
ISPE GDP: Cold Chain Management: 6.2.5
The (facility temperature) monitoring system used for the critical environmental parameters should be qualified./p>TGA GWP: Section 8.2
Any new equipment used for the storage of cold chain medicines should be commissioned according to the manufacturer’s written procedure and the storage conditions validated before becoming operational.USP 1079
The recording of temperatures during the thermal mapping of a warehouse or cold room should be sufficient in time frame to capture workflow variation that may impact air flow and the resulting temperature fluctuation (i.e., a period of two weeks is recommended for data collection enabling the capture of two week/weekend workflow cycles).WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.9
Implement a maintenance program for all temperature-controlled rooms, cold rooms, freezer rooms, refrigerators and freezers: • Carry out regular planned preventive maintenance on all temperature controlling equipment. • Make arrangements to ensure that emergency maintenance is carried out within a time period that does not place TTSPPs at risk of damage. • Ensure that there is a contingency plan to move products stored in nonfunctioning equipment to a safe location before damage to the product occurs in the event that equipment cannot be repaired in a timely manner.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.3
Adequate records of repair, maintenance, and calibration activities for key equipment should be made and the results should be retained. Key equipment would include for example cold stores, monitored intruder alarm and access control systems, refrigerators, thermo hygrometers, or other temperature and humidity recording devices, air handling units and any equipment used in conjunction with the onward supply chain.SPE GPG: Packing, Labeling and Warehouse Facilities
Many commercial HVAC (BMS) control systems provide adequate control, data handling, and alarming capability. Such systems should be validated when used for recording critical parameters.PICS GDP: Section 3.4.1
Planned maintenance should be in place for key equipment vital to the functionality of the operation.PICS GDP: Section 3.4.1
Planned maintenance should be in place for key equipment vital to the functionality of the operation.WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.10.1
Calibration should demonstrate the accuracy of the unit across the entire temperature range over which the device is designed to be used.TGA GWP: Section 2.1
Temperatures in facilities where TSM are held should be monitored using suitable temperature recording devices and the results recorded and analysed so as to demonstrate the suitability of these areas for their purposes.USP 1079
Glossary Mean Kinetic Temperature (MKT): the single calculated temperature at which the total amount of degradation over a particular period is equal to the sum of the individual degradations that would occur at various temperatures.PICS GDP: Section 3.6.1
Wholesale distributors should identify what key equipment qualification and/or key process validation is necessary to ensure correct installation and operation. The scope and extent of such qualification and/or validation activities … should be determined using a documented risk assessment approachTGA GWP: Section 8.14
For each delivery, assessment of the delivery method and validated the temperature-controlled system to be used should consider the time required for delivery, weather conditions and any foreseeable exposure risks.TGA GWP: Section 8.7
The calibration and function of all temperature monitoring equipment, , including alarms and other associated equipment, should be checked on an annual basis.TGA GWP: Section 8.19
Cold chain medicines should be transported under conditions that have been validated or are monitored to ensure that the relevant temperature range is maintained during transport, according to the sponsor’s recommended conditions in regard to product stability …TGA GWP: Section 8.1
Refrigerated areas for the storage of cold chain medicines should be correctly set up and operate continuously.TGA GWP: Section 3.4
Personnel should be trained to perform assigned duties and functions at an acceptable level. – Training records should be kept and training should be repeated or reinforced at appropriate intervals. – Adequacy of training should be audited. – Approval for staff to perform assigned duties and functions should be recorded.”ISPE GDP: Cold Chain Management: 7.3
Portable packaging or shipping systems have a more demanding role than fixed systems. In addition to protecting the product from fluctuations in the external conditions, (in the same way as a fixed system) they also should retain both their integrity and the product conditions during transit.PICS GDP: Section 9.2.2
A procedure should also be in place for investigating and handling temperature excursionsHSA (Canada) Guidance Notes on GDP: Annex 1.1
There should be written procedures established to ensure that incoming cold chain products are delivered under the storage conditions in compliance with the instructions on the product label.WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.10.1
Single-use devices that are supplied with a manufacturer’s calibration certificate do not need to be re-calibrated.PICS GDP: Section 3.5.1
Before a computerised system is brought into use, it should be demonstrated, through appropriate validation or verification studies, that the system is capable of achieving the desired results accurately, consistently and reproducibly.EU GDP 2013: Section 2.4
A record of all training should be kept, and the effectiveness of training should be periodically assessed and documented.PICS GDP: Section 3.4.5
Adequate records of repair, maintenance, and calibration activities for key equipment should be made and the results should be retained. Key equipment would include for example – cold stores monitored intruder alarm and access control systems, refrigerators, thermo hygrometers, or other temperature and humidity recording devices, air handling units and any equipment used in conjunction with the onward supply chain.”TGA GWP: Section 8.4
Temperature monitoring equipment should be capable of alerting staff in the event that the defined temperature range has been compromised. There should be appropriate alert systems for any temperature deviation outside of the set range.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.2.3
All personnel involved in wholesale distribution activities should be trained on the requirements of GDP. They should have the appropriate competence and experience prior to commencing their tasks.TGA GWP: Section 8.3
Temperature monitoring equipment should be installed within facilities used to store cold chain medicines to enable air and/or product temperature as appropriate to be recorded. Such devices should be able to operate in the event of a mains power failure.WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.10.1
Calibrate devices against a certified, traceable reference standard at least once a year, unless otherwise justified.PICS GDP: Section 3.4.2
Equipment used to control or to monitor the environment where the medicinal products are stored should be calibrated at defined intervals based on a risk and reliability assessment.PICS GDP: Section 3.4.5
Adequate records of repair, maintenance and calibration activities for key equipment should be made and the results should be retained. Key equipment would include for example: – cold stores, monitored intruder alarm and access control systems, refrigerators, thermo hygrometers, or other temperature and humidity recording devices, air handling units and any equipment used in conjunction with the onward supply chain.”USP 1079
A new facility would require a validation incorporating an Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and a Performance Qualification (PQ) as defined in FDA’s CPG Sec 490.100 Process Validation Requirement for Drug Products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Subject to Pre-Market Approval, 2004.IATA Class 6 Packing Instructions 650
If dry ice is used, the packaging must be designed and constructed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas to prevent a build-up of pressure that could rupture the packagings.USP 1079
Facility Temperature Mapping—The following factors, which may contribute to temperature variability, should be considered during the process of temperature mapping storage locations: (1) size of the space; (2) location of HVAC equipment, space heaters, and air conditioners; (3) sun- facing walls; (4) low ceilings or roofs; (5) geographic location of the area being mapped; (6) airflow inside the storage location; (7) temperature variability outside the storage location; (8) workflow variation and movement of equipment (weekday vs. weekend); (9) loading or storage patterns of product; (10) equipment capabilities (e.g. defrost mode, cycle mode); and (11) SOPs.WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.10.3
Check functionality of temperature and humidity alarms at least once every six months at the designated set points.<
WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 3.9.2
Develop and maintain a contingency plan to protect TTSPPs in the event of power failure which places products at risk. Alternative emergency cooling systemsISPE GDP: Cold Chain Management: 6.2.5
The number and location of monitoring points may be supported by a risk assessment or mapping data. The rationale for selecting the number and location of the monitoring points should be recorded and approved by the Quality Unit.WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.7
Qualification may not be required for equipment which requires little or no site assembly or commissioning, such as vaccine refrigerators and freezers that have been independently tested and found suitable for the storage of TTSPPs. Independent testing must be carried out between the chosen set points and under the ambient temperature conditions to which the equipment will be exposed during operation.ISPE GDP: Cold Chain Management: 7.3.2
Polyurethane (PUR) is also a commonly used insulation material (at time of publication). PUR is usually molded, and considered to be more robust (not as brittle) than EPS. It has better insulation properties than EPS. PUR is usually selected where higher performance (R values of 7 to 8) and reusability are required.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.3
Appropriate alarm systems should be in place to provide alerts when there are excursions from pre-defined storage conditions. Alarm levels should be appropriately set and alarms should be regularly tested to ensure adequate functionality.ISPE GPG: Packing, Labeling and Warehouse Facilities
The duration of any mapping can vary; in general, it should, as a minimum, cover a representative period at the extremes of the external environmental conditions (e.g., coldest winter and hottest summer days).ISPE GPG: Packing, Labeling and Warehouse Facilities
“The purpose of temperature mapping is to identify the locations which are representative of the environmental extremes within the space, to assist in scientifically determining where the permanent area monitoring sensors should be placed.”WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.10.1
Calibrate devices against a certified, traceable reference standard at least once a year, unless otherwise justified.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.2.2
Temperature monitoring equipment should be located according to the results of the mapping exercise, ensuring that monitoring devices are positioned in the areas that experience the extremes of fluctuations.TGA GWP: Section 8.13
Validated temperature-control systems (e.g. thermal packaging, temperature-controlled containers, refrigerated vehicles) shall be used to ensure the integrity of the cold chain is maintained between wholesaler and customer.EU GDP 2013: Section 2.4
All personnel involved in wholesale distribution activities should be trained on the requirements of GDP. They should have the appropriate competence and experience prior to commencing their tasks.TGA GWP: Section 8.2
Any new equipment used for the storage of cold chain medicines should be commissioned according to the manufacturer’s written procedure and the storage conditions validated before becoming operational.ISPE GDP: Cold Chain Management: 6.2.5
The (facility temperature) monitoring system is usually independent from the control system; it can comprise min/max temperature thermometer, a simple chart recorder, with single or multiple sensors, a data-logging chart recorder, or a more sophisticated SCADA system.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.2.1
An initial temperature mapping exercise should be carried out on the storage area before use, under representative conditions.WHO GDP: Section 9.19
“Temperature mapping should show uniformity of the temperature across the storage facility. “WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 6.3
“Profile and qualify transport routes: • Use suitable methods, including published standards, weather data, laboratory tests and field tests to select suitable transport equipment and shipping containers.”EU GDP 2013: Section 2.4
Personnel should receive initial and continuing training relevant to their role, based on written procedures and in accordance with a written training program.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.3.1
Before a computerised system is brought into use, it should be demonstrated, through appropriate validation or verification studies, that the system is capable of achieving the desired results accurately, consistently and reproducibly.
WHO TRS 961 Annex 9: Section 4.7
Qualify new temperature-controlled storage areas and new refrigeration equipment before it becomes operationalEU GDP 2013: Section 3.3.1
Wholesale distributors should identify what key equipment qualification and/or key process validation is necessary to ensure correct installation and operation. The scope and extent of such qualification and/or validation activities (such as storage, pick and pack processes) should be determined using a documented risk assessment approach.WHO TRS 961 Annex 9
Section 4.7 Carry out additional qualification exercises whenever modifications are made to the storage area that may increase loading or affect air circulation, or when changes are made to the refrigeration equipment, such as a change in the setpoint. Consider the need for requalification whenever temperature and/or humidity monitoring shows unexplained variability that is greater than normal.TGA GWP: Section 2.2
Facilities need to be provided that allow for temperature monitoring and recording in case of power failures.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.3.1
Equipment and processes should be respectively qualified and/or validated before commencing use and after any significant changes, e.g. repair or maintenance.ISPE GPG: Packing,Labeling and Warehouse Facilities
For a large area with a number of heating/cooling units, the area may be divided into zones, considering the internal and external sources of heat with the mapping layout revised to have more sensors in one “typical” zone, and reduced where the conditions are similar, e.g., more sensors around the periphery of the warehouse, and near the doors, with less internally.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.3
Equipment used to control or to monitor the environment where the medicinal products are stored should be calibrated at defined intervals based on a risk and reliability assessment.EU GDP 2013: Section 3.3
Equipment repair, maintenance and calibration operations should be carried out in such a way that the integrity of the medicinal products is not compromised.Latest Articles
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