Temperature recording system for drugs improves efficiency
Packaging incorporates RFID tag to provide automatic tracking and temperature details
Parexel, a US-based global biopharmaceutical services organisation, has introduced a temperature recording system for the transportation of study drugs as part of its expanded Clinical Logistics Services.
Parexel has developed the system with Swedish paper and packaging firm Stora Enso, and MediXine, which specialises in communication e-services for healthcare.
The packaging container for study drugs incorporates a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) label for temperature recording and dedicated compartment for a mobile phone, providing automatic tracking and remote, high speed transmission of the complete temperature record. The RFID tag records study drug temperature at pre-defined times, while a mobile phone application and web-based portal allow secure, controlled data transmission and access to temperature data in real-time between a central hub and an investigative site.
Site staff read out the RFID tag information and transmit data to the central hub, which reviews the data and transmits a confirmation back to the site in real-time. If the temperature was in range during transportation, the study drug can be immediately released to use within Randomisation and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) technologies. The packaging container can be used for monitoring drugs both in transit and at the site.
Parexel says no hardware or software is required at investigational sites and little training is needed. Designed to provide temperature recordings at flexible intervals between 5–35ºC, the system can track more than 8,000 data points and operate for nearly 60 days.
