Above all other types of cargo, shipping pharmaceuticals require the most care regarding the logistics chain. Pharmaceuticals run the gamut from medications for mild pain relief to drugs that keep people alive, such as insulin. However, as powerful as pharmaceuticals are, they are also very delicate and require specific storage temperatures to remain effective.
This is why precautions like thermal blanket insulation foil can be crucial in preserving the condition of pharmaceuticals. Contrary to the name, protective mechanisms like thermal blanket insulation foil do more than protect against heat.
Temperature Fluctuations
This is the primary function. Even though pharmaceuticals are usually kept in climate-controlled environments for shipping, thermal blanket insulation ensures that they retain their ideal temperature even if the unexpected happens. Breakdowns in climate control or even unexpected delays once a shipment is on the tarmac or out of the warehouse can mean medications remain viable.
Sunlight Protection
Another important role passive thermal protection confers is preventing pharmaceuticals from ultraviolet exposure. While not all medications will react badly to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, some do. Passive thermal protection regulates temperature and ensures that no ultraviolet radiation interacts with vulnerable drugs and impairs their efficacy.
Humidity Control
Another factor that can have a huge impact on the efficacy of the medication is its relative humidity. Some medicines must remain bone dry to maintain effectiveness, and the introduction of moisture can negatively impact their effectiveness. Passive protection like thermal blanket insulation foil is an effective shield against humidity.
Even if a shipment is in a humid environment such as the Southern United States and unexpectedly must wait in a rail yard or warehouse with no climate control, thermal protection keeps the temperature stable. It prevents moisture from seeping into the shipment.
It’s crucial when shipping pharmaceuticals not to make assumptions about climate control always working flawlessly. The unexpected can happen, and thermal blanket insulation foil is an effective layer of added protection to ensure that medications arrive just as effectively as when they left.
