The Important Role Data Loggers Play in Pharmaceutical Processing Data loggers seem to be everywhere these days, and for very sound reasons. The wide range of features and capabilities provided by these generally small electronic devices have proven highly beneficial to a number of industries, including the aerospace, automotive, HVAC, and transportation sectors. To accommodate the widely varying tasks that data loggers are called upon to carry out, they are available for a broad range of applications; many of these devices are designed to detect humidity and/or temperature, while others monitor other phenomena, such as vibrations, carbon dioxide levels, water pressure, and other parameters. Given the enormous design flexibility of these devices, it’s no surprise that data loggers have also found a home in the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, the use of data loggers in the pharmaceutical sector has boomed in recent years and has simplified compliance needs for this heavily regulated industry. With that in mind, let’s explore the various benefits that data loggers provide to pharmaceutical professionals worldwide. Traditional Pharmaceutical Monitoring In the pharmaceutical sector, proper handling of vaccines and other sensitive biological materials is essential. To a large extent, correct handling procedures involve keeping these materials within an acceptable temperature range—failure to do so can lead to catastrophic amounts of waste, as incorrectly stored materials will quickly become irreversibly tainted and unusable. Traditionally, this process involved using standard thermometers that were manually checked by a human operator at specified intervals. But the advent of high-quality data loggers offered expanded options and precision for persons responsible for monitoring vaccines and related materials. Real-Time Monitoring with Data Loggers One of the major advantages of using data loggers for temperature control is their capacity for real-time monitoring. These loggers can be configured to measure the temperature of a particular environment and then transmit this data to a central computer within the facility or even offsite, where it can be inspected by a human operator. What’s more, an advanced data logger will also be capable of sending an alert, usually via email or SMS message, to a responsible party in the event that the temperature deviates from a specified range; this allows a site manager to take action immediately if storage equipment suddenly fails or malfunctions. Anyone charged with storing vaccines is well aware that even temporary drops in temperature can damage the material—real-time monitoring can prevent this from happening. Without real-time monitoring, managers may not even notice a temporary glitch in the system, and spoilage could escape detection until it’s too late. Various Types of Data Available Traditionally, pharmaceutical monitoring entails tracking the temperature of freezers, autoclaves, lyophilizers, depyrogenation tunnels, and other units used to handle biological materials and the
devices that come into contact with them. In recent years, however, the industry has seized the additional features that data loggers can provide, which allow pharmaceutical professionals and manufacturers to capture a broad range of relevant information窶馬ot just temperature readings. These days, it has become common to record many types of data parameters associated with the manufacturing, storage, and distribution of pharmaceutical materials. This data can include pH levels, vibrations of equipment, and nearly anything else that may affect the production or composition of biological materials. Having a data record of exposure for all sensitive materials is not only helpful but mandatory in most cases by either federal or state regulations. Because data loggers make it possible to capture all of this information with minimal hassle and store it indefinitely, pharmaceutical companies can now retain potentially vital data that can be retrieved at any future date if necessary.