Smart packaging increases vaccine transportation safety

In the next few years, it is predicted the global demand for vaccines will be around 15bn doses. Traditional cold chain infrastructure cannot sustain both the existing need for temperature-controlled logistics and the surge caused by the requirement for COVID-19 vaccines. To provide a sustainable solution, Sofrigam and Logmore joined forces to create smart temperature-controlled packaging.

Since the first batch of the soughtafter vaccines were released in late December 2020, their transportation and distribution have caused significant challenges. The complex requirements of these highly temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products have resulted in inevitable product loss (temperature-controlled vaccines cause regular waste), as authorities from the United States to India reported unexpectedly high numbers of spoiled vaccines. They weren’t alone, as public and private organisations worldwide have also been struggling with lost doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The partnership between Sofrigam and Logmore is proving instrumental in saving these vaccines from spoiling. The new smart temperature-controlled packaging – qualified by Sofrigam – integrates Logmore data loggers, which are built around QR code tags. QR code technology was invented in Japan and has been used for contactless payment for years.

In terms of the packaging, the QR code tags measure temperature, humidity, light, shocks and tilt. Each new measurement refreshes the QR code to embed the data. Users simply scan the QR code with any smart device to upload collected data to the Logmore web-based cloud service. This service also ensures users can access all the vital information they require within seconds.

A SMART SOLUTION FOR SAFER TRANSPORTATION

Global cold chain infrastructure could hardly support the volume of vaccine deployment at the end of 2020. This is despite substantial investments by organisations throughout the cold chain and logistics spectrum in meeting this critical moment for present and future vaccine deployment. In addition to distributing vaccines, these organisations have to sustain the usual cold chain demand from transporting food, chemicals and other pharmaceutical products.

“The volume is unprecedented. To achieve global herd immunity, the world needs at least 15bn doses of vaccines. That would be in an ideal world without any vaccines wasted at all. This makes it absolutely crucial to minimise the amount of waste,” says Erik Lehikoinen, Logmore’s global SVP of sales, who has a background in container logistics.

The Logmore monitoring technology integrated into the Sofrigam insulated shipping packaging solution enables the temperature of the payload to be analysed without exposing the inside of the packaging to the outside environment. This is ideal for vaccine deliveries.

Laurence Labranque, Sofrigam’s VP, who has extensive experience in last-mile cold chain needs, adds: “Partnering with Logmore is the logical continuation of our promise to customers and the end-user. Our mission is to offer stakeholders within the medical and healthcare sector peace of mind regarding vaccine efficacy while meeting global demands for COVID-19 vaccination initiatives.”

Did you know?

80% of the logistics costs borne by pharma companies for shipping products under the cold chain are hidden costs. 20% of pharma products are damaged during transport through a rupture in the cold chain. €35bn in medicines are lost annually due to temperature excursions during transport. Source: www.sofrigam.com

DHL CHOOSES LOGMORE

To secure more than 7 mn doses of COVID-19 vaccines, DHL has partnered with Logmore. The agreement commenced in March 2021 and involves the monitoring of vaccine temperatures in Europe. Over the coming months, the partnership will expand in volume to cover all continents and will continue throughout the European summer as Logmore expects to secure more DHL shipments of COVID-19 vaccines.

As a shipment data platform, Logmore integrates seamlessly with the DHL SmartSensor service. The new service package cares for shipment conditions every step of the way and provides fleet management teams access to analytics. At the same time, endusers and employees are able to verify the correct handling of the shipment at package-level, throughout its journey.

The lessons learned from recent struggles in distributing vaccines as well as the investments made in cold chain infrastructure will carry the global logistics industry far into the future. The newly-built systems and processes allow for different freight types and volumes. Notable changes to existing infrastructure include the modification of commercial passenger jets to include more freight storage.

To achieve global herd immunity, the world needs at least 15bn doses of vaccines

SPECIALISTS COMBINE THEIR EXPERTISE

Shipment condition monitoring, such as temperature monitoring of pharmaceuticals and food, is crucial for global logistics and to prevent regular and significant medication wastage.

With its headquarters in Europe and the United States, Sofrigam is a veteran business specialising in the development of qualified pharmaceutical transport offerings. Its operations are centred on building solutions to minimise medical waste.

Logmore is a logistics data company based in Helsinki, Finland, which provides condition and quality monitoring solutions fit for all supply chains, through the use of small, cost-efficient QR data loggers and a cloud service. The loggers are fitted with an external temperature probe, which has been proven efficient for monitoring vaccines shipped in deep-freeze temperatures.

The Finnish company’s QR data logging service has been adopted by the quality management teams of more than 150 enterprises worldwide. Unlike competing bluetooth or USB solutions, this service does not require any specific technology from recipients and can be used in airborne supply chains, making it a truly end-to-end solution.

“This is one more step towards returning to a normal daily life that we all are waiting for. Our shared goal is to secure as many doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be delivered safely to their final destinations. With the DHL partnership and other upcoming ones, we get to secure maybe even hundreds of shipments of doses,” highlights Niko Polvinen, Logmore CEO. •

Logmore – www.logmore.com Sofrigam – www.sofrigam.com