Transporting pharmaceutical products presents some of the most technical and highly regulated challenges in the entire logistics supply chain. Maintaining the thermal stability of medicines isn’t just a compliance requirement; it’s an essential condition for preserving their efficacy, safety, and quality.
In this demanding environment, MELFORM positions itself as a technological partner offering reliable active refrigerated solutions, specifically designed to address the critical needs of the medical sector.
Thermosensitive medicines and materials, including vaccines, parenteral drugs, and blood derivatives, must be transported under continuously monitored and controlled temperature conditions. However, in practice, maintaining the cold chain faces numerous complexities:
- Temperature excursions during loading/unloading or unconditioned stops.
- Uncertain delivery times, with routes often taking longer than anticipated.
- Multi-leg transport or urban environments with frequent container openings.
- Mandatory data logging and equipment validation, in compliance with current regulations.
Under these conditions, an insulated container alone isn’t enough. An
active temperature control solution is required, one that can guarantee consistent performance even without onboard power.
The sector is primarily governed by two key regulatory references:
- The European Union’s Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines establish the proper distribution of medicines, mandating the use of validated transport systems, traceability, and documented temperature control.
- The EN 12571 standard defines the performance requirements for isothermal containers intended for professional transport, including test conditions, insulation effectiveness, and mechanical resistance.
MELFORM’s
KOALA line is engineered to effectively meet the controlled-temperature transport demands of the pharmaceutical sector. These are active
refrigerated containers, featuring an
integrated refrigeration unit and
electronic temperature control, allowing them to maintain a constant setpoint even under critical environmental conditions.
Key technical specifications include:
- Precise temperature regulation, configurable from -25 °C to +40 °C based on the specific pharmaceutical product.
- High-density polyurethane insulation for superior thermal efficiency and energy savings.
- Continuous electrical power supply during transport, storage, or operational stops.
- Compatibility with data logging systems to ensure traceability in compliance with GDP guidelines.
For applications demanding independence from vehicle power – such as last-mile delivery, home healthcare services, or routes with frequent stops – MELFORM has developed the
KOALA GREEN line, equipped with an
integrated battery.
This solution allows for:
- Maintaining the set temperature in complete autonomy.
- Eliminating the risk of thermal discontinuity during transshipment phases.
- Operation even on non-refrigerated vehicles or those with intermittent power.
Active refrigeration with an integrated battery offers a
tangible operational advantage, translating into greater flexibility and security in the transport of critical products.
MELFORM goes beyond simply supplying containers; we engineer solutions.
With consolidated engineering expertise and a range of active refrigerated models adaptable to complex logistics scenarios, MELFORM supports operators, wholesalers, hospitals, and healthcare companies throughout the entire transport cycle, ensuring continuity, compliance, and reliability.
