Technical Evaluation of Thermal Containers for the Distribution of Thermolabile Medicines in the Chilean Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

The distribution process for thermolabile medicines requires special transportation conditions to maintain the necessary cold chain. Given the geography of Chile, the transportation times between and towards the different regions, usually located on extreme sides of the country, generate a logistical problem for pharmacies and drugstores. This work aims to evaluate an alternative type of container for thermolabile medicines transportation, to optimize the logistic process, lower costs, and increase the lifetime and capacity of the containers. An experimental model was made with the container to be evaluated where measurements were made in a controlled environment to identify its thermal stability. The results showed that the thermal container evaluated has high-level thermal stability and, regardless of its high cost compared to the standard thermal units. In the short term, the use of the container improves the unit acquisition costs, the thermal performance, and reduces the costs associated with the transport logistics operator and the drugstore.