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Healthcare services rely on a steady supply of pharmaceuticals to care for patients, and transporting these goods can be a complex logistical process. Temperature plays a key part in the viability of many pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines and insulin, and this makes refrigerated vans an essential form of transport.
However, accurate and reliable refrigerated vans need high specification equipment, multiple temperature compartments, emergency standby facilities and comprehensive maintenance services, which can come at a high price. Could refrigerated van hire be the solution to cold chain transport problems?
The pharmaceutical cold chain
Healthcare companies and logistics providers need to transport pharmaceuticals between wholesalers, retail pharmacies, distribution depots and medical facilities. This cargo can be time and temperature sensitive, very expensive, and it often subject to a complex regulatory environment.
The complexity and costs of cold chain transport puts pressure on supply chain processes. Healthcare companies are cost conscious, particularly within the NHS as budget cuts continue to hit. Organisations need to achieve a high level of reliability and performance without breaking the bank, and this can make it difficult to acquire the best vehicles for the job.
Vaccine programs need refrigerated vehicles too
Vaccines play an essential role in caring for the UK’s public health, preventing numerous communicable diseases and generating significant healthcare savings every year. However, they also add another layer of complexity to pharmaceutical transport and distribution.
Flu vaccines are offered every year to many immunocompromised individuals and healthcare workers, in order to stem the spread of disease and its consequences for the general population.
Recent outbreaks of swine flu, bird flu and even ebola have further increased the awareness of the importance of timely vaccination programs in response to healthcare emergencies.
In both cases, thousands of vaccines need to be distributed nationwide, at top speed and in strictly controlled conditions. This will create a high demand for refrigerated transport, but only for a matter of weeks while deliveries of vaccines are transported to clinics and hospitals. It therefore doesn’t always make financial sense to acquire or expand a refrigerated vehicle fleet on a permanent basis.
What’s more, there are big risks associated with inadequate transportation. Vaccines cost the NHS around £200 million a year, and the loss of only one dose of a common childhood vaccine a month in each general practice would cost an estimated £4 million a year. Temperature changes can also significantly reduce the effectiveness of a vaccine, potentially putting individuals in danger. For these reasons, it’s essential that new and top quality refrigerated vans are used for distribution.
Accessing affordable refrigerated vehicles
In order to control costs and meet challenging industry targets, an increasing number of healthcare authorities and pharmaceutical companies are outsourcing transportation to cold chain logistics firms.
These companies are directing all their attention to perfecting refrigerated distribution services, but still face their own unique industry challenges. Contracts are often awarded individually, leaving firms struggling to predict what fleet capacity they might need in future.
We’re embracing the outsourcing approach too, building a reputation as a leading refrigerated fleet leasing operator. We have a wide range of refrigerated vans for hire, and a choice of leasing agreements to suit every need. Contract hire is the perfect solution to long term fleet requirements, while flexible hire options can cater for shorter fixed term contracts such as vaccination programs.
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