The services of temperature monitoring and temperature mapping are important in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry to ensure the production, testing and storing of pharmaceutical products are maintained in optimum conditions. The pharmaceutical supply chain consists of companies, departments or individuals who need to meet global requirements during storage, handling and transporting temperature sensitive products therefore these entities must opt for temperature monitoring services that comply with health and safety regulations. Temperature monitoring services ensures temperature sensitive products such as blood or vaccines are maintained below the required temperature level from production stage, handling and transportation, storage and until the product is in use. It is important for the products to be under strict conditions with temperature monitoring and temperature mapping otherwise the products may become hazardous or ineffective, possibly causing harm to the patients or healthcare staff. The most common range of products under temperature monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry is between 2 and 8 °C however the temperature range can vary as the required temperature depends on the individual product being handled, stored or transported. Temperature monitoring services is especially important to adhere to when products are shipped to hotter climates where transport links may not be as established or may be politically stable, i.e. war torn countries. Temperature monitoring services can include cold chain management where the temperature and environment is constantly monitored, analysed, measured, controlled, documented and validated. Before setting up the temperature monitoring and temperature mapping, the requirements of the cold chain or temperature monitoring requirements must be thoroughly understood and the different stages from production, handling, transportation and storage must be mapped as the people at these different stages need to be clearly communicated, follow strict delivery times and schedules to ensure smooth transition from one stage to another, ensuring storage and environmental conditions are observed at all times. Alarmed temperature monitoring systems require continuous 24 hours, 365 days a year where response and contingency procedures should be clearly defined and arranged.
