Cold-Chain Storage Critical To Pharma's Future

Date: Jun-28-2012As temperature sensitive drugs become more prevalent, pharmaceutical companies are increasing reliance, and spending, on cold-chain storage, according to a report by business intelligence experts GBI Research.

The new report* states that pharmaceutical firms around the world are investing more and more in this storage solution in response to the increase in treatments such as vaccines, biologics, specialty pharmaceuticals and personalized medicines that must be maintained at low temperatures.

Blockbuster vaccines such as Prevnar 13 and Gardasil (with 2011 sales of $3.6 billion and $1.2 billion respectively) require storage in cold temperatures, as do top selling monoclonal antibodies Avastin, Enbrel, Rituxan, Herceptin and Remicade.

But this trend is not limited to branded drugs; GBI Research also expects generic products to drive cold-chain storage implementation, as prescriptions have more than doubled since 2000. The demand for generic medications in emerging markets such as India, China and Brazil will correspondingly increase the need for low temperature handling and transportation facilities. As a result, it is estimated that the value of generic drug sales that require cold-chain storage will exceed $120 billion by 2018.

With lower production costs, skilled workforces and favorable regulatory environments, pharmaceutical companies are outsourcing manufacturing operations to developing Asian countries. GBI Research predicts a sizeable boost in spending on cold-chain storage resources for this region, from $1.1 billion in 2011, to $2.5 billion in 2018 - the greatest percentage increase of any region.

In comparison, the US is predicted to escalate investment in this area from $2.6 billion to $3.5 billion, whereas Europe will increase expenditure more modestly from $2 billion to $2.2 billion.

View drug information on Avastin; Enbrel; Gardasil.
Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.