Refrigerated Medicine Storage for Clinics: What to Do When a Cold-Chain Delivery Arrives

What does cold chain mean for a clinic

A cold chain maintains the required temperature conditions for refrigerated medicines during storage and transport, following the product’s requirements. [1]

When a refrigerated shipment arrives, review the available transport temperature data as part of acceptance checks. [1]

What should you check when the parcel arrives

Inspect the packaging and seals for damage or tampering, check the labels, and confirm that the delivery matches the order. [1]

Record the receipt date, product name, quantity, batch number and expiry date in the clinic’s inventory system. [1]

If packaging or seals are compromised, keep the goods separate for investigation before releasing them into usable stock. [1]

Do all botulinum toxin products need the same storage conditions

Use the label supplied with the actual product, following locally approved conditions or the applicable manufacturer guidance. [1]

The table illustrates differences between US prescribing information for products stocked by the shop; compare these examples with the Thai label on the delivery before assigning storage. [1][3][4]

Botulinum toxin injections must be administered by a licensed doctor in a licensed clinic. [5]

How should a clinic manage its medicine refrigerator

Use storage equipment that maintains the manufacturer’s required temperature range, with calibrated monitoring devices and preferably continuous temperature recording. [2]

Have a contingency plan for power cuts or equipment failure, and make sure responsible staff know the response procedures. [2]

Apply FEFO to identical products: use the batch with the earliest expiry date first. [1]

How long can medicines be stored, and what if temperatures go out of range

For unopened vials, follow the printed expiry date together with labelled storage conditions; the delivery date does not start a new shelf life. [3][4]

Prepared medicines have separate storage requirements, so check the product-specific instructions for that state. [3][4]

If temperatures exceed acceptable limits, quarantine the affected stock under its labelled storage conditions, assess the impact on the product, and notify the supplier or marketing authorization holder before deciding whether it can be used. [1][2]