The Medpak VI°C solution, a high performance reusable thermal packaging for shipping temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments

Photo credit: FedEX Healthcare

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world's largest express transportation company, on 10 June 2019, has launched an industry-leading temperature-controlled cold chain shipping solution in the Asia Pacific. The innovative Medpak VIoC solution provides superior temperature integrity, greater convenience and higher cost efficiencies to healthcare customers shipping temperature-sensitive shipments. In the Asia Pacific, Medpak VI°C is available to customers in Japan, Korea and Singapore.

The Medpak VIoC solution is a high performance reusable thermal packaging, which comes with energy efficient Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP) and Phase Change Material (PCM) validated to ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) 7D standards. The packaging provides 96-hours temperature stability in case of unforeseen contingencies, a critical aspect for temperature-sensitive pharma shipments.

The solution comes fitted with SenseAware®, a sensor-based device, which monitors the shipment location and conditions of the contents and will indicate any deviations from its ideal environments such as temperature, humidity, light exposure and shock events.

This solution is available to customers on a one-way rental basis. FedEx delivers the pre-conditioned packaging to the customer and transports the loaded box via its global network, which is monitored by an experienced customer service team to track shipment progress. The solution offers full custodial control from pick-up all the way to delivery of the shipment, including the collection and return of the empty packaging from the overseas receiver.

Total healthcare spending is expected to surge to US$2.27 trillion by 2026 and this has driven up the demand for healthcare logistics. One of the key challenges faced by healthcare customers is the delivery of temperature-sensitive shipments. Every year the global pharmaceutical industry suffers a loss of more than US$15 billion worth of products due to temperature variations during transit.

“The sensitive nature of many healthcare products requires strictly regulated temperature conditions. At FedEx Express, we are upping our game by bringing unprecedented levels of visibility and control to the supply chain through innovative means, and at the same time ensuring safety and regulatory compliance,” said Karen Reddington, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express. “The availability of the Medpak VI°C solution in the Asia Pacific creates more possibilities for our healthcare customers with its ability to deliver in a cost-effective and consistent manner. Together with FedEx strong global network, this solution will provide customers greater convenience and peace of mind for shipping sensitive packages.”

(Source: Bio Spectrum Asia)