JP7581027B2 - How to transport medicines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for transporting pharmaceuticals.

Conventionally, pharmaceuticals are transported by land, sea, air, etc., in a state where they are stored in a thermal insulation device that can control the internal temperature, such as a reefer container. As a technology for transporting cargo with the internal temperature controlled, for example, a transportation method such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a transportation method for transporting cargo using a thermally insulated container.

JP 2019-43651 A

Regarding the distribution of pharmaceuticals, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Guidelines for Pharmaceuticals in December 2018. During long-distance transportation, the heat-retention devices that contain pharmaceuticals may not be able to secure power due to changes in the means of transportation, etc. In such cases, it becomes difficult to properly manage the temperature of the pharmaceuticals, and it may not be possible to transport pharmaceuticals in accordance with the GDP guidelines.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a transportation method that properly controls the temperature of pharmaceuticals during long-term transportation.

The present invention is a method for transporting medicines using a first heat-retaining device that is driven by an external power source and that manages the internal temperature within a first temperature range, and a second heat-retaining device that is driven by a secondary battery and that manages the internal temperature within a second temperature range, and includes a step of housing the second heat-retaining device within the first heat-retaining device and transporting the first heat-retaining device with the medicine housed within the second heat-retaining device, and the first temperature range is set between a value that is a predetermined range higher than the lower limit value of the second temperature range and the upper limit value of the second temperature range.

Furthermore, when multiple second heat retention devices are housed within the first heat retention device, at least one of the second heat retention devices is capable of managing the internal temperature within a third temperature range, and the third temperature range is a temperature range lower than the second temperature range.

The present invention allows for proper temperature control of pharmaceuticals during long-term transportation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first heat retention device and a second heat retention device according to the present embodiment are transported by land. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first heat retention device and a second heat retention device according to the present embodiment are transported by sea. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a first heat retention device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a second heat retention device according to the present embodiment. 2 is a flowchart showing the process flow of a pharmaceutical transportation method according to the present embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the state of temperature management inside a first heat retaining device and a second heat retaining device according to the present embodiment. 7 is a table showing the results of a demonstration test using the first heat retention device and the second heat retention device shown in FIG. 6 .

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The pharmaceutical transportation method according to this embodiment aims to appropriately manage the temperature of pharmaceuticals during long-term transportation by using a first heat retention device 1 and a second heat retention device 2.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which a first heat retention device 1 and a second heat retention device 2 according to this embodiment are transported by land.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment includes a step of housing a second heat retention device 2 inside a first heat retention device 1, and transporting the first heat retention device 1 by land transport means 3 with the pharmaceutical contained in the second heat retention device 2.

The first heat retention device 1 is powered by an external power source and maintains the internal temperature within a first temperature range. The first heat retention device 1 is, for example, a reefer container.

The second heat retention device 2 is powered by a secondary cell such as a battery, and manages the internal temperature within a second temperature range. The second heat retention device 2 is, for example, a Cold Roll Box (CRB). The above-mentioned first temperature range and second temperature range will be described later.

The land transport means 3 is, for example, a transport vehicle such as a trailer, and transports the first heat retention device 1 by land with the medicine contained in the second heat retention device 2. The land transport means 3 also has a power supply unit and is capable of supplying power to the first heat retention device 1.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 according to this embodiment are transported by sea.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment includes a step of housing a second heat retention device 2 inside a first heat retention device 1, and transporting the first heat retention device 1 by marine transport means 4 with the pharmaceutical contained in the second heat retention device 2.

The marine transport means 4 is, for example, a transport vessel such as a cargo ship, and transports the first heat retention device 1 by sea with the medicine contained in the second heat retention device 2. The marine transport means 4 also has a power supply unit and is capable of supplying power to the first heat retention device 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first heat retention device 1 according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3 , the first heat retention device 1 is, for example, a reefer container, and includes a storage unit 11 , a heat retention mechanism 12 , and a power supply unit 13 .

The accommodation section 11 defines a space for accommodating the second heat retention device 2. The accommodation section 11 is composed of, for example, a door, an outer casing, an inner casing, and the like.
The heat retention mechanism 12 is a mechanism for maintaining the temperature of the second heat retention device 2 housed in the housing section 11. The heat retention mechanism 12 is composed of, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a condensation fan, an evaporator fan, a control box, and the like.

The power supply unit 13 receives power from the land transportation means 3 and drives the heat retention mechanism 12 using the power supplied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the second heat retention device 2 according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4 , the second heat retention device 2 is, for example, a CRB, and includes a storage section 21 , a heat retention mechanism 22 , a secondary battery 23 , and a temperature data communication section 24 .

The storage section 21 defines a space for storing medicines. The storage section 21 is composed of, for example, a door, a casing, casters, etc.

The heat retention mechanism 22 is a mechanism for keeping warm the medicine contained in the container 21. The heat retention mechanism 22 is composed of, for example, a refrigerant, an evaporation pipe, an internal fan motor, a condenser fan motor, a condenser, a compressor, and the like.
The secondary battery 23 is formed of, for example, a rechargeable battery, and drives the heat retention mechanism 22 .

The temperature data communication unit 24 detects the temperature inside the storage unit 21 at regular intervals and records the detected temperature data. The temperature data communication unit 24 is also capable of wireless communication with an external device and transmits the recorded temperature data to the external device. For example, the temperature data communication unit 24 transmits the temperature data recorded during land transportation by the land transportation means 3 to the external device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the pharmaceutical transportation method according to this embodiment.
In step S<b>1 , the transportation method includes placing a second heat retention device 2 in a first heat retention device 1 , and placing a medicine in the second heat retention device 2 .

In step S2, the transportation method involves operating the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2, and transporting the medicines contained in the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 by land transportation means 3.

In step S3, the transportation method involves stopping the operation of the first heat retention device 1 and operating the second heat retention device 2, and transferring the medicines stored in the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 from the land transport means 3 to the sea transport means 4.

In step S4, the transportation method involves transporting the medicines contained in the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 by sea using sea transport means 4 while the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 are in operation.

In step S5, the transportation method involves stopping the operation of the first heat retention device 1 and operating the second heat retention device 2, and transferring the medicines stored in the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 from the marine transport means 4 to the land transport means 3.

In step S6, the transportation method involves transporting the medicines contained in the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 by land transportation means 3 while the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2 are in operation.

In this way, the pharmaceutical transportation method according to this embodiment transports pharmaceuticals using the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention device 2, so that pharmaceuticals can be transported in accordance with the GDP guidelines even if the operation of the first heat retention device 1 stops due to a change in transportation means (steps S3 and S5 above).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of management of the internal temperatures of the first heat retaining device 1 and the second heat retaining devices 2a and 2b according to this embodiment.
In the example shown in Fig. 6, the first heat retaining device 1 manages the temperature in a first temperature range, the second heat retaining device 2b manages the temperature in a second temperature range (20°C range), and the second heat retaining device 2a manages the temperature in a third temperature range (5°C range).

As described above, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment includes housing the second heat retention devices 2a and 2b in the first heat retention device 1, and transporting the first heat retention device 1 by land transport means 3 with the pharmaceutical contained in the second heat retention devices 2a and 2b.

Here, while switching from land transport means 3 to sea transport means 4, the power supply to the first heat retention device 1 is stopped.

On the other hand, the second heat retention device 2b is powered by a secondary battery 23 during switching from the land transportation means 3 to the marine transportation means 4 and during transportation by the marine transportation means 4, and manages the internal temperature within a second temperature range.
Similarly, the second heat retention device 2a is powered by a secondary battery 23 while switching from the land transportation means 3 to the sea transportation means 4 and while being transported by the sea transportation means 4, and manages the internal temperature within a third temperature range.

In this way, in the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment, even if the second heat retention devices 2a, 2b do not have an external power source, the second heat retention devices 2a, 2b operate using the secondary battery 23, and therefore, even if the power supply to the first heat retention device 1 is stopped for a short period of time, the temperature inside the second heat retention devices 2a, 2b can be appropriately controlled. Therefore, according to the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment, the temperature of pharmaceuticals can be appropriately controlled during long-term transport, and pharmaceuticals can be transported in accordance with the GDP guidelines.

In addition, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment contains the second heat retention device 2 in the first heat retention device 1, and the pharmaceutical is contained in the second heat retention device 2. This makes it possible to control the temperature (space temperature) inside the second heat retention device 2 in which the pharmaceutical is contained, and therefore makes it possible to appropriately control the temperature of the pharmaceutical during long-term transport without being affected by the outside air temperature.

Here, the first temperature range is set between a value (17°C) that is a predetermined range higher than the lower limit of the second temperature range and the upper limit of the second temperature range.

Specifically, when the second temperature range is set to 15°C to 25°C, the first temperature range is set between a value (17°C) that is a predetermined range (2°C) higher than the lower limit value (15°C) of the second temperature range (15°C to 25°C) and the upper limit value (25°C) of the second temperature range (15°C to 25°C). In other words, when the second temperature range is set to 15°C to 25°C, the first temperature range is set to 17°C to 25°C.

In this way, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment sets the first temperature range between a temperature higher than the lower limit of the second temperature range and the upper limit of the second temperature range, and because the first temperature range and the second temperature range are relatively close to each other, the power consumption of the second heat retention device 2b can be reduced.

In addition, when multiple second heat retention devices 2a, 2b are housed in the first heat retention device 1, at least one second heat retention device 2a is powered by a secondary battery 23 while being transported by the marine transport means 4, and the internal temperature can be managed within a third temperature range.

The third temperature range is a temperature range lower than the second temperature range. Specifically, if the second temperature range is set to 15°C to 25°C, the third temperature range is set to, for example, 2°C to 8°C.

As described above, the second heat retention device 2a, 2b is, for example, a Cold Roll Box (CRB), and generally, a CRB can consume less power when cooling the internal temperature than when heating the internal temperature.

Therefore, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment can reduce the power consumption of the second heat retention device 2a by setting the third temperature range (2°C to 8°C: 5°C range) to a lower temperature range than the second temperature range (15°C to 25°C).

In addition, the pharmaceutical transport method according to this embodiment may transport pharmaceuticals using a different temperature range instead of the specific examples of the first temperature range (17°C to 25°C), the second temperature range (15°C to 25°C), and the third temperature range (2°C to 8°C) described above.

For example, the pharmaceutical transportation method according to the present embodiment may transport pharmaceuticals with the first temperature range being 2° C. to 8° C. (5° C. range), the second temperature range being 2° C. to 8° C. (5° C. range ), and the third temperature range being −15° C. to −25° C. (−20° C. range). As a result, the pharmaceutical transportation method according to the present embodiment can appropriately manage pharmaceuticals that require storage at low temperatures during long-term transportation.

Figure 7 is a table showing the results of a demonstration test using the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention devices 2a and 2b shown in Figure 6. In the demonstration test, the temperature management state of medicines was tested using the first heat retention device 1 and the second heat retention devices 2a and 2b described above.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the second heat-retaining devices 2a and 2b were housed in the first heat-retaining device 1, and the temperature inside the second heat-retaining devices 2a and 2b was measured for 48 hours with medicines housed in each of the second heat-retaining devices 2a and 2b.

The second heat retention device 2a aims to manage the internal temperature in the refrigerated zone (2°C to 8°C), while the second heat retention device 2b aims to manage the internal temperature in the normal temperature zone (15°C to 25°C).

Thermocouples were installed at a total of 27 locations in the storage section 21 of the second heat retaining devices 2a and 2b to measure the temperature inside the second heat retaining devices 2. The storage sections 21 of the second heat retaining devices 2a and 2b used in the demonstration experiment had a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape.

In the test results shown in FIG. 7, the room temperature zone (15°C to 25°C) corresponds to the second temperature range of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the refrigerated zone (2°C to 8°C) corresponds to the third temperature range of the above-mentioned embodiment.

As shown in the test results in Figure 7, when the internal temperature (outside air temperature) of the first heat retention device 1 was 20°C and 25°C, it was within the target range in both the refrigerated zone (2°C to 8°C) and the room temperature zone (15°C to 25°C).

Furthermore, when the outside air temperature (first temperature range) was 15° C., the temperature inside the second heat retention device 2b was within the target range in the normal temperature zone (15° C. to 25° C.). This is thought to be because the outside air temperature was 15° C. and the second heat retention device 2b needed to heat the inside temperature instead of cooling it, which resulted in increased power consumption of the secondary battery, causing the secondary battery to run out of power within 48 hours.

Therefore, measurements were also taken only in the normal temperature range (15°C to 25°C) when the outside temperature was 17°C. In this case, the temperature inside the second heat retention device 2b was within the target range in the normal temperature range (15°C to 25°C).

As shown in Figure 7, the results of the demonstration experiment show that the transportation method according to this embodiment can appropriately manage the internal temperature in the second temperature range (15°C to 25°C) and the third temperature range (2°C to 8°C) when the first temperature range is 17°C to 25°C.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the effects described in this embodiment are merely a list of the most favorable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in this embodiment.

1 First heat retention device 2 Second heat retention device 3 Land transportation means 4 Sea transportation means

Claims (2)

A method for transporting medicines using a first heat-retaining device that is driven by an external power source and that controls an internal temperature within a first temperature range, and a second heat-retaining device that is driven by a secondary battery and that controls an internal temperature within a second temperature range, comprising:
The method includes a step of housing the second heat-keeping device in the first heat-keeping device, and transporting the first heat-keeping device in a state in which the medicine is housed in the second heat-keeping device;
The first temperature range is set between a value higher than the lower limit of the second temperature range by a predetermined range and an upper limit of the second temperature range , and the predetermined range is 0°C to 2°C.
How medicines are transported. When a plurality of the second heat retaining devices are housed in the first heat retaining device, at least one of the second heat retaining devices is capable of managing an internal temperature within a third temperature range;
The third temperature range is a temperature range lower than the second temperature range.
2. A method for delivering a pharmaceutical product according to claim 1.

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