CITY PHARMA FIRMS GET A ‘COOL DOLLY’

At a time when the pharmaceutical industry has taken the centrestage in the battle against

Covid-19, most drugs and vaccines transported within and outside the country by air need an unbroken cold chain, the sector in Hyderabad, one of the hubs of the pharma industry, is all set to receive a shot in the arm with the introduction of a ‘cool dolly’ at the Shamshabad airport this week.

Among other measures, thermal blankets were being used to maintain temperatures of pharma products and perishable goods so far.

The cool dolly is a mobile unit to transfer cargo comprising pharmaceuticals and perishable goods from warehouses to the aircraft by maintaining the temperature as required. The facility is available at the Mumbai airport and the Shamshabad airport will be the second in the country to have one.

Sources told Deccan Chronicle that nearly 70 per cent of the cargo from the Shamshabad airport comprises pharma products while the remaining is seasonal perishable goods. “There are several vaccines which are safe only if there is an unbroken cold chain. If temperatures exceed the limit, the vaccine loses its effect and there is a high risk of spread of harmful diseases. While there are a few mechanisms in place till now, the cool dolly system is the need of the hour,” they said. It comprises a steel trailer, an aluminium insulated container and a chlorine-free cooling system.Having an electrical backup, it comes with a diesel engine and can handle up to

6,500 kgs. “Many vaccines need to be transported between 2°C and 8°C. Pharma companies have their own set of requirements for different vaccines,” sources said.

“The extreme tarmac conditions at airports and change in temperature during transportation often damages the consignment,” said the manager at a pharmaceutical company. He said that the cool dollies, which are in place at airports across the world, ensures the consignment is in good condition and extends the shelf life.