While many medications are shelf-stable, some need to be kept in a pharmacy refrigerator to preserve their potency and physical composition. Refrigeration requires specific procedures to protect the medication, and improper handling could jeopardize the entire stock. Here’s a closer look at the most essential tips for storing sensitive products. 

4 Tips for Handling Refrigerated Medicines

1. Maintain a Cold Chain

The cold chain refers to the series of actions taken to ensure the integrity of refrigerated medicines during storage, transportation, and distribution. To maintain a cold chain, it's important to keep the pharmacy refrigerator at the right temperature and avoid temperature fluctuations. Make sure to use a thermometer that is calibrated and accurate.

2. Keep a Chart

Keeping a chart allows you to monitor the temperature of the pharmacy refrigerator and quickly identify any issues. The chart should include the date, time, and temperature of the refrigerator. 

You can use a paper chart or a digital one, whichever works best for you. Make sure to keep the chart in a visible location and update it regularly.

3. Develop an Emergency Plan

In case of a power outage or other emergency, it's crucial to have a plan in place for handling refrigerated medicines. Your emergency plan should include steps for monitoring the temperature of the pharmacy refrigerator, transferring the medicines to another location if necessary, and notifying patients if there is a delay in their treatment. Make sure all staff members are aware of the emergency plan and know what to do in case of an emergency.

4. Find the Right Temperature Balance

While it's important to keep the pharmacy refrigerator at the right temperature, it's also important to find the right balance. If the temperature is too cold, it can damage the medicines, while if it's too warm, it can reduce their effectiveness. 

Make sure to store the medicines in the right location in the refrigerator (usually the middle shelf), and avoid overcrowding the refrigerator. Keep the refrigerator clean and free of any expired or unused medicines.

If you need a new pharmacy refrigerator, reach out to Midwest Medical Systems in Dayton, OH. This family-owned company has been supplying quality laboratory equipment for over 30 years. They have clients throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky and successfully service over 500 pharmacies. Their clinical freezers and refrigerators come from top-of-the-line manufacturers and are made to last. Call (937) 424-0241 to place an order and visit their website for additional information on their products.