Quality of cold storage drugs transportation and delivery to Thai hospitals.

BACKGROUND

In Thailand there is no regulation and standard guideline to control the quality of drug transportation, including cold storage drugs.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the condition of cold storage drugs transportation and delivery to general public hospitals, community hospitals and private hospitals.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This is a cross-sectional survey research. There were 301 questionnaires returned from 720 questionnaires sent (41.8% response rate)

RESULTS

The serious problems of cold storage drugs on delivery were (1) Cold storage drugs (2 degrees C - 8 degrees C) were delivered to the hospitals without controlled temperature boxes, was found in private, public and community hospitals at the rate of 46.7%, 48.3% and 72.9% respectively. (2) Cold storage drugs (-20 "C), i.e., polio vaccine came to the hospitals with a temperature higher than 8C or ice melting in the box, was found in private, public and community hospitals at the rate of 22.9%, 12.7% and 35.0% respectively.

CONCLUSION

There are differences in quality of cold storage drug transportation and delivery among types of hospitals. It is highly recommended that Thai FDA should develop a standard and implement the control system for logistics management of cold storage drugs.