Monitoring Drug–Storage Temperatures at Local Pharmacies

Prof. DeenDayal B. Reddy; Dr. Prapthi P. Bathini; Dr. Dilip Mathai; (Late) Mr. Sivaiah Renangi

Volume : IX, Issue : VIII, August - 2019

Monitoring Drug–Storage Temperatures at Local Pharmacies

Prof. Deendayal B. Reddy, Dr. Prapthi P. Bathini, Dr. Dilip Mathai, Late Mr. Sivaiah Renangi

Abstract :

Verifying the drug storage–room temperatures at local pharmacies in Hyderabad has been as elusive as verifying the existence of aYeti in the Himalayas! That is, up until now. Research investigators, at Apollo Institute of Medical Science & Research (AIMSR) in Hyderabad, conducted a randomised study, in the summer of 2018, to monitor the drug storage room–temperatures at 108 pharmacies throughout the city of Hyderabad, South India. Expectedly, the mean room–temperatures at the pharmacies were recorded to be 36.25°C/97.25°F: With a P value of < 0.05, drugs were exposed way over the accepted standard of 30°C/86°F. Exposure to excessive heat, other studies have shown could damage the drugs, thus diminish their potency in patients who take them. The authors recommend that drug controllers ought to spot–check room–temperatures and post excursions on DCA’s Website; incentivise stores to install AC units; coordinate additional investigations to verify the fate and degradation of medicines when exposed to extreme heat—while in storage or transport. Concluding, the authors reiterate that if compliance with guidelines can be improved; the current attitude towards temperature monitoring be contravened; public safety promoted; by heeding our recommendations then, it would be remiss not to incorporate them, lest we may be found guilty of inaction. After all, we are not discussing any ordinary subject; but, how we ought to safeguard the stability of stored medicines and the wellbeing of those who depend on them.