Pharmaceutical cold chain and novel technological tools: a systematic review

Abstract

The pharmaceutical cold chain (PCC) deals with specific logistics operational require-ments related to product quality, safety, and regulations that make the supply chain management process complex. Also, the pharma industry market growth increases the awareness, in terms of good's temperature monitoring and controlling, of the storage and transportation processes across the network. This study provides a novel approach to PCC, based on a systematic literature review with an extensive analysis of the main aspects that influence the supply chain processes. The major findings highlight the recently worldwide research progress on the PCC subjects related, the challenges involving the PCC and its associated technological advances based on three attributes (product characteristics, vehicle capabilities, and logistics service provider’s expertise) and, finally, the impact of technologies and its potential utilization to im-prove the decision-making process on integrated cold chain operations.