Navigating The Complexities Of Insulin's Storage & Supply Chain

For millions of people with diabetes, insulin is more than just a medication—it is essential to daily life. This life-saving hormone plays a crucial role in managing blood glucose levels, and its availability and effectiveness are vital for those who rely on it to survive. In India alone, close to 74 million people are diabetic, with a growing number requiring insulin therapy. Yet, while the demand is rising, insulin’s journey from production to patient involves a delicate supply chain, requiring precise temperature management. Any misstep can impact the lives of patients who depend on its consistent potency.

Understanding the complexities of the insulin supply chain involves an appreciation of the challenges at each step and the importance of maintaining strict temperature controls throughout.

Transporting Insulin and Challenges in the Supply Chain

Manufacturing: The journey of insulin begins at pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities where it is produced under strict guidelines to ensure potency.

Storage at Distribution Centres: Once manufactured, insulin is moved to distribution centres, which are equipped with advanced refrigeration systems to maintain the 2°-8°C temperature range necessary to preserve insulin’s efficacy. Temperature monitoring devices are utilised to ensure that the cold chain remains unbroken until it is ready for further transport.

Temperature-Controlled Transport: Insulin is then transported to its final destinations—pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities—via specialised insulated containers designed to maintain the required temperature. 

Real-Time Monitoring During Transit: To maintain quality, temperature data loggers are used to continuously track conditions throughout the journey. This allows for real-time monitoring, so any deviation from the ideal temperature range can be immediately identified, preventing insulin from being compromised.

The Last Mile - Delivery to End Users: The final leg of insulin’s journey is often the most vulnerable, as deliveries to individual patients or local healthcare facilities may lack adequate temperature control. Many a times insulin is sold to customers with icepacks which don’t maintain the correct temperature. Patients receiving insulin in rural areas or extreme climates can face additional challenges in ensuring that insulin remains within the safe temperature range.

Insulin Storage at Consumer End: The Need for Reliable Solutions

Once insulin reaches patients, the responsibility of storage shifts to them. For insulin-dependent patients, maintaining storage at the recommended temperature of 2° to 8°C is vital. 

However, many patients resort to unsuitable storage methods:

• Household Refrigerators: Many patients store insulin in standard home refrigerators. However, frequent door openings and resulting fluctuations in temperature risk insulin’s potency.

• Ice Packs: Ice packs are often used during travel, but they may cause insulin to freeze, reducing its effectiveness.

• Alternative Methods: In rural areas, some rely on methods like clay pots, cooling jars, or wet cloth wraps to keep insulin cool.

These methods, however, don’t reliably maintain the precise temperature range insulin requires.

Consumers out of ignorance have even been seen to store insulin at ambient room temperature or in purses and bags. 

Without consistent cooling at precise temperatures, insulin can lose its maximum potency and effectiveness. This hampers diabetes management and over time it can lead to an increase in the insulin dosage.

Tips for Proper Insulin Storage for Insulin Users:

For diabetic patients with insulin dependency, a few guiding principles to ensure its effectiveness:

Maintain the Ideal Temperature: Opened vials of insulin are good at room temperature for 28 days, while unopened vials must be stored between 2°-8°C for maximum effectiveness. This temperature is especially essential to maintain during travelling where temperature fluctuations are difficult to manage.

Avoid Sunlight and Heat Exposure: Always store insulin away from direct sunlight and high temperatures, as these can degrade the insulin quickly.

Consider using dedicated Insulin Storage Solutions:  A specialised device, like Godrej InsuliCool is designed for consistent cooling within the ideal temperature range. These devices are built specifically for insulin, eliminating the fluctuations common in household fridges and are also a great portable solution for travelling. They also display the internal temperature at all times so you can check its performance. As a thumb rule, before buying any storage device for insulin, check the temperature range it promises to maintain.

The Road Ahead

As demand for insulin increases globally, the importance of an efficient supply chain cannot be overstated. Improving temperature monitoring during bulk transport and at retail counters, providing appropriate home storage solutions and travel-friendly mobile storage solutions which maintain the right temperature, are all essential steps in ensuring this life-saving medication remains effective and accessible. 

A combination of supply chain vigilance and patient education is required to create a sustainable ecosystem for insulin delivery. 

Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan

Guest Author Product Group Head Healthcare Appliances at Godrej Enterprises Group, Appliances division