It’s no secret that drug prices have skyrocketed over the past several decades. Legislation and executive orders have been enacted to help address this issue, so Medicare now has the power to negotiate drug prices with some pharmaceutical companies, while the FDA has developed several standards overseeing medication safety. But as is often the case, loopholes and shortcomings exist in such policies, and they allow mishaps in medication management to occur. Such is the case when it comes to mail-order medication transport to consumers. As it turns out, extreme temperature effects on mail-order medicines can cause all sorts of problems. And in some cases, result in medical complications and poor patient outcomes. Given rising temperature globally, this is becoming a progressive concern.
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The shortcomings that are allowing undesirable temperature effects on mail-order medicines stem from flawed policy. Federal policies oversee the packaging, storage, and transport of medications among manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies. But what they don’t cover is the mail-order medicine transport from any of these entities and patients. As the mail-order transport of drugs has increased, climate-related problems have become a rising worry. This goes beyond melted syringes and gummy capsules. It involves negative effects on the drugs themselves to the point they no longer work as intended. Unfortunately, remedies to the situation don’t look to be implemented any time soon. As such, innovative business solutions are needed in an effort to protect those who these medicines are supposed to help.
Temperature Effects on Mail-Order Medicines
When it comes to medications, the FDA and manufacturers have set ranges for their transportation. The standard tends to be between 68- and 77-degrees Fahrenheit. But according to some studies, temperatures routinely can reach 150 degrees, especially during this summer’s extreme temperatures. One research study that embedded data-tracking thermometers in medication vessels show some concerning findings. Over two-thirds of the time, medications fall outside this standard range. While these temperature effects on mail-order medicines are not the same across the board, it remains a problem. This is particularly true for sensitive hormonal drugs, liquids, and aerosols that are more vulnerable than others. Unless standards for mail-order medicine transport are better developed and enforced, negative health outcomes will rise.
There have been other research studies performed by national organizations as well regarding the temperature effects on mail-order medicines. For example, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy conducted their own investigation. In their findings, over 90% of mail-order medicine transport journeys exceeded approved temperature ranges. Likewise, a quarter of these journeys reached temperature in excess of 104 degrees. The problem when such extreme temperatures are reached involves integrity of the drugs. Enzymes and proteins can break down when such high temperatures are reached. Liquids like insulin and epinephrine can evaporate and become more concentrated. The bottom line is that results in less effective medications that undermine quality patient care. And at this point, the ability to quantify these impacts have not been possible.
Loopholes and Barriers
As mentioned, the FDA regulates medication transport when it comes to interstate and commercial entities. But when it involves mail-order medicine transport to patients, this falls under the domain of states. And depending on the state in question, some are more resistant than others when it comes to implementing transportation standards. Even some states, such as Louisiana, which have attempted to impose such legislation have faced major hurdles. For one, creating a set of standards that are reasonable and enforceable are not easy for many states. At the same time, pharmaceutical-related lobbyists strongly oppose such standards. Claiming such moves will raise drug costs and result in micromanagement, they invest heavily against such changes.
Of course, on the other side are patients who are on the suffering end of these temperature effects on mail-order medicines. Though legislators and policymakers advocate on their behalf, others appear to have louder voices. Specifically, pharmacy benefit managers routinely argue against state-level standards for mail-order medicine transport. These managers serve as middlepersons between drug companies, insurers, and pharmacies. And their job is to cut costs of medication management among other things. They argue that mail-order medicine transport is already adequately addressed by pharmacies and manufacturers. They also believe regulations will further drive up costs related to not only transport but packaging. Thus far, pharmacy benefit managers are winning the battle, much to the dismay of patients. Given that such managers serve over 275 million Americans, this demonstrates the magnitude of the problem.
A Call for Business Solutions
When policymakers fail to provide effective solutions, it falls on businesses’ shoulders to be bold. In fact, in true entrepreneurial spirit, startups routinely seek out innovative ideas to address specific needs. Understanding this, the need for a solution related to mail-order medicine transport certainly exists. It’s unlikely to state legislations will suddenly overcome intense lobbyist efforts to devise an effective plan. Such government oversight is rarely effective while business solutions often are. Identifying a strategy to prevent negative temperature effects on mail-order medicines sounds like a tremendous business opportunity. And doing so in a cost-effective manner that’s appealing to pharmacy benefit managers is one approach certain to get attention. Such a solution would not only overcome state-level barriers but also address the problem efficiently.
Other approaches have already failed thus far. Many of the major mail-order medicine transport companies have resisted change. They state they already take precautions to ensure medicines arrive safely and unharmed to consumers. CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum RX are among such corporations that are uninterested in tackling this problem. They similarly are also less than enthusiastic about state-level laws and regulations with which they would need to comply. Patients, however, need safeguards in place to better ensure the treatments they receive are effective ones. Until the undesirable temperature effects on mail-order medicine is eliminated, such safeguards won’t exist.
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