The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates the global vaccine wastage currently amounts to 50% for lyophilised and to 25% for liquid vaccines. Arguably one of the biggest contributors to this wastage is disruption in the cold chain supply (Pharmaceutical Technology 2-April-2012).

The definitions and standards that determine the hazard class or division associated with your commodity are found in 49 C.F.R. Part 173. There is a helpful table contained in 49 C.F.R. § 173.2 that provides the location of each hazard class definition in 49 C.F.R. Part 173. These standards are used to determine the classification of your commodity (e-CFR Data, 11-May-2012).

The FDA in its “Guidance for Industry Q1A(R2) Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products” recommends for Drug substances intended for storage in a refrigerator to be 5°C ± 3°C, which translates to 2°C – 8°C.

Recent projections from Decade of Vaccines Economics (DoVE) show that by achieving 90% coverage with vaccines for the five leading childhood diseases — including Hib, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles and pertussis — Nigeria could save more than 600,000 lives over the next ten years and add $17 billion to its economy (MarketWatch 12-April-2012).

Abbott Laboratories’ $9-billion arthritis drug Humira is set to take the crown as the world’s top-selling medicine this year (Chicago Tribune 11-April-2012).

FedEx Corp. announced that it signed an agreement to acquire the Polish courier company Opek Sp.z o.o. (Opek), the latest step in its strategy for growth in Europe (3PL News 05-April-2012).

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