Pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and clinics across Quebec face a compliance challenge that standard freight carriers simply aren't equipped to handle: cold-chain integrity.
From insulin and biologics to vaccines and compounded medications, temperature-sensitive products can be rendered ineffective or dangerous by even brief exposure to temperatures outside their specified range.
Quebec Regulatory Context
Health Canada's Good Distribution Practices (GDP) require that pharmaceutical distributors maintain documentation of temperature control throughout the supply chain. This means every leg of the journey — not just storage — must be monitored and recorded.
What Compliant Cold-Chain Freight Requires
- Temperature-monitored vehicles with continuous logging
- Chain-of-custody documentation for each shipment
- Trained drivers who understand pharmaceutical handling protocols
- Contingency procedures for temperature excursions
What to Ask Your Freight Provider
Before entrusting pharmaceutical cargo to any carrier, ask:
- Can you provide temperature logs for every shipment?
- What is your procedure if the vehicle's refrigeration fails?
- Are your drivers trained in pharmaceutical handling?
- Can you provide chain-of-custody documentation?
At AQ Logistics, our pharma freight service is built around these requirements. Learn more about our pharmaceutical transport solutions.