Have you ever taken a vitamin injection, used a topical cream for arthritis pain or gargled with magic mouthwash after a dental procedure? If you answered yes, then you’re one of many people who have experienced using a compounding pharmaceutical. 

Scientifically speaking, compounding is the creation of a pharmaceutical drug by a licensed pharmacist to meet the unique needs of an individual patient and their personalized health journey. These medications can be created from commercial drug products, bulk ingredients or a combination of the two. Although compounding pharmaceuticals are not FDA-approved, there are regulatory standards in place, including temperature control and monitoring, to ensure their safety. 

As the compound pharmaceutical market continues to experience exponential growth, (just think of the recent influx of pharma commercials you’ve seen on TV) the need for effective cold storage solutions has proven to be a major investment for compounding pharmacies. As this industry grows, so does the need for walk in coolers and freezers.

Meeting the cold storage requirements of compounding pharmacies

Compounding pharmacies produce a variety of products, including edibles, injectables and other temperature-sensitive medications. These products often require specific cold storage conditions to maintain efficacy and safety. For example, medications like vitamin A blends or therapies enhanced with glutathione must be refrigerated or frozen to specific temperatures. 

Temporary cold storage solutions offer a way to meet safety requirements without the upfront investment or inflexibility of permanent infrastructure. That’s where Polar Leasing can help, providing easy solutions to pharmacies’ challenges. Our temporary cold storage solutions include walk in freezers and coolers, designed to maintain your pharmaceuticals at the optimal temperature. These units are available in three different sizes: 8’ x 10’, 8’ x 20’, and 8’ x 20’ pallet-accessible units, ensuring we can get you up and running quickly. 

The role and benefits of pharma cold storage

Temporary cold storage units, often referred to as “chambers,” are designed to maintain products at exact temperatures, typically -20°C for freezing or +5°C for refrigeration. These units enable compounding pharmacies to:

• Size operations: As demand increases, pharmacies can easily add cold storage units based on their needs. No need for expensive infrastructure. 
• Meet regulations: By using temperature controlled storage, pharmacies can meet regulatory requirements for product safety and quality.
• Remain flexible: Temporary storage solutions can be rented, allowing pharmacies to manage costs and adapt to changing needs.

The benefits of temporary cold storage go beyond temperature control. For compounding pharmacies, these units can significantly reduce start-up barriers. New pharmacies can rent cold storage units immediately and hit the ground running. Additionally, temporary cold storage can be relocated as needed, supporting businesses in multiple locations. Lastly, when compounding pharmacies have access to walk in rental coolers or freezers, they can improve their bottom line, not to mention, focus their attention on other important areas like customer service. 

Why the compounding pharmaceutical industry is not slowing down 

Driven by increasing consumer interest, personalized healthcare is just taking off and will continue to do so as new pharmaceuticals emerge. You’re probably aware of diabetes drugs that also perform as weight-management therapies or specialized treatments for conditions like fatigue. In other words, compounding pharmacies must cater to a diverse audience, each utilizing temporary cold storage to streamline operations and maintain product integrity.

For example, many pharmacies ship large volumes of injectables and other medications that require gel packs. Gel packs are frozen or cooled to regulate shipping conditions, ensuring medications remain stable during transit. This process mimics the practices of larger pharmaceutical firms but is tailored to the specific needs of compounding pharmacies.

Looking ahead: what’s next for compounding pharmacies

As people continue to invest in personal healthcare and new pharmaceutical companies emerge, compounding pharmacies will continue to gain traction, and the role of walk in cooler and freezer rentals will become even more important. This flexible and efficient solution enables these pharmacies to deliver personalized medications while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality. With the growing focus on individualized healthcare, temporary cold storage is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity.

By partnering with a reliable cold storage provider like Polar Leasing, compounding pharmacies can confidently navigate the challenges of this dynamic industry, ensuring their products meet the needs of a diverse and expanding customer base. 

Contact us today to discuss your storage needs!