Number of temperature-sensitive drugs 'set to increase'

A growing number of biopharmaceutical products have cold chain requirements, according to IMARC Group's latest report.

The global market for temperature-sensitive healthcare products is likely to increase over the coming years, a new report has claimed.

IMARC Group's latest publication, entitled 'Global Healthcare Cold Chain Logistics Market Report & Forecast: 2012-2017', provides an overview of the market over the next few years.

According to the report, increasing demand for this type of solution is expected to match the growth of biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products.

Products with cold chain requirements currently account for 21 per cent of the global healthcare products market, but this is expected to increase to around 23 per cent by 2017.

An IMARC analyst stated: "The rising demand for biologics, vaccines and clinical trial materials means a potential business worth hundreds of billions of dollars, but it also means a huge need for reliable and efficient cold chain logistic services that can protect quality and efficacy of temperature-sensitive healthcare products."

The report also notes that there is now increased regulation surrounding the transport of these products, with the US Food and Drug Administration, European Commission and other regulators issuing guidelines on the subject.