Sanofi Inaugurates New Cold Storage Unit
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Sanofi Inaugurates New Cold Storage Unit

Photo by:   National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
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By Rodrigo Brugada | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Tue, 07/06/2021 - 15:59

Sanofi Mexico recently inaugurated a new cold storage unit to handle medicines and vaccines that need to be kept at low temperatures. This new cold storage unit, “Maya,” is located at its distribution center in Ocoyoacac, State of Mexico. The purpose of this new unit is to double the storage capacity of vaccines and to cover the storage of general and high-specialty medicines to guarantee their optimal conservation.

Enrique Schleske, Supply Chain Director at Sanofi Mexico, said that “previously, the company did not have the necessary infrastructure to carry out these processes, so it had to contract external services with suppliers. The incorporation of the “Maya” chamber to the management of vaccine production represents a challenge for the company. It implies constant training, qualification and continuous monitoring of the chamber, and delivery of safe and effective products to distributors.”

Fernando Sampaio, Country Lead of Sanofi Mexico and General Director of the Vaccines Unit Sanofi Pasteur Mexico, said that the new chamber has cutting-edge technology in refrigeration systems and control and follows high safety standards. He added that the new facility comprises a main unit and a backup one, which reduces electricity consumption and guarantees functionality. The project was carried out with patients and clients in mind, making use of technological innovation to have the capacity to double the storage of vaccines and general and high-specialty medicines.

The project represented an investment of over €$2 million (US$2.37 million) and was completed in March 2020, reported T21. COFEPRIS approved it in August of the same year and it received the first approval for the administration of medicines and vaccines in November. The cold chamber consists of three adjoining buildings with independent operating, pressure, temperature and humidity systems. In total, it has 550 pallet storage positions for operational flexibility and to optimize maintenance costs. The aim is to ensure that medicines or vaccines are always in the optimum range for their conservation.

Sanofi’s industrial complex in Ocoyoacac will enable the annual production of more than 200 million units of medicines and vaccines. Eighty-five percent of this production is for domestic consumption.

The technology of the Maya chamber allows for synergy between storage and distribution services. The project integrates best practices and high-level expertise to manage the cold chain, reported Milenio. In addition, it aims to guarantee quality with health, safety and environmental impact management system, complying with international standards. It also aims to promote benchmark practices in storage and comply with the authorities’ quality controls and audits.

 

 

Photo by:   National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

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