Mail-Order Meds: A Double-Edged Sword in the Heatwave
Packages of Medications Delivered through Mail Could Potentially Lose Potency During Summer's Heat Spikes
While mail-order prescriptions can help slash costs and boost adherence to medication schedules, they're stirring up a storm of concern among healthcare providers. The reason? Potential heat-related degradation during transit.
Mike Ren, a primary care physician at Baylor College of Medicine, had a chat with The New York Times and shared his concerns. He highlighted that heat exposure coupled with pressure changes in aerosolized cans can wreak havoc, triggering a "double whammy" of issues. Aerosolized drugs, designed for quick action, can become questionable due to heat-induced changes in propellants, potentially affecting their performance.
Liquid medications, however, are a different story. Precisely mixed to boast exact ratios of ingredients, they're vulnerable to evaporation when exposed to heat, reducing their effectiveness. The Times mentioned that some mail-order pharmacists guarantee their medications are safe to use as long as there are no visual signs of degradation. Yet, research has shown that some medications can sustain damage due to heat without any visible clues.
Mail-order pharmacies assure customers that their packages boast weather-resistant packaging and precautions are taken while shipping temperature-sensitive meds. The United States Pharmacopeia suggests keeping oral meds in a temperature range between 68 and 77 degrees (20 to 25 Celsius).
A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, however, found that mail-order medication packages spent more than 68% of their time outside this recommended temperature range. During the sweltering heatwave of 2022, UPS drivers, as per The New York Times, reported temperatures reaching as high as 150 degrees (66 Celsius) in their vehicles.
The unusual heatwave sweeping over the United States this year, with the west coast and Texas recording temperatures surpassing 100 degrees (38 Celsius) for extended periods, has set several global heat records. This relentless heat, coupled with the growing trend of mail-order medications, raises significant questions about their safety and efficacy as sweltering temperatures become the new norm.
Overall:
Heat exposure can significantly impact the effectiveness and safety of both aerosolized and liquid medications. Here's how:
- Reduced Efficacy: Excessive heat can degrade active ingredients, making medications less effective, such as Zepbound and Mounjaro.[1][2]
- Safety Concerns: Heat can also compromise the safety of medications by causing chemical changes that may lead to unpredictable reactions or the formation of harmful compounds.
For aerosolized medications, high temperatures may affect propellants, potentially altering their performance. Liquid medications, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to heat degradation and require careful handling to avoid exposure to temperatures that could compromise their efficacy or safety.
To protect medications during shipping, mail-order pharmacies use specialized packaging techniques, including insulated containers, ice packs or coolants, and temperature trackers.[1][2][4] If a medication has been exposed to excessive heat, it's important to inspect it for signs of degradation and consult with a pharmacist or the manufacturer if unsure about its safety for use.
- The heat exposure during transit of mail-order medications can lead to reduced efficacy, as high temperatures can degrade active ingredients in drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro.
- In addition, heat can pose safety concerns for medications, potentially causing chemical changes that may result in unpredictable reactions or the formation of harmful compounds.
- For aerosolized medications, heat-induced changes in propellants can affect their performance.
- Liquid medications, having exact ratios of ingredients, are more vulnerable to heat degradation and require careful handling to maintain their effectiveness and safety. Mail-order pharmacies meet this challenge by employing specialized packaging methods such as insulated containers, ice packs, or coolants, and temperature trackers.
