GMP Temperature Mapping

Temperature mapping of cold storage areas

There's increased emphasis by regulators on compliance with GMP requirements for controlled temperature storage requirements. PharmOut has the equipment and experienced professionals to help you achieve compliance in this area.

Why do temperature mapping?

Clause 3.19 of the PIC/S GMP guide states:

 "Storage areas should be designed or adapted to ensure good storage conditions. In particular, they should be clean and dry and maintained within acceptable temperature limits. Where special storage conditions are required (e.g. temperature, humidity) these should be provided, checked and monitored."

PIC/S doesn't offer much advice on what this means in practice. Luckily, there are industry guidance documents which provide more information. The most useful is the UK Guidance on Wholesale Distribution Practice, which states:

 "Large commercial refrigerators and walk-in cold rooms should be monitored with an electronic temperature-recording device that measures load temperature in one or more locations, depending on the size of the unit. Portable data-loggers that can be downloaded onto a computer may be used instead of a fixed device. Records should be checked daily. Internal air temperature distribution should be mapped on installation in the empty and full state and annually thereafter under conditions of normal use. Products should not be stored in areas shown by temperature mapping to present a risk (e.g. in the airflow from the refrigeration unit). Condensate from chillers should not be collected inside the unit.

All warehouses should be temperature mapped to determine the temperature distribution under extremes of external temperature. Mapping should be repeated every two to three years and after any significant modification to the premises, stock layout, or heating system.

While this guidance is not strictly enforceable in many parts of the world, including Australia, it contains useful information about what regulators might expect when inspecting temperature controlled storage areas.

Temperature Mapping vs Calibration

Temperature controlled storage areas in GMP facilities are usually continuously monitored by temperature probes. These are routinely calibrated, which might suggest that this all that is needed to meet regulatory requirements.

But temperature mapping is very different from calibration/routine monitoring. One of the key differences is the number of points the temperature is measured at in the temperature controlled area.

A temperature mapping exercise is expected to collect the following information:

• The impact of interventions (door openings / power failures, etc.)
• Identification of hot and cold spota
• Variation of temperature at a single point
• Temperature variation across the area
• Length of time of any temperature excursions

To record all this information effectively, each temperature mapping exercise should be governed by a protocol detailing:

• Selection of testing dates, with consideration to seasonal effects on the temperature controlled area
• Number of probes to be used and justifications
• Map of probe locations and justifications, including potential hot and cold spots
• Duration of the exercise
• What constitutes "normal use" and therefore levels of stock in the area that are to be used
• Calibration requirements (pre and post)
• Acceptable number of probe failures
• Acceptable limits for temperature excursions (which may be product dependent).
• Types of data to be generated
• Reporting requirements
• Consideration to acceptance criteria – not just within specified range, but variability across chamber and at each static point.

How to cost effectively meet your compliance obligations

Temperature mapping can be a costly exercise. With multiple probe locations required it can be expensive to purchase and maintain the necessary equipment.

PharmOut can provide all the necessary equipment and calibration data for your temperature mapping exercise, so that you don't have to buy, maintain and know how to use it.

A temperature mapping exercise comprises four broad activities:

• Protocol development
• Trial execution
• Data analysis
• Reporting

PharmOut can all of these services, as well as an ongoing mapping service after the initial protocol development.

PharmOut's temperature monitoring equipment includes wireless capabilities. This makes mapping large warehouse and cold rooms much simpler. Mapping performance can be checked in real time, providing a real advantage over the standard multiple battery operated data logger approach.  In-built reporting provides consistency and certainty to data outputs.

More information

If you would like a quote or to ask questions, please contact us.