Chinese delivery platform Meituan unveiled its on-demand cold chain delivery service for pharmaceuticals sold through retail outlets in Shanghai's Yangpu district on Sept 6.

The initiative was launched in conjunction with the National Drug Safety Awareness Week and was seen as marking a significant step towards ensuring the safe and efficient distribution of medicines.

Collaborating closely with franchised pharmacies, Meituan has outlined plans to expand the specialized services citywide by October.

It says it will leverage its robust delivery network and cutting-edge technology to uphold the highest standards of drug safety and quality.

Central to Meituan's cold chain delivery services is the deployment of professional thermostatic chambers, meticulously calibrated to maintain temperatures between 2-8 C, crucial for preserving the efficacy of temperature-sensitive medications.

The entire delivery process will be monitored, enabling customers to track their orders and the status of storage temperatures in real-time. Customers will also receive detailed receipts documenting the temperature records.

To uphold stringent national regulations on drug quality management, medications requiring cold chain storage must be safeguarded at stable temperatures to preserve their potency and effectiveness.

Particularly for medications like probiotics and insulin analogs, improper storage conditions can compromise their quality, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining consistent cold chain logistics.

Meituan has developed a suite of professional services that adhere to national standards for the delivery of cold chain pharmaceuticals.

It has streamlined the procurement, storage and sales processes to ensure the smooth distribution of the specialized medications –addressing one of the most challenging aspects of handling temperature-sensitive drugs.

The on-demand cold chain delivery services introduced by Meituan are currently available not only in Shanghai but also in key cities such as Beijing, Chengdu in Sichuan province, as well as Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province.

Source: Shanghai Observer