Brazil. The Southern Brazilian Association of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Heating and Ventilation (Asbrav) warned about the importance of having pharmacies properly air-conditioned, in order to effectively preserve medicines.
For the association, in pharmacies the importance of an air conditioning unit goes beyond the comfort it provides, since medicines must be kept at an average temperature of between 15°C and 30°C. Due to the different climates of each region of Brazil, not obeying this instruction can cause changes in the formula of the drug, leading to its inefficiency.
According to Ricardo Vaz, technical director of Asbrav, many premises do not comply with this measure due to ignorance or negligence, despite the existence of the rule proposed by the National Health Surveillance Agency on good pharmaceutical practices.
"Lack of public interest and ignorance lead to disobedience of this and other norms and resolutions. There is also the culture of immediacy, with which some people believe that the installation of air conditioning or split can generate many additional expenses, without remembering the needs and benefits contemplated, "says Vaz.
The association recommends that to choose the air conditioning that best suits the needs of pharmacies, there are some aspects that must be taken into account at the time of choice: the temperature to be maintained in the environment, the control of humidity and the conditions of the building. It is also necessary that the personnel of the facility receive the appropriate instructions on the use of the equipment, and after periodic maintenance, usually monthly, obey the hygiene conditions and preserve the life and efficiency of the equipment.
