INDIA HOPES TO ACHIEVE 90% IMMUNIZATION BY 2021- STRESS ON STRENGTHENING PHARMA SUPPLY CHAIN
 Pluss Advanced Technologies supports the cause, with Make in India product - ‘Celsure™’
 Celsure™ is a breakthrough innovation which delivers lifesaving vaccines in perfect state

New Delhi, April 2017: Union Health Ministry, Government of India is promoting Universal Immunization Programme and vaccine management at all levels and has fixed 90% immunization targets by the year 2021. Its plans to have a robust immunization process complete from supply to delivery. Pluss Advanced Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has created Celsure™, a unique make-in-India product based of PCM technology which will revolutionize the delivery system of these lifesaving vaccines.

According to data in Handbook for Vaccine and Cold Chain Handlers 2nd Edition India 2016, it has been pointed out that India hopes to achieve 90% of immunization coverage in the next 5 years by strengthening its immunization supply chain and has to spend about INR 20,000 million every year in the immunization programme. (http://www.nccvmtc.org/pdf1/unicef_cold_chain_handlers_2016.pdf)

Samit Jain, Founder, Pluss Advanced Technologies Pvt. Ltd. says, “There have been tremendous efforts by many healthcare organizations and agencies to suffice the growing need of Universal Immunization but, we must not neglect the fact that about 30 to 35% Indian children miss benefits of full immunization every year. The country records about 5.5 to 6 lakh child deaths annually due to vaccine preventable diseases. This calls for an intervention to deliver lifesaving vaccines in time to the targeted beneficiaries. PLUSS brings a breakthrough yet cost effective and innovative product ‘Celsure™’ to ensure vaccine delivery at the desired temperature.. Celsure range is a set of pre-qualified shipping containers which uses the advanced savE® Phase Change Material (PCM) technology to provide the desired temperature maintenance for beyond 96 hours and ensures the vaccine remains effective prior to administration.”

According to recent reports, over 25% of vaccines go waste globally, mainly due to losing its potency before the vials were opened. As per the report on vaccines spoilage by Associated Press, of all the wastage in a fiscal year, 62% wastage happens due to spoilage of vaccines, and to the industry it costs more than $ 20 billion in a year. Most of these vaccines expire due to the wrong placement of the data logger which is placed within the ice box to control the temperature of vaccine during transportation. To address this issue of vaccine packaging and solutions organizations, UNICEF suggested under the “Last Mile” project, that Phase Change Material could be potential solution for Vaccine Transportation.
(http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22100133/print/1/displaymode/1098)

Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar, Head, Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Anand said “As a pediatrician I do understand the significance that vaccines have for humanity. This issue is especially important as it is possible that break in cold chain at the last mile may go unnoticed and less effective vaccination may occur. Using technologies that can prevent this loss of vaccines and under protection of children would help us build healthier adults.”



Prof Nimbalkar who is also Ex-President - National Neonatology Forum Gujarat State Chapter and National Coordinator (Scientific and Event) of the USAID funded programme - Helping 100K Babies Survive and Thrive India added, “Indian government is focused on Make in India and this product is necessary for India. It will contribute to the GDP of India in many ways -by lives saved, illnesses reduced and reducing the import bills of similar technologies and provide employment to people in our country.”

Pluss Advanced Technologies Pvt. Ltd., is a materials research and manufacturing company involved in the field of specialty polymeric additives and phase change materials. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are special thermal energy storage materials which store or release large amount of thermal energy while changing phase from solid to liquid or vice-versa at a particular temperature. PCMs can be engineered to work at a variety of temperatures as compared to ice packs which work only at 0⁰C. PCMs bring in the precision in temperature control critical to the Pharmaceutical Cold Chain.

Celsure™ – is a unique PCM based shipping solution for Pharmaceuticals. Celsure™ is a patent pending technology, designed and developed by Pluss, which uses savE® Phase Change Materials combined with high density EPS insulation to give a precise temperature control (2-8⁰C or 15-25⁰C) for a period of more than 96 hours. Celsure™ works more effectively and efficiently than the ice packs utilized in other containers. Celsure™ maintains a fixed temperature desired for the vaccine

Experts at the Pluss Advanced Technologies Pvt Ltd concluded, with the advent of newer technologies in temperature monitoring, cold chain storage and transportation equipment especially using green energy, stock and inventory management, Celsure™ has high potential to improve the existing supply chain system of vaccines.

About Pluss Advanced Technologies: A pioneer in advanced Phase Change Materials Technology (PCM), Pluss is the only Indian company engaged in research and indigenous development of PCMs for a wide range temperature requirement with several patents. Pluss is focused on creating value for its customers by designing innovative products and solutions in the field of Speciality Polymers and Phase Change Materials. Pluss is a venture funded organization with equity stake being held by Tata Capital Innovation fund, a premium fund of the TATA group from India. With its innovative products, Pluss Advanced Technologies is making its presence felt across the globe with representatives in USA, Turkey, South East Asia, Russia, Ukraine and South Africa. Pluss intends to be amongst the top innovative companies in the world in the near future. www.pluss.co.in