AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group has introduced an upgraded version of its Cubixx unit, a portable refrigeration device designed to store temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals at the point of dispensing, including in patient homes. The new iteration incorporates solid-state electronics technology developed by Phononic, a company based in Durham, North Carolina. This technology utilizes a heat-pump mechanism instead of traditional compressors to maintain cooling precision within one degree Celsius.
The system is noted for its energy efficiency, consuming power comparable to a standard 40-watt light bulb.
The updated Cubixx unit also includes RFID-based readers and internet connectivity. These features allow clients, or AmerisourceBergen acting as part of a vendor-managed inventory program, to monitor the status of stored pharmaceuticals. Modular RFID components supplied by SimplyRFID of Warrenton, Virginia, facilitate onsite maintenance of the tracking system.
While Phononic sells similar refrigerators under the Evolve brand name for retail prices between $2,350 and $3,500 depending on capacity, AmerisourceBergen provides the Cubixx units through an open-ended leasing arrangement.
The company distributes these units to 15 countries via World Courier and other specialty-distribution services. The device addresses challenges in the final stage of drug distribution by ensuring safe storage for potentially high-cost medications. While many pharmacies and medical offices use conventional mini-fridges for temperature-sensitive products, these often lack adequate monitoring.
Extending reliable storage to the patient’s home aims to streamline the dispensing process for drugs administered by patients themselves.
