The pharmaceutical industry has changed drastically throughout the course of modern history. As our understanding of sciences grows, so do required regulations and standards. To learn more about the rich and interesting history behind this major industry, and how cold shipping solutions have helped it grow, continue reading.
The History of Pharmaceuticals
The production and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs began as early as the 1800s. Merchants from small apothecary shops sold their products made from organic materials to the masses before joining forces with chemical labs. They were able to produce more potent medicine and tend to a greater range of ailments — and thus, the pharmaceutical industry was born.
The 1920s saw significant growth in the pharmaceutical industries and pharmaceutical companies. One of the biggest breakthroughs throughout this time was the production of insulin. Up until this discovery, diabetes was a fatal illness. But scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best were able to isolate, purify, and render it an effective way of treating the disease. Insulin was then mass-produced and distributed by Eli Lilly in 1923.
Following the worst recorded polio outbreak in the US in 1952, which led to the invention of the polio vaccine by US physician Jonas Salk. This vaccine was administered to 1.6 million children in Canada, Finland, and the US in 1954. In the mid-1950s, federal funding to the National Institutes of Health has risen to nearly $100 million.
In 1962, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began implementing the Kefauver-Harris Amendment, with rules demanding proof of efficacy and accurate disclosure of side-effects for new medications. Two years later, in 1964, the Declaration of Helsinki added greater ethical structures to clinical research.
More recently, the FDA approved the first use of CAR-T therapy in 2017 to treat children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Since then, other CAR-T treatments have been approved as immunotherapy, such as for adults with blood cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
The development of innovative new medicines and treatments continues today, as we build a greater understanding of science and the human body.
Pharmaceuticals Today
While the development of treatments expands, so does our ability to transport and store materials to ensure quality and potency. SciSafe offers cutting-edge cold chain logistics and biopharma storage solutions. Contact us to discuss how we can provide standard or custom solutions regarding storing your ingredients, samples, and final products.