In oncology, where treatment efficacy can mean the difference between life and death, maintaining medication integrity is as crucial as clinical expertise. Many cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy agents, immunotherapies, and biologics, are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Even short-term deviations (or excursions) outside the 2°C to 8°C range can reduce efficacy, compromise safety, and result in costly waste.
Regulatory guidelines from SAHPRA and WHO make it clear: medical cold chain storage must be accurate, stable, and reliably monitored1. Yet, across Southern Africa, many private practices continue to rely on standard beverage or domestic fridges for storing critical medicines.
About the Practice
This case study focuses on a private oncology practice based in Gauteng, led by a highly trained medical oncologist with both local and international credentials. With a strong background in research and day-to-day cancer treatment, the practice routinely stores temperature-sensitive therapies for conditions like breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. These include high-value medications that must be stored within strict temperature limits to remain effective.
Given the clinical and financial stakes, reliable cold storage is essential.
The Challenge
Before upgrading their equipment, the practice was using a standard beverage fridge to store these medications. On the surface, the fridge seemed sufficient: it cooled, had adequate space, and fit neatly into the available space. However, with growing concerns about temperature fluctuations, as evidenced by their temperature monitors, the team sought a better solution.
According to SAHPRA regulations, the practice was required to monitor the temperatures at which medications are stored. Using calibrated sensors, the team recorded internal temperature trends in their standard fridges. The results indicated a clear need for specialised refrigeration, leading the practice to purchase a B340/220H vaccine fridge, due to its precise temperature control and retention capabilities in the event of an electricity supply interruption.
The Results
The graph below speaks for itself, as recorded by a third-party specialist temperature monitoring tool from a leading, WHO-approved monitoring service provider.
- The standard beverage fridge’s regular temperature cycle raised the interior temperature above 12ºC.
- The Minus40 B340/220H maintained a tight, consistent range between 4.5ºC and 6.5ºC, well within compliance, with no significant excursions.
This upgrade almost eliminated temperature excursions completely, protecting expensive medication and ensuring optimal treatment efficacy for every patient.
The Minus40 Difference
Unlike general-purpose fridges, the Minus40 B340/220H is specifically designed for clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Its key features include:
- Medical-grade insulation and construction
- High-precision temperature control and circulation
- Integrated alarms and monitoring compatibility
- Lockable door and secure storage compartments
- 340-litre capacity ideal for medium-sized practices
- Designed for Southern African power conditions and temperatures, with temperature holdover of over 60 hours (at 32ºC ambient temperature) and built-in voltage protection
Furthermore, Minus40 is licensed by SAHPRA to manufacture medical devices2, with every unit thoroughly tested before delivery to ensure quality and compliance.
Our design ensures that the integrity of medication is protected, and doctors can feel assured they’re giving their patients effective treatments.
This case illustrates that while beverage fridges may be affordable and readily available in the short term, they are not adequately equipped to meet the demands of clinical cold storage.
Investing in the right equipment protects patients, reduces staff workload, and ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks. When you consider the value of the medicines at risk and the lives they support, a reliable fridge becomes one of the most critical tools in a practice.
Is Your Cold Chain Secure?
If you’re currently using a household or commercial beverage fridge to store sensitive medication, now is the time to assess your risk.
Minus40 offers a full range of purpose-built medical fridges designed for African clinics, pharmacies, and outreach programmes. Contact our specialists today for a cold chain assessment and discover how our South African-engineered solutions can protect your practice and patients.
1 SAHPRA. (2022). Guideline on South African Good Wholesaling Practice for Wholesalers (No. SAHPGL-INSP-03_v5; p. 24). https://www.sahpra.org.za/document/guideline-for-good-wholesaling-practice-for-wholesaler/
2 Minus40 Pty Ltd. (2025). Certificates. Minus40. Retrieved 12 June 2025, from https://minus40.co.za/certificates/