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RTS & CRT Cabinets for Ambient Storage
Not all medicines require refrigeration, but they all need the right storage conditions to remain safe, effective, and compliant.
Whether you know it as Room Temperature Storage (RTS), Controlled Room Temperature (CRT), or Ambient Storage, the principle is the same: medicines must be stored within a defined temperature range to protect their quality and ensure patient safety.
At DC Medical, our range of Coolmed ambient storage cabinets are designed to provide reliable temperature control, helping healthcare professionals meet regulatory requirements with confidence.
What is Room Temperature Storage (RTS)?
Room Temperature Storage (RTS) refers to the storage of medicines at standard indoor temperatures, typically between +15°C and +25°C.
While these products do not require refrigeration, they must still be protected from temperature extremes and fluctuations that could affect their stability, potency, or shelf life. RTS ensures medicines remain within the manufacturer’s recommended storage conditions.
What is Controlled Room Temperature (CRT)?
Controlled Room Temperature (CRT) takes ambient storage one step further by incorporating active temperature regulation and monitoring.
Unlike a standard room environment, CRT storage continuously maintains temperatures between +15°C and +25°C, reducing the risk of fluctuations caused by heating systems, air conditioning, sunlight, or seasonal changes.
For medicines that are sensitive to temperature variation, CRT storage provides the assurance that products remain protected and compliant at all times.
What is Ambient Storage?
Ambient Storage is a broad term used to describe medicines stored at room temperature rather than under refrigeration.
Although often used interchangeably with RTS and CRT, ambient storage still requires a controlled environment. Medicines must be protected from excessive heat, cold, humidity, and temperature fluctuations that could compromise their integrity.
Effective ambient storage helps maintain product quality, supports regulatory compliance, and safeguards patient safety.
Ambient Storage vs Refrigerated Storage
The key difference lies in the temperature range:
Ambient Storage: +15°C to +25°C
Refrigerated Storage: +2°C to +8°C
While ambient storage may seem straightforward, maintaining a consistent temperature in busy healthcare settings can be challenging. Factors such as direct sunlight, poor ventilation, air conditioning, and seasonal temperature changes can all impact medicine storage conditions.
Even minor temperature deviations can affect medicine stability, shorten shelf life, and create compliance risks.
That’s why CoolMed ambient storage cabinets are specifically engineered to minimise these risks. Every cabinet is equipped with their exclusive iCool temperature monitoring probe and an external digital controller, providing accurate, reliable monitoring of storage conditions around the clock.
The result is complete confidence that medicines are stored in line with manufacturer recommendations every day.
Whether you’re managing a pharmacy, GP surgery, hospital, clinic, or care home, CoolMed RTS and CRT cabinets deliver dependable storage performance when it matters most.
Why Choose CoolMed?
They Manufacture Their Own Cabinets
Every cabinet undergoes rigorous quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring reliable performance and consistent quality.
Extensive Product Range
A wide choice of RTS and CRT storage cabinets available with next working day delivery on selected models.
Hassle-Free Unit Disposal
Upgrading your storage? We can arrange the responsible disposal of your existing cabinet for a small additional fee.
1-Year Warranty Included
All CoolMed ambient storage cabinets are supplied with a comprehensive 1-year parts and labour warranty as standard.
Warranty for Complete Peace of Mind
We believe in the quality and reliability of our products.
That’s why every CoolMed RTS and CRT cabinet is backed by a 12-month parts and labour warranty, giving you confidence that your investment is protected from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ambient storage and refrigerated storage?
Ambient storage maintains medicines within a temperature range of +15°C to +25°C, whereas refrigerated storage requires temperatures between +2°C and +8°C.
Medicines that do not require refrigeration must still be kept within the recommended ambient range to ensure they remain safe, effective, and compliant with manufacturer guidelines.
Why can’t I use a standard cupboard or room for medicine storage?
A standard room may occasionally fall within the recommended temperature range, but environmental factors such as sunlight, heating systems, air conditioning, and poor ventilation can cause temperature fluctuations.
Dedicated ambient storage cabinets provide controlled conditions and temperature monitoring, helping maintain compliance while protecting medicine quality.
How can I monitor the temperature inside the cabinet?
Every CoolMed RTS and CRT cabinet features an external digital controller and our exclusive iCool temperature monitoring probe, allowing you to easily and accurately monitor storage conditions without opening the cabinet door.
Are CoolMed ambient storage cabinets suitable for all healthcare environments?
Yes. Our cabinets are trusted by healthcare professionals across a wide range of settings, including:
Pharmacies
GP surgeries
Hospitals
Care homes
Medical clinics
Healthcare laboratories
Do CoolMed cabinets support regulatory compliance?
Yes. Our RTS and CRT cabinets are specifically designed to help healthcare organisations meet medicine storage requirements and maintain compliance with manufacturer recommendations.
CoolMed is trusted by leading healthcare providers throughout the UK, including TESCO Pharmacy, Boots Pharmacy, and numerous NHS Trusts, delivering reliable and cost-effective medicine storage solutions that protect both products and patients.
Protect Your Medicines with Confidence
Discover CoolMed’s range of RTS and CRT cabinets, designed to deliver reliable temperature-controlled storage, support compliance, and safeguard patient safety every day.
Please note that these cabinets do not conform with the regulations for the storage of Controlled Drugs or Medicines under “The Misue of Drugs Act” Or BS2881:1989