The pharmaceutical industry is worth billions of dollars and comprises several moving parts that make it a juggernaut sector. With customer demand constantly on the incline, numerous pharma products require transportation.
The procedure of shipping pharmaceuticals is far more challenging than you may expect. This article helps you learn five facts you didn’t know about pharmaceutical transportation. But before we get into the facts, let’s take a quick and detailed look at pharmaceutical shipping.
What is Pharmaceutical Shipping?
The distribution of drugs and other health-related products across various nations is referred to as pharmaceutical shipping. These products are usually supplied in stages before reaching the customer.
For example, pharmaceuticals may be sent directly from the producer to the distributor or delivered to the consumer by the manufacturer or distributor. Pharmaceutical shipping and transportation are frequently used by hospitals, pharmaceuticals, doctors, and other major healthcare organizations. Due to the often delicate nature of pharmaceutical logistics, companies that deliver these products must be extremely knowledgeable.
5 Things You Must Know About Shipping Pharmaceuticals
The following are five important things you need to know about shipping pharmaceuticals.
1. Shipping Temperature is Critical
Often, medications that require shipping are sensitive; hence, they need specific temperature ranges. Such drugs become unstable and altered if they exceed certain temperature ranges. Contract pharmaceutical companies and other pharmaceutical drivers use cold-chain logistics to sustain ideal drug temperatures. This keeps various drug materials in their temperature ranges. Most temperature-sensitive medications require between 55 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit to be stable. Others may need to be kept even under lower temperatures hence, the importance of refrigerated vehicles in pharmaceutical shipments.
2. Packaging is Everything
Maintaining ideal temperatures is just as crucial as using correct shipping packages. Many drugs become unstable when exposed to direct sunshine or under certain forces. The proper packaging decision for every shipped medication provides an extra layer of protection.
Several pharmaceuticals are carried in thermal containers using special heat pallets. They are called reefer containers, and these aid in temperature regulation. The special heat pallets are thick enough to protect the medicine from direct sunlight, humidity, external forces, and environmental elements during transportation. You can never be too prepared when it comes to pharmaceutical shipping.
3. Know the Shipping Laws
Chemicals, medical equipment, human tissues, and fluids are all examples of pharmaceutical products often shipped. These products are often considered harmful substances. Hence, they are under federal and state restrictions. The government has several regulations governing such exports. Therefore, you need to know the shipping laws for every pharmaceutical product and ensure that your shipping method adheres to them.
4. Have the Required Licensing
Coupled with knowing shipping legislation, you must employ a shipping firm that is properly licensed. There are certain licensing requirements for transporting medications. While you do not need full knowledge of their regulations, you must ensure that the shipping company you work with knows and adhere to them. They must also have the necessary licenses to operate.
5. Documentation is Key
Documentation is the core of any business transaction. Thus, keeping a proper custody chain helps verify the authenticity of the shipment. It shows that the shipment wasn’t tampered with, was correctly wrapped, and followed all regulations. In a situation where you followed all of the appropriate standards but still suffered product damage, your only hope of avoiding a lawsuit is with detailed, accurate documentation.
Final Thoughts
Pharmaceutical shipping is a profitable sector with significant risk and responsibility and stringent regulations. Pharma businesses and organizations are aware of these five guidelines and others in the pharmaceutical shipping market and adhere to them religiously.