Shipping pharmaceuticals is not like any other products, it requires careful handling, specialized storage conditions, and direct control to regulatory standards. An error in a shipping pharmaceuticals can put every aspect of serious medications at risk.
Alliance Shipping is one of the most popular shipping companies that specializes in shipping pharmaceuticals. Get an understanding of shipping pharmaceuticals essentials, examining key factors, and reasons for experienced third-person service providers.
Types of Pharmaceuticals and Their Shipping Requirements
Pharmaceutical medicines are available in many forms, generally, each form has specific shipping conditions that facilitate its proper functioning. Here’s a breakdown of the types:
- Biologicals
- Prescription Drugs
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
Compliance with Pharmaceuticals Shipping Regulations
Shipping pharmaceuticals has its own rules governing the shipping of drugs to the patients in question. The key agencies governing these standards include:
- US’s food and drug administration (FDA) and the European union’s medicinal products agency (EMA).
- PDSA and GDP also lay down some conditions for handling, reporting, and maintaining temperature.
Noncompliance with these regulations has serious legal and financial implications, let alone customer relationships.
Cold Chain Logistics
Cold chain is basically the process of temperature management required in shipping pharmaceuticals. Key components of effective cold chain management include:
Temperature-Controlled Vehicles and Containers: Most vehicles in shipping pharmaceuticals are sufficiently appropriately conditioned. This is because even with transportation, proper maintenance of the equipment on a frequent and careful basis minimizes the change that will result in a decrease in the effectiveness of the product.
Data Logging and Temperature Tracking: Some of the logistic service providers use telemetering to keep records of temperatures, humidity, or other conditions in real time. Small temperature changes such as 2°C can render some pharmaceutical products useless, therefore, the need for an alert on temperature changes to be in place.
Risk Management in Pharmaceutical Shipping
Pharmaceuticals are at multiple risks since they are sensitive products that need protection in the course of distribution. Common risks include:
Temperature Excursions: As mentioned, even a small deviation from the required temperature range can compromise drug efficacy. Using specialized carriers who have strict monitoring and sounding mechanisms also assists in maintaining cold chain losses.
Cargo Theft: Opioids are some of the most valuable drugs and are very vulnerable to theft, especially when they are on the move. These shipments require sophisticated security features such as tracking devices, secure areas for loading, and other ‘best practices’ of the custody chain.
Product Contamination and Breakage: Bottle articles such as liquids, and injectables are easily contaminated, and the glass containers are also easily broken. Use of shock-resistant casing, handling with a lot of care, and regular checkups minimize product loss.
Companies often perform a comprehensive risk assessment and establish contingency plans to safeguard pharmaceutical shipments. These strategies include identifying alternative routes, monitoring weather conditions, and coordinating emergency response teams to handle potential disruptions.
Choosing the Right Logistics Partner
Selecting a logistics partner with expertise in pharmaceutical shipping is essential to navigating regulatory requirements and supply chain logistics challenges. Here’s what to look for:
Cold Chain Expertise: A credible partner will have the required experience and a proficient and compliant fleet equipped with temperature control vehicles and packaging.
Compliance Knowledge: Your logistics partner needs to be knowledgeable about international regulatory requirements and correct documentation.
Risk Management Protocols: Ensure that the partner has a well-developed risk management plan and has effective ways of clear communication with suppliers.
Real-Time Monitoring Capabilities: Some tracking of shipping pharmaceuticals will be more reliable and controllable in the shipment of pharmaceutical products.
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Best Practices for Shipping Pharmaceuticals
Following these best practices can help optimize your pharmaceutical shipping operations:
Pre-Plan for Cold Chain Needs: Each pharmaceutical product has its temperature needs and, therefore, you should establish them and relay them to your third-person provider as early as possible.
Use GPS-Enabled Tracking: Real-time visibility is possible with GPS tracking, whereas, continuous visibility is made possible so that you act immediately in case of a particular problem encountered in the shipment process.
Conduct Regular Training: Shipping pharmaceuticals companies should avail themselves of relevant training sessions to be trained on handling, regulatory compliance, and temperature management.
Document and Audit Processes: Maintain detailed records of every step in the shipping process, including temperature logs, handling protocols, and security measures. Call for audits that will help determine the areas where changes need to be made.
Your Way to Shipping Pharmaceuticals
Shipping pharmaceuticals demands a sensitive approach that incorporates various aspects. Some include conformity to the legal requirements, appropriate temperature management, strict management of risks, and selection of a competent company like Alliance Shipping. The pharmaceutical industry has certain needs to ensure its products meet certain demands, these needs can be looked at and tackled through effective planning. Hence, reducing risks to the minimum with a view of benefiting the majority of the patient population. Contact Alliance Shipping for your shipping pharmaceuticals needs.
