A guide to shipping pharmaceuticals

Whether it’s life-saving medicines, vaccines or medical equipment, shipping pharmaceuticals requires adherence to strict regulations and procedures. For companies that import or export pharma products, working with a freight forwarder with expertise in this area is crucial in ensuring the safe and timely delivery of goods.

Avion Australia has expensive expertise in freighting pharmaceuticals. We provide international air, ocean and land shipments of pharmaceuticals as well as medical devices with refrigerated and temperature-controlled transportation and warehousing options available.

Our dedicated pharmaceutical department is responsible for the international shipping of medical-industry products, and uses their deep understanding of the requirements of medicines and medical equipment to ensure safe, secure freighting.

Avion takes care of the complete import and export shipment with precision and accuracy, providing transport solutions for:

• pharmaceuticals
• nutraceuticals
• API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients)
• clinical trials
• medical devices
• personal protective equipment (PPE).

Pharmaceuticals may need to be refrigerated or insulated in temperature-controlled environments, and Avion ensures all such products are shipped in containers that maintain a constant temperature range, says Avion Australia’s Managing Director, Marco Viglietta.

“We use certified temperature control equipment (dataloggers) and isothermal packaging to ensure stable temperatures are maintained throughout the distribution chain in air, sea or land,” he says.

For Shaun Potts, Operations Manager at Medical Specialties Australasia (MSA), having a trustworthy freight forwarder with expertise in medical and pharma is essential in running a successful medical device distribution business.

“Working with Avion gives me peace of mind, knowing that if I needed to get a product form overseas, Avion would be able to take all the hassle off my hands, arrange everything with the supplier, and the products would arrive in a timely manner,” he says.

“There have been many times where [Avion] has gone above and beyond to help MSA receive their shipments when we need them. These include breaking down a pallet of stock to find a specific product that was needed urgently and isolating that product from the rest of the shipment, then arranging that one product to be shipped on a faster one- to two-day service.

“This was such a big help to MSA as we had customers who desperately needed this product for surgery, and we were able to deliver the product to the customer on time without any inconvenience to the hospital or patient.”

Is it better to ship medicines by sea or air?

For businesses that import or export in the medical industry the cost of shipping pharmaceuticals is a major consideration. Shipping by sea is generally more affordable than air, but may take longer to reach its destination. Air transport is faster, but can be more expensive. It’s important to strike a balance between cost and speed when selecting a freighting mode.

Shipping pharmaceuticals by sea allows the transportation of large quantities at an economical cost, making it an ideal choice for bulk shipments. Air freight is best for time-sensitive pharmaceutical products that require urgent delivery such as vaccines and medications that have a short shelf life or require immediate use. Air transport is also ideal for high-value pharmaceutical products such as biologics.

Whether by sea or air, our experts understand that pharmaceutical products and components can be perishable, fragile, volatile and light-sensitive. Routes are chosen to minimise delays or disruptions, while real-time tracking tools allow us to offer alternative routes if necessary.

Regardless of the mode of transportation, correct packaging of pharmaceutical products is vital. Products must be packaged in durable and tamper-evident packaging that can withstand the rigours of transportation. All packages must be clearly labelled with information such as product name, lot number and expiration date, as well as if they contain any hazardous substances.

6 key considerations when shipping pharmaceuticals

When shipping medicines internationally businesses should consider:

1. Regulatory compliance: Each country has its own regulations governing the import and export of pharmaceutical products, and all shipments must comply with relevant regulations to avoid legal issues.
2. Temperature control: Many medicines require temperature-controlled transportation to maintain their efficacy. Products must be warehoused and transported within the specified temperature range to prevent spoilage.
3. Customs clearance: This can be a complex and time-consuming process, particularly for international shipments of medicines. Avion Australia understands the importance of having all necessary documentation to prevent any delays or issues with customs clearance. Should issues arise, Avion’s proximity to airports and ports means staff can attend on site to help facilitate the customs clearance process.
4. Security: Medicines are high-value products and can be a target for theft or counterfeiting. Avion Australia ensures shipments are secure at all times, with appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorised access.
5. Labelling: When shipping pharmaceuticals internationally, it’s important to ensure that all labels and documentation are translated correctly and displayed in a prominent position on the packaging.
6. Quality control: Avion Australia ensures that medicines are handled and transported according to strict quality control procedures to ensure their safety and efficacy. Our experience in shipping pharmaceutical products ensures compliance with quality control regulations.

For Potts, who has worked with other freight forwarders previously, there is no doubt about the level of care provided by Avion.

“We have been working with Avion International for nine months now and am extremely satisfied with the level of professionalism and service that we receive from our customer service and sales rep team at Avion,” he says.

“Every shipment, no matter how large or small, Avion ensures they get to the destination on time and in good condition.”

For more information on how Avion Australia can assist you in importing or exporting pharmaceutical and healthcare industry products get in touch.