Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone has realised how important it is that pharmacies and shops are always supplied with medical devices, such as sanitising gel or masks. For this to happen, it is necessary that the logistics chain for the shipment of these types of products is always intact and functions in the correct way and at the correct time.
This applies whether companies have to send medical devices, products or appliances, or if it is private citizens themselves who need to ship this type of goods. In this article, we will describe all the particularities of shipping medical products, such as packaging and the route taken by the parcel being shipped.
How to package medical products
When shipping medical products and equipment, the first thing to pay attention to is the’packaging, This must be done in such a way that the transported devices preserve their functional characteristics, so that they are not affected in any way and once they arrive at their destination they can be used and function properly.
If, for example, you want to dispatch a parcel containing products such as masks or sterile gloves, First of all, it will be necessary to make sure that the packaging of each individual product is intact, and then place them all in a single box, taking care to wrap each box with bubble wrap if it is irregularly shaped or contains fragile products. After that, all the products are placed in the box, and the empty spaces are filled with packaging material, then the box is closed and sealed and all labels provided by the shipping company are applied.
More complicated is the packaging of medical equipment, which should be disassembled if possible, and each piece should be wrapped in bubble wrap, just as any very small pieces should be placed in smaller boxes or bags. If the equipment is large, it will be necessary to use a pallets for shipment, to which the unit will be secured with straps and then wrapped with cling film to prevent dust and scratches. If necessary, it will also be possible to build a protective case around the medical equipment on the pallet, using wood and plywood.
If you have to send medicines, Certain precautions must be taken before shipping, in particular specifying the type and quantity of medicine to be shipped, as well as enclosing a doctor's prescription, if required. When shipping medicines abroad, it is also necessary to check that the active ingredient of the medicine is permitted in the destination country, otherwise the shipment cannot be made.
In order to ship the drugs, each box must be individually packed in bubble wrap, and then everything must be placed in a larger box, and the empty spaces must be filled with packing material. This package should then be closed and sealed, and the shipping label required by the express courier.
A special note must also be made for the sanitising gel, containing alcohol follows the rules for hazardous liquids, for example, it cannot be shipped by air, but only by choosing a shipping option involving road transport. In addition, liquids considered hazardous must be transported by dedicated means, which guarantee both protection from shocks and control of temperature, humidity and air composition, so as to maintain a safe environment protected from fire or explosion. Precisely for this reason, specific rules for packing and shipping must also be followed, which will be provided by the chosen courier company handling the transport of this particular type of goods.
The shipment of medical devices
Once you have packed the medical devices or equipment to be shipped, it is time to choose the shipping option that best suits the type of goods but also our needs. in particular, there is the likelihood that you will need to get the parcel to its destination quickly, and in the case of urgent shipments you can select a express delivery, which allows the parcel to arrive at its destination as quickly as possible.
In any case, it is also necessary to pay attention to all the required documentation for this type of shipment: if it is a shipment of medical devices such as masks or gloves, no documentation needs to be provided, but as we have seen in the previous paragraphs the situation changes for drugs, for which the prescription when necessary.
For the shipments abroad of medical products, particularly in countries outside the European Union, it will be necessary that the export is authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). Once you are in possession of any documentation, you can proceed to the ups dispatch, taking care to choose a courier company that is available for shipments of drugs or other medical devices.
