How to send medicines

Shipping medicines abroad and to Italy

Shipping medicines requires special care and attention, as these are delicate products that perform a very important function.

Let’s not forget that if a medicine is damaged during transport, it could prove ineffective for the end user. In particular, this type of merchandise is particularly sensitive to light and temperature changes.

Consequently, there are some basic rules to follow when preparing the packaging of medicines for transport.

Whether you are a private individual who has to ship medicines to Italy or even abroad, a company that produces them or a pharmacy with an e-commerce business, today we would like to give you some advice on how to safely pack and ship this particular type of product.

Until a few years ago, it was even more complicated to ship drugs: regulations were very strict and packaging was often considered not safe enough.

Only a few medicines could be shipped!

Today the situation is different and many couriers are able to guarantee the shipping of medicines. Before choosing a courier company, however, it is a good idea to ensure that the chosen one carries out this activity regularly, following the strict protocol established by the Ministry of Health.

So how should you proceed when you want to ship medicines?

The first distinction to be made is between prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines that can be purchased freely. More specifically, medicines can be divided into five main categories (established by AIFA, the Italian Medicines Agency):

without prescription OTC and SOP;
subject to prescription;
subject to prescription to be renewed each time;
subject to special medical prescription;
subject to a restrictive medical prescription.

Within the first category are the so-called ‘over-the-counter medicines‘, such as painkillers, ointments, eye drops, cough syrups, etc. For the shipment of these products, there are less restrictive rules, but it is still good practice to take precautions so as not to compromise the integrity of the product (e.g. milk enzymes cannot exceed certain temperatures).

For prescription medicines, on the other hand, there are greater restrictions, especially when it comes to shipments abroad. Also called ‘ethical’, these are all those that have a potential toxic effect and are at risk of abuse. Strong antibiotics and painkillers, for example, belong to this category.

If you are a private individual, before embarking on the procedure of shipping prescription medicines, it is a good idea to find out about the regulations in force, such as the Decree of 16 November 2007: ‘Regulations concerning the possession and transport of narcotic or psychotropic medicines by citizens travelling abroad and citizens arriving in Italian territory’.

How to pack the drugs to be shipped

Choosing the right packaging is essential for a successful shipment: this applies to all products, but even more so to those that are so delicate. So how to proceed?

Pay attention to how you store the medicine you have to send: if for some you do not need to take special precautions, for others you need to follow precise temperature guidelines. In this case, it is a good idea to check with your courier that there is the possibility of temperature-controlled transport.

The range of isothermal packaging and cold accumulators to be placed inside the parcel, designed precisely for this purpose, is your ideal ally, especially in summer. One example is the Isostar isothermal box available with reinforced closure or with matching flaps. It maintains the temperature of sensitive products from +2/+8°C up to 24h! Simple and practical to use, it does not need to be over-packed.

Or, alternatively, isothermal bubble wrap that avoids thermal shock while offering high impact protection.

For smaller volumes, we recommend isothermal bags available with adhesive and pressure seal closures.

If you are looking for anenvironmentally friendly alternative to protect your medicines, we recommend the WrapPak Protector Paper Filling System.

Besides being 100% recyclable, biodegradable and sourced from renewable sources, it is an excellent insulator: it prevents thermal shock thanks to its multilayer structure.

For very delicate medicines, e.g. with glass bottles, the ideal solution is the Geami WrapPak Paper Filling System. This machine produces a totally natural, reusable and recyclable anti-shock filling material that consists of a layer of kraft paper with a 3D honeycomb structure and a layer of tissue paper that prevents scratches.
For medicines that are not particularly delicate, on the other hand, you can use Pressure Closure Pouches, which are practical and easy to close.

Remember that it is necessary to choose a box of adequate size to hold the individual packs of medicines, opting for different sizes depending on the volume of your products. This will help to keep transport costs down. To learn more, read our in-depth article on theimportance of volumetric weight.

To lock and secure your shipments, it is essential to keep the products inside the box and fill the empty spaces. To do this, you can use the FillPak TT Cutter paper filling system.

Got doubts? Call us on 848 815 815 or write to info@rajapack.it

RAJA is your ideal partner for drug shipping!