All businesses that require shipping services need their shipments to be transported safely and smoothly. This means ensuring that nothing is damaged, lost, late and that there are no unexpected surprises. This is especially true when shipping pharmaceuticals because the simplest mistakes can result in a loss worth thousands of dollars. It can also impact the lives of the people that are waiting and relying on the pharmaceutical products to thrive and survive.

Thankfully, the shipping industry has grown by leaps and bounds and it has made impressive advances in the past few years that have revolutionized the way that businesses ship pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical cold chain transportation processes have also improved considerably which has enhanced the transportation of biomedical pharmaceutical products.

Companies moving pharmaceutical products should rely on the help of a qualified freight forwarder to ensure that the job is done properly. Because there is a broad array of freight forwarding services out there claiming to give the best services, it can be a bit difficult trying to find the right freight forwarder for your needs. If you are looking for a freight forwarder for shipping pharmaceuticals, here are some tips to help you pick the right freight forwarding service for pharma logistics:

Remember that there is no one size fits all solution

Pharmaceuticals are as varied as modern medicine itself. The products being transported can range from high-value painkillers and refrigerated insulin to human and animal samples and specimens. As such, there is no one size fits all solution for the transportation of pharmaceutical materials. It is important to pick a freight forwarder that has experience transporting the products that your business or company specializes in. Whatever your niche, you must have peace of mind throughout the shipping process.

On-time delivery rate

Where medical equipment, samples and products are concerned, it is critical that everything arrives on time. You need access to reliable shippers that can come up with unique ways to deal with imminent shipping challenges. The shipper needs to do so in a manner that can avoid delays caused by unplanned rerouting while keeping your cargo safe.

Anticipate some of the factors that might affect the shipping process

It is essential to anticipate some of the components that might impact the shipping process so that you can prepare for them. When picking freight forwarding services, it is imperative that you remember that not all freight forwarders are created equal. Some shipping services will hand over your cargo to another carrier in order to make a delivery in the areas where they are not very well connected.

When shipping pharmaceuticals, this is referred to as inconsistent custodial control and it can cause real issues. When unnecessary links are added to the supply chain, it poses the potential for problems such as miscommunication and decreased accountability levels.

Can the freight forwarder maintain regulatory compliance?

Other major considerations when shipping pharmaceuticals are the temperature and environmental controls. A large number of medical products that need to be shipped require temperature and moisture control to prevent them from losing their efficiency or from getting damaged. As such, you will have to think about the specifics that your particular pharmaceutical products require.

Any freight forwarding company worth hiring and worthy of moving your pharmaceutical products should make use of active and passive temperature and moisture controls to create the ultimate shipping conditions for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Active temperature controlled containers, the use of temperature monitors, as well as thermal pallets go a long way in helping to make sure that pharmaceuticals are shipped effectively.

Review your options carefully

Before you start looking for a dependable freight forwarder for shipping pharmaceuticals, take the time to learn what specialized services a freight forwarder can offer you. Compare the services available and offer by different providers to understand exactly what each freight forwarder is offering you.

For instance, the best freight forwarders will provide you with monitoring services that can allow you to follow the progress of your shipment. Other value-added services that can be offered include providing you with a dedicated specialist that can manage your shipment’s activities and one that can work directly with you to guarantee that your cargo arrives safely.

Be certain that the freight forwarder can take care of all your needs

Before you settle for a freight forwarder for shipping pharmaceuticals, be sure to contact the service to define your needs and expectations. For instance, if you are transporting frozen tissue samples, you will need to hire a freight forwarder that has access to temperature monitoring methods that are suitable for your cargo.

If you are shipping costly medication, consider asking the freight forwarder about their security technology, as well as any contingency plans that they may have in place in the event of mechanical failure.

Final thoughts

Need a freight forwarder for shipping pharmaceuticals from overseas? Sidoman enjoys an extensive global distribution network that guarantees that your cargo will be handled correctly from pick up to distribution. This means that your package will not be passed on to third-party carriers. Instead, your shipment will stay in Sidoman’s hands from the beginning to the end.

Our experience dealing with international trade and regulatory compliance services also means that we are capable and equipped to handle a smooth transaction across all continents. We build on our freight forwarding expertise and localized service delivery to ship your pharmaceuticals in the most efficient way possible.

Learn more about how we can help you ship your pharmaceuticals. Contact us today.