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Best Practices in Storing and Packaging for Pharmaceutical Products

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As the storage and shipping requirements for the approved COVID vaccines demonstrate, packaging for pharmaceutical products is a critical element of the cold chain in this industry. Vaccines and various other medicines are highly sensitive products. They require specific temperatures and storage conditions; otherwise they lose their qualities and cannot be used.

As professional packaging producers, Logistic Packaging understands the rigorous requirements of the pharma industry for every shipping tote and container they order from us. We constantly strive to create better products, which meet the strictest specifications and help pharma companies achieve their goals:

  • Ship their products safely
  • Maximize the use of warehouse and trailer space
  • Reduce their operational costs by using returnable packaging materials, with a long lifespan.

What Are the Key Requirements for Packaging for Pharmaceutical Products?

The most basic specifications when developing packaging materials for the pharma industry are:

  • Resistance to low temperature
  • Raw materials that do not leak chemicals into the packaged contents
  • Ability to seal the packaging material to prevent product tampering
  • Ability to embed tracking elements, such as RFID chips to monitor products in transit.

And looking at our special range of nestable containers for the pharma industry, they all meet these requirements. However, professional packaging for pharmaceutical products will live up to its expectations if it is used and handled correctly. For this reason, we decided to share with our readers a few best practices for storing and shipping pharma products.

1. Always Place Sensitive Products in a Central Position

Professional packaging for pharmaceutical products can be customized with various dividers to maximize its usable space. This optional feature allows you to plan carefully the position of each item inside the shipping tote.

We recommend placing the most sensitive products, such as vials and test tubes, in the center of the box, surrounded by other items which will act as extra cushion against mechanical shocks and vibration.

2. Use the Adequate Quantity of Coolant Packs

When shipping an order, consider the distance and the time needed for the products to arrive at the destination. This precise calculation will allow you to determine the number of necessary gel ice packs needed to maintain the required temperature.

As a supplementary solution, we recommend the Isopor insert, guaranteed to maintain a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius for up to 16 hours. This guarantee is confirmed by testing and certification by an independent laboratory.

3. Avoid Placing Loaded Packaging for Pharmaceutical Products Directly on the Floor

Pharma products need extra protection against each and all types of contaminants. For this reason, we recommend placing all the loaded containers onto a pallet, and never directly onto the floor.

Special hygienic/cleanroom pallets are a standard packaging solution for the pharma industry. Their special simplified design facilitates cleaning and sanitizing and does not have inaccessible spaces where dirt can build up.

4. Train Employees in Handling Packaged Products Correctly

Packaging for pharmaceutical products is designed to save space, allow ergonomic handling and resist to intense use. However, these packaging solutions need to be handled with due care.

After investing in returnable packaging materials, make sure that the employees who work in the warehousing and delivery departments receive proper training for:

  • Handling the shipping totes
  • Temperature tolerances
  • Stacking, dynamic and stack loads for each type of packaging.

5. Plan Shipments Carefully to Prevent Cross Contamination

Last but not least, warehouse workers must have a clear checklist of products that can be placed in the same container, as well as combinations of products that must be avoided at all costs.

Leaving aside the fact that various pharma products require different temperatures, some of them, especially live biological products, should never be in close contact in order to avoid cross contamination. The solution for this issue is maintaining a sufficient stock of packaging for pharmaceutical products, in various sizes and volumes. Thus, you will be able to pick orders taking into account all these considerations and in a space saving manner, as well.

Logistic Packaging is ready to provide you with expert advice and a comprehensive range of professional packaging for pharmaceutical products. Send us your inquiry by email or schedule a Skype video call with us now!