Shipping prescription drugs to your loved ones seems like a good idea in many situations: your friend forgot his insulin at home, or your daughter went on a two-week vacation without her medication. However , shipping prescription drugs is very restricted in Germany, and few people or institutions can do it legally.
Things get even more difficult when you need to ship refrigerated medicines like insulin . How can you ensure that the medication stays cold during transport?
We'll look at what you can and can't do when shipping refrigerated medications .
Can you send insulin and other medications by post in Germany?
If you send a package by post, you must observe German or international customs regulations as well as the guidelines of Deutsche Post or private courier services (such as DHL ).
Some items are prohibited, such as ammunition, explosives or gasoline, while others are restricted, such as dangerous or perishable items, live animals or alcoholic beverages. Controlled substances and drugs, such as prescription medications, are subject to strict shipping regulations , whether shipped domestically or internationally.
You can find all information regarding Deutsche Post’s regulations here .
Shipping of prescription drugs domestically & internationally
According to German pharmaceutical law, private individuals are generally not permitted to order or send medicinal products from an EU member state by post.
The only exceptions where you may ship prescription drugs are:
- Mail order via a pharmacy in an EU member state As an end consumer in Germany, you are permitted to purchase medicinal products from pharmacies based in another EU member state via mail order if the pharmacies apply safety standards comparable to those under German law.If you return a medication to the manufacturer (or pharmacy).
- Non-commercial sending by private individuals You can receive medicinal products by post that are legally purchased in another EU Member State and that you have sent to you by a private individual without commercial or professional mediation in a quantity corresponding to your usual personal needs.
How do you ship refrigerated medications like insulin?
Whether you are sending prescription drugs to your customers or relatives or returning them to a pharmacy at home or abroad, remember that you must comply with the regulations (see above).
In addition, if the medication being shipped requires refrigeration, such as insulin or vaccines, it is important that you ensure that it is transported under the correct temperature conditions and that it remains safe during transport and the cold chain remains unbroken.
shipping of refrigerated medicines
Shipping refrigerated medications like insulin requires some precautions to ensure your medication stays cool in its packaging during transit. Insulin and other refrigerated medications are best shipped in a cooler box or an insulated cooler bag with gel packs.
Secure your medications in it to avoid damage caused by movement and friction in the package during transport.
Check with the shipping company in advance to find out how long the transit will take and what weather conditions to expect. Avoid shipping insulin and other temperature-sensitive medications during heat waves.
Cooler bags for medication from 4AllFamily
If you need to ship insulin or other refrigerated medications to your loved ones, we highly recommend using insulin and medication coolers that guarantee that your medications will be kept safe and cool like a real refrigerator .
4AllFamily develops reliable cooling solutions for shipping and transporting sensitive medications. Our Nomad cooling bag for insulin and refrigerated medications keeps your medications cooled at 2-8°C for 26 hours , even when it's 40°C outside! It can hold up to 3-4 insulin pens and works with simple biogel ice packs.
If you need to ship a larger amount of medication, check out the 72-Hour 3-in-1 Medication Travel Cooler , which can ship up to 7 insulin pens or 8 insulin vials.
Do you have any questions about our products? Do not hesitate to contact us; one of our team members will be happy to help you!
Documents and information for shipping
If you ship insulin or other refrigerated prescription medications, you must provide the shipping company with the following information:
- copy of the doctor's prescription
- Copy of the recipient's ID card
- Name, address and telephone number of the recipient's doctor
- Amount, dosage and form of the medication (tablets, capsules, liquids, injections, etc.)
- The shipping company may request additional information.
Remember: Shipping insulin or other prescription refrigerated medications is subject to legal restrictions in Germany and Europe, so call the shipping company first and make sure you are in compliance.
