Pharmaceutical supply chain and shipping services, simplified

Make sure your packaging can protect your pharmaceuticals
If you're using your own packaging to ship pharmaceuticals, put it to the test. Engineers in the FedEx Packaging Lab will evaluate your materials and let you know if they're ideal for shipping pharmaceutical goods. All testing conducted at our lab is exclusively for FedEx customers. While most of our customers' packaging issues can be resolved through complimentary testing, we also offer comprehensive material and thermal testing to ensure your packaging meets the highest standards for pharmaceutical shipments. We charge a nominal fee for these additional services.

Minimize how many people handle your essential pharmaceutical shipments. Our couriers will bypass loading docks and other third parties to deliver prescriptions directly to the pharmacy. They’ll also get a signature from the recipient.

From raw materials to finished products, your shipments stay secure at every step. When conditions change, our global network and flexible supply chain help you adapt and respond. Whether you’re facing new regulations, shifting routes, or sudden demand—you’re covered. And if issues arise, monitoring and intervention teams act fast to protect your package.

Keep time-critical, highly specialized shipments on track with end-to-end management. Get reliability, visibility, and compliance at every stage of the journey. Select flexible options tailored to your timing and needs:

• Time-specific air freight options
• Priority handling and boarding with expedited shipping
• Active and passive temperature-controlled containers (-20°C to +25°C)
• Around-the-clock monitoring and updates
• Dedicated quality team to support regulatory compliance
• Recovery solutions to rescue and expedite in-transit shipments
• End-to-end custodial control

When shipping pharmaceuticals, transparency is critical to product safety, regulatory compliance, and patient trust. For freight shipments that need special attention, rely on FedEx Custom Critical for:

• Temperature-controlled shipping, including deep frozen
• Real-time tracking and 24/7 service
• Special handling and security protocols
• A dedicated temperature-controlled vehicle
• Compliance support, including an audit trail of your shipment

​FedEx Custom Critical helps maintain your supply chain transparency even when conditions change. Ship pharmaceuticals, cell therapies, vaccines, or specialty compounds with confidence.

Every minute and every degree count in a clinical trial. Your shipments stay protected with real-time visibility and temperature control. From pickup to delivery, rigorous compliance and quality assurance keep your samples safe.

Find boxes, packaging, and containers that have been designed and tested to provide reliable cold temperatures.

Some freight shipments should be insulated with a thermal blanket. Bundle up your palletized freight and keep it within a specific temperature range.

Swiftly transport vaccines and essential medical supplies. Get peace of mind with GPS tracking, 24/7 monitoring, priority boarding, dry-ice replenishment, and more.

Are you shipping UN 3373 biological substances or UN 3245 genetically modified (micro) organisms? Learn more about identifying, classifying, and packaging them.

Certain drugs like heparin, warfarin, and Class 7 Type A radionuclides need special handling. Stay informed with dangerous goods resources and regulatory updates.

For expedited U.S. inbound shipments, Special Brokerage Processing offers premium clearance for your specific compliance needs. Most shipments clear the same day with documents in place. You also get dedicated brokerage support and access to powerful compliance tools.

Add reassurance with FedEx On Demand Care for temperature-controlled shipments. Get intervention services like dry-ice replenishment and gel-pack reconditioning and exchange. Contact a FedEx Sales Professional or call 1.800.GoFedEx or 1.800.463.3339.

Replace manual tracking with FedEx Surround^®. You’ll get advanced monitoring, predictive alerts, priority boarding, and intervention based on your SOPs. This keeps you informed, so you can act before issues arise.

It’s essential to comply with Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements. FedEx TransSmart^® is a secure third-party system that retains data to help you keep accurate records. It provides a link between each Proof of Delivery and Product Tracing Information form.