Logistics

Cold Chain and Shipping for Injectables: What Clinics Should Check

6 min read · Updated 22 August 2026

Storage conditions, transit packing, delayed deliveries and the goods-in checks that keep temperature-sensitive stock usable.

Why transit is the weak link

A product can be genuine, in date and correctly labelled and still be compromised by how it travelled. Temperature excursions during transit leave no visible trace on the packaging, which is why the chain of custody matters as much as the certificate.

Before you order

Ask for the manufacturer's stated storage range for each product line.
Ask how the supplier packs for that range — insulation, coolant type, and the number of hours the pack is rated for.
Ask for the expected transit time on your route, and what happens on a customs or courier delay.
Confirm who bears the loss if a shipment arrives outside specification.

Goods-in checks

What to record on every delivery
Check	Action if it fails
Packaging intact and sealed	Photograph before opening, raise with supplier immediately
Coolant still effective on arrival	Quarantine stock, do not shelve, contact supplier
Batch and expiry match the paperwork	Hold the delivery and reconcile before acceptance
Product appearance as expected	Quarantine and query — do not use
Delivery matches order line by line	Record the discrepancy before signing off

Storage in clinic

Dedicate storage to stock, separate from anything else.
Monitor and log temperature rather than assuming the unit is holding.
Rotate by expiry so the oldest usable stock is picked first.
Keep received batch records against the stock so a recall can be actioned quickly.

Escrow gives you time to check

The practical advantage of escrow on temperature-sensitive orders is timing: funds are released to the supplier after delivery is confirmed, so goods-in checks happen while you still have leverage rather than after payment has cleared. If a shipment arrives out of specification, raise it through the order before confirming delivery.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should dermal fillers be stored at?: Storage conditions are set by the manufacturer and vary by product line, so follow the stated range on the product documentation rather than a general rule. Confirm the range with the supplier before ordering if it is not stated.
What should I do if a shipment arrives warm?: Quarantine the stock rather than shelving it, photograph the packaging and coolant, and raise it with the supplier before confirming delivery on the order.
Does escrow cover a damaged or out-of-specification delivery?: Escrow holds funds until delivery is confirmed, so a problem raised before confirmation is handled while payment is still held.