Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector is experiencing steady growth. According to the Institute of Health Policy1, the percentage of Sri Lankans prioritizing increased spending on health has risen significantly from 58% in Q1 of 2023 to 87% in Q3 of 2024. This upward trend aligns with broader market dynamics, with Technavio2 predicting the global healthcare market will grow by US$6.26 billion by 2028, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.73%.
A growing healthcare sector corresponds with a corresponding international and local growth in demand for medical supplies and devices. For companies in the healthcare industry, this signifies significant opportunities to expand their business by shipping goods to new foreign markets.
Why ship medical shipments with DHL Express WMX?
However, shipping medical supplies presents challenges that demand meticulous planning, advanced equipment, and skilled personnel. This is where DHL Express bridges the gap with our DHL Express Medical Express (WMX) service.
Short lead time
Some pharmaceuticals, such as radioactive drugs, tend to have short shelf lives. Meanwhile, medical equipment and supplies hospitals need for operations or critical patient care are often time-sensitive. In such cases, fast and reliable deliveries are crucial for preserving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the products and can have life-changing consequences.
By choosing the DHL Express WMX service, you can easily schedule priority pick-ups quickly and leverage our network to secure the next available flight This, coupled with our expertise in handling customs clearance for medical shipments, enables us to deliver your parcels on time, every time.
Comprehensive range of temperature control solutions
Besides time-sensitivity, many medical supplies and devices typically need to be stored at precise temperature ranges. For instance, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) of Sri Lanka mandates that certain killed vaccines3 must be stored consistently between +2°C and +8°C to ensure their efficacy and safety.
To that end, DHL Express offers a range of flexible, temperature-controlled packaging solutions that businesses can choose from, including:
- Refrigerated (2°C to 8°C)
- Controlled ambient (15°C to 25°C)
- Ambient (room temperature)
- Frozen (-15°C to -25°C)
- Frozen with dry ice (-80°C)
This is in addition to our contingency activation services, such as dry ice replenishment and access to refrigerated storage facilities, which ensure your medical shipments are properly stored during shipping.
Full customs and quality management compliance
For medical companies, compliance with regulatory requirements is critical to avoid legal penalties, shipment delays, and goods confiscation. With DHL Express, businesses can be confident that their medical deliveries are managed in compliance with protocols, for our WMX service adheres to international and local regulations, such as those set by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). From pre-clearance to documentation and packaging checks, we minimize risks and streamline your shipping process.
Easy booking and customized support
Understanding that convenience is key, DHL Express also makes booking our services simple. You can easily access our WMX services through our user-friendly online booking platform or by contacting DHL Express Sri Lanka’s local customer service team for personalized support.
End-to-end shipment visibility
After you ship out your products, DHL Express’s Global Quality Control Centre provides 24/7 monitoring and contingency activation to ensure your shipment stays on course. Meanwhile, our real-time tracking tools provide full end-to-end visibility, ensuring you stay informed throughout the last-mile delivery.
Enjoy the benefits of the DHL Express WMX service
By leveraging DHL Express’s global delivery network, industry expertise, and advanced logistics capabilities, companies can ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements and secure handling of temperature- and time-sensitive products. Meanwhile, the reliability and efficiency of our WMX service means you can trust that we transport critical medical equipment and supplies will be shipped safely and quickly to support your operations and boost customer satisfaction.
Start enjoying the benefits of our DHL Express WMX service when you open a business account with us.
Frequently asked questions about DHL Express Medical Express service
When shipping medical devices and medicines, proper packaging is crucial to ensure their safety, efficacy, and compliance with international regulations, and here are some key tips to help you out:
- Use Insulated or Temperature-Control Packaging: To protect your medical supplies from external elements and maintain a constant temperature range, using insulated packaging is advised. You can choose from DHL Express’s range of temperature-sensitive packaging solutions based on your requirements, and handling instruction sheets will be provided to guide you through the subsequent preparation.
- Proper Sealing: Make sure all packages are properly sealed with strong adhesive tape, and double-check that all seals are intact before shipping.
Yes, you can ship prescription drugs and medical supplies internationally with DHL Express once we’ve identified your business as an approved Medical Express shipper. However, to enjoy a seamless shipping experience, it’s also important to prepare the necessary documents4:
- A commercial invoice;
- A packing list;
- Any applicable permits, licenses and Material Safety Data Sheet.
If you require further assistance, our team is happy to help.
Yes, biological samples can be shipped through the DHL Express WMX service. Our dedicated life sciences team is trained to handle UN3373 Category B biological substances with an approved corporate account, ensuring your samples are transported with care and in full compliance with regulations and safety protocols.
Yes, you can ship medicine internationally using the DHL Express WMX service, though certain restrictions and regulations may apply based on the type of medicine and export destination. The WMX service is specifically designed for the delivery of medicines and medical equipment, and our team is trained in handling medical shipments, enabling you to enjoy peace of mind knowing that your shipment is in good hands.
1 – Institute of Health Policy, September 2024
2 – Technavio, September 2024
3 – Guidelines for Handling and Storage of Vaccines in the Private Sector, June 2009
4 – Export Procedure 2020, 2020
