Sending samples may not sound like be a big deal for most people engaged in the medical trade but do you really know how to do it correctly? Today, Ddu will share our tips on effective sample delivery.

To fully understand the concept, look at the following case. A biopharmaceutical company was in the process of promoting its exclusive biological medicine globally. One of their leading salesmen received an email from her client in South Africa who started their interest in the product and asked for samples to test on their patients.

This was of course a great opportunity but after the excitement wore off, the salesman realized that the client gave no details such as quantity and indications regarding the samples.

This is something that happens more often than you might think and it happens to all of us.

The purpose for sending samples is to prove the efficacy of a product, if patients are successfully cured, you gain the trust of your client which leads to repeated orders.

In order to make the process of sending medical samples easier, follow the following four steps.

I. Elaborate on your product’s introduction

Apply the medicine according to the indications, so it’s necessary to get your clients to know your products.

At Ddu, we regularly present the product introduction with the help of a PPT and a video.  If, for example, the product is for injection, an additional video of the whole procedure is great for better understanding.

Also add the characteristics and suggestions in an email as follows:

• Indications
• Applicable departmentsand subjects
• Contraindications
• Side effects and emergency measures
• Usage and combination    

II. Confirmation ofquantity

After providing basic information of the product, the next step is to confirm the quantity of samples with your clients.

It’s also helpful to enclose relevant clinical literature of the products in email on the specific use of the samples to further assure the indications, therapeutic schedules and quantity.

If your clients have patients of their own, ask for the information of the patients such as their diseases, current therapeutic schedules, results etc. This will allow you to offer appropriate therapeutic schedules of the samples.

III. Confirmation of sample packing

Send high definition photos of the samples showing both the inner and outer packing. More importantly, learn the requirements of samples from your clients such as language and content on the tags of outer packing. This is essential to ensure that the samples clear customs and gain approval by doctors.

IV. Confirmation oftransportation and freight

When looking at the example of the biosimilar products, it’s important to keep in mind that most of these products require cold-chain logistics.

It’s thus advised to work out an estimated freight according to gross weight or size of the samples for your clients.

In the event that the product haven’t been approved in its target market, there are two ways of delivery.

• Ask your clients to apply for a one-time permit for import fromthe local ministry of health.
• Choose international logistic(like DHL)

These four simple step are all you need! If you have any questions, feel free to let us know!