Published · Updated · 5 min read
Drug Storage and Shipping Labels in Canada
How to read storage conditions, temperature ranges and receiving instructions on product labels and shipping documents.
Short answer
Use the storage condition printed on the exact product label. Keep the product in its original sealed packaging, protect it from conditions the label excludes, and ask the supplier about any documented temperature excursion before accepting or using it.
The label controls
Storage requirements are product-specific. Room temperature, refrigeration and protection from light or moisture are not interchangeable instructions.
Health Canada's storage and transportation guidance says labels and shipping documents should state when a product needs prompt transfer to a specified storage temperature.
What to check when a parcel arrives
Inspect before discarding the outer packaging.
- The parcel is intact and dry.
- The product seal is unbroken.
- The package label is readable.
- The batch matches the accompanying certificate where one is supplied.
- Any temperature indicator or special receiving instruction is followed.
Temperature excursions
A temperature excursion is not automatically proof that a product is acceptable or unusable. Health Canada's guidance calls for assessment and documentation against the product's requirements. Contact the supplier and retain the packaging while that assessment is made.
After opening
Follow the exact product label and any manufacturer documentation. Do not replace the labelled closure with a decorative container, and keep the batch identifier with the product for traceability.
Primary sources
This guide is general product-documentation information, not medical advice. Regulatory records can change; verify current information with the linked authority.