How Mounjaro Should Be Delivered and Stored: Safety, Temperatures, and Your Rights
A little about how Mounjaro should be delivered: pharmacies pack it in cold-chain packaging, ship it within strict temperature limits, and take responsibility if something goes wrong.
Pharmacies should deliver Mounjaro using proper cold-chain procedures—users shouldn’t have to raise this issue, but some UK pharmacies continue to ignore the standards. No pharmacy listed on Monj should be shipping without wool and ice. Patients using some companies not listed on Monj have reported deliveries that fail to meet basic temperature safety standards, raising fresh concerns about how couriers are handling this essential medication during transit.
This guide shows your pharmacy how to ship Mounjaro properly, explains the temperature rules, and tells you what steps you can take, and what you can claim if anything goes wrong.
What Eli Lilly Says: How Mounjaro Should Be Delivered in the UK
Eli Lilly UK advises that pharmacies should take full responsibility for delivering Mounjaro under strict cold-chain conditions. They should keep the medication at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C throughout the entire journey, from the moment they dispatch it to the moment the patient receives it. This ensures the medicine stays safe, effective, and stable during transit. Pharmacies must use proper refrigerated packaging and insulated materials to ensure the pens stay within this range throughout transit.
Once the pharmacy dispenses the pen and removes it from refrigeration, the patient can store it at temperatures up to 30°C for a maximum of 30 days, but only after breaking the cold chain.
The Basics: What Delivery Should Look Like
Mounjaro is a temperature-sensitive medicine. To keep it safe and effective, the pharmacy must deliver it in packaging that protects it from both heat and cold fluctuations. Pharmacies in the UK should be doing the following:
- Using wool insulation to regulate the internal temperature of the package.
- Including one ice pack during cooler weather (generally below 12°C).
- Using two ice packs during warmer periods, particularly in spring and summer, or when daytime highs exceed 15–18°C.
The packaging must keep the medication between 2°C and 8°C for at least 24–48 hours.
What Happens If the Pen Warms Up?
Once your pen leaves refrigerated storage (above 8°C), you may use it only if you meet all the following conditions.
- The temperature must not exceed 30°C at any point.
- From the moment the pen warms up, you have a maximum of 30 days to use it.
- After those 30 days, even if the pen looks fine, you must not use it.
This 30-day limit applies whether the pen is in your home, a delivery van, or sitting in a parcel locker. It’s a safety limit based on manufacturer stability data.
Why Warm Weather Poses a Real Risk
How Mounjaro Should Be Delivered & Vehicles
Some pharmacies may assume that because it’s only 20–22°C outside, one ice pack is enough. But this overlooks a key detail: temperatures inside a parked delivery van can be much higher than the outdoor temperature.
For example:
- On a 21°C sunny day, the internal temperature of a vehicle parked in the sun can quickly reach 36°C or more.
- If a courier leaves a package near a van door or window, it can expose the pen to direct heat for long periods, especially during multi-stop routes.
- This means that without proper insulation and two ice packs, the medication inside could easily exceed safe limits before reaching you.
How to Check If Your Pen Is Safe
When your Mounjaro arrives, take these steps immediately:
- Open the package and check the temperature of the ice pack — it should still feel cold or cool.
- Look at the pen: the solution inside should be clear and colourless. If it looks cloudy or discoloured, do not use it.
- Check the pen yourself, and call the pharmacy for advice if you find it warm or can’t confirm how long it stayed in the heat.
What If It Was Too Warm? Know Your Rights
Mounjaro counts as an essential prescription medicine. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the right to receive goods that are of acceptable quality and fit for their intended use.
If your delivery arrives late, feels warm, or lacks proper packaging, you can:
- Ask the pharmacy to replace the pen if you believe heat may have damaged it.
- Ask for a refund if you no longer wish to proceed with the order.
- Raise a complaint with the pharmacy or escalate to a regulatory body if needed.
This is especially important when pharmacies fail to meet their responsibilities in safely handling cold-chain products.
Key Summary: Temperature Rules and What to Do
| Situation | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Delivered with cold pack, pen still cool | Safe to store in fridge or use within 30 days |
| Delivered warm but under 30°C | Potentially still usable, within 30 days of dispatch, seek advice |
| Delivered over 30°C | Unsafe — contact pharmacy immediately |
| Over 30 days since cold chain was broken | Do not use the pen |
| Not sure if it was exposed to heat? | Contact pharmacy if unsure. |
If you receive Mounjaro by post, trust that the pharmacy handles your medication properly. If you’re a pharmacy, it’s your responsibility to ensure packaging, storage, and delivery methods meet these clear safety standards.
Disclaimer: This guide does not offer medical advice. Always contact your pharmacy if you have questions about your medication, delivery, or storage. Only trained professionals can give you advice based on your specific circumstances.