After the recent discussion in the mailbase about the postage of 
pathological samples I decided to seek hard information about this 
from the Post Office.

The Royal Mail web site pages dealing with the postage of 
pathological specimens is at http://royalmail.co.uk/guide/step.htm.

In summary:  Samples can be posted at the request of "recognised 
medical or veterinary sources" and appropriate packaging must be 
used.  Other groups or individuals (e.g. British Society of 
Transylvanian Vampires) must call the Post Office on 0345 740740 
for written permission to send pathological specimens through the 
post.

The Royal Mail will not now accept pathological samples destined 
for countries outside the UK because some airlines are refusing to 
carry them, but the Hazards Section of the Royal Mail have no 
plans at the current time to change the rules & regulations 
regarding the UK.

It is also forbidden to use the post to send Hazard Group 4 
organisms, although Hazard Groups 1, 2, and 3 may be 
transmitted postally. This is really only going to affect the PHLS 
amongst us - but then again they're hardly going to be sending 
Lassa Fever cultures to one another through the mail !

Your contact at the Royal Mail is:

Lisa Row
Hazards Section
C/O Royal Mail
FREEPOST
5 Almeida Street
London N1 1BR

Te;: 0345-950950
Fax:  0171-239 3385

Best wishes,

Nick Miller,

London




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