A method and an apparatus (A) are disclosed, for transferring a plurality of tubular receptacles (1) made of a fragile material, suitable for containing doses of medicinal substances, for example barrels (1) for syringes or vials, from containers (2, 20), in which the receptacles (1) are housable separated from one another, to a packing machine (M) for processing the receptacles (1). Each container (2, 20) houses a multiplicity of receptacles (1) and is transportable by a conveyor line (L) towards the packing machine (M). The method includes the following steps: a. collecting a plurality of receptacles (1) from a container (2, 20), maintaining the receptacles (1) separated from one another b. arranging the collected receptacles (1) at an inlet (I) of the packing machine (M), in a predefined formation and kept separated from one another, and c. bringing the receptacles (1), collected and arranged in the preceding steps, into the packing machine (M), maintaining them separated from one another, so that the packing machine (M) can receive and process them.
