Kuehne + Nagel, a leading global logistics provider, is the first company to receive the Good Distribution Practice Passport from Life Sciences Ireland, an industry grouping within the Irish Exporters Association.
The voluntary code of Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for Life Science Products (pharmaceuticals, chemicals, diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology) was launched by the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) on October 23, 2009 in Dublin.
It is the culmination of two years of development work between the IEA, Irish life sciences manufacturers, the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) and logistics companies providing services to the sector. The GDP standard recognises an increased need for further compliance and regulatory requirements in the international supply chain; logistics companies that comply with a set of defined criteria may be awarded the Life Sciences Ireland GDP Passport.
Kuehne + Nagel is the first company to complete all phases of the GDP compliance training and to have met the criteria necessary to become a GDP Passport holder. Measures that the company has taken to achieve this include:
· The appointment and certification of a GDP champion at senior management level within the organisation;
· Training and certification of all operational, sales and key account staff involved in the movement of pharmaceutical and healthcare products to GDP approved standards;
· Training and certification of transport subcontractors and their drivers who are involved in the transportation of pharmaceutical and healthcare products to GDP approved standards;
· Premises (storage), equipment (transportation) and processes (quality systems) meet the criteria specified under GDP EU Guidelines 94/ C 6303 and applicable IMB regulations.
On launching the GDP code, John Whelan, Chief Executive Officer for the Irish Exporters Associations, commented that Kuehne + Nagel had shown “tremendous dedication to meeting the stringent training needs of the life sciences industry.”
“Kuehne + Nagel has been providing logistics services to the life sciences industry in Ireland for ten years, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to the highest standards of compliance and quality,” said Marcus Bennett, Managing Director for Kuehne + Nagel in Ireland. ”The achievement of this new accreditation allows us to be well positioned to continue supporting the sector which is extremely important for the Irish economy.”
