IEA GDP Passport accreditation awarded to 4 companies
Dublin, Monday 17th September 2018: Life Sciences International, a division of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), today announced 4 companies that have qualified for, and been awarded, the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Passport. These companies include:
- G Heyn & Sons, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Glynn’s Transport, Milltown, Co. Galway
- Polar International, Newry, Northern Ireland
- Leatrans International, Limerick, Co. Limerick
The GDP Passport, a training initiative by the IEA, is the first of its kind and ensures patient safety through regulatory compliance throughout all stages of the supply chain to safeguard the quality of medicinal products. Manufacturers can now ensure that pharmaceutical and medical devices / products are transported, stored and handled in accordance to GDP regulations and guidelines through dealing with GDP Passport holders only.
To attain the highly valued GDP Passport, businesses have to undergo a wholly standardised and certified rigorous training procedure to be able to educate all levels of personnel, directly or indirectly, involved within the supply chain, the manufacturing or the service provisions through distribution activities.
The GDP Passport operates in four stages:
- GDP Champion – nominate and train one Champion to oversee the GDP processes
- GDP Introduction – train all key personnel (operations and warehouse employees) involved in supply chain
- GDP Driver – train all drivers involved in transporting LifeSciences products
- GDP Audit – an audit of the premises to ensure procedures are in place to meet the requirements of the GDP Passport Scheme which is subsequently reviewed and approved by the IEA Life Sciences Steering committee
David Clarke, Managing Director of G Heyn said: “G Heyn & Sons are delighted that we have met the high standards required to achieve the GDP Passport accreditation from the Irish Exporters Association. This is a testament to our continuous investment in training and development of our staff and to the quality of the management processes that we employ within our business. The GDP Passport provides our customers and prospective customers with the assurance and confidence G Heyn & Sons can deliver their specialist shipping requirements.”
Padraig Glynn, Managing Director, Glynns Transport and Distribution commented: “We’re delighted to have been awarded the GDP accreditation as it further demonstrates the excellence that we as a business seek to deliver to our customers on an ongoing basis. We place an enormous focus on operating at the highest industry standards and we are excited about building on this achievement as we look to grow our operations across Ireland, the UK and continental Europe.”
Cormac McAvoy, Business Development / Quality Manager, Polar International stated: “Polar International specialises in cold chain distribution of Life Sciences products and is delighted to be awarded the GDP passport, which focusses our commitment to continuous professional standards in the transport and logistics sector. The pharmaceutical and medical device industry operates in a highly regulated environment and the GDP Passport for Polar International reinforces our commitment to quality and regulations.”
Ruth Hyland, Quality and Compliance Specialist, Leatrans International stated: ‘’Leatrans International are delighted to be awarded the GDP Passport. This Certification demonstrates the significant investment we have made in our people and processes whilst reinforcing our commitment in ensuring compliance and patient safety throughout the supply chain.’’
Speaking on the accreditation, Simon McKeever, Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association commented: “Good manufacturing practice and good distribution practice need to work hand in hand and vigilance by all concerned in the supply chain is vital to ensure patient safety. The number of subcontracted companies involved in the supply chain for biopharmaceutical products with different modes of transport and temperature control has increased significantly. Collaboration between all parties, including manufacturers, logistics service providers, ports and airports, is crucial to ensure anti-theft and anti-counterfeit procedures, product integrity and patient safety. The Irish Exporters Association has been at the forefront of informing the Irish pharma supply chain of their GDP requirements through the IEA GDP Passport initiative. The IEA GDP Passport certification has become the gold standard for GDP in Ireland with all leading logistics service providers in the field now having obtained certification. As the pharma sector has grown in Ireland, the IEA has played a key role in ensuring that companies can reach and exceed the required compliance role in assuring quality of the supply chain and distribution of pharmaceutical and medical device products.”
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