Tarrant International awarded GDP Passport

The Irish Exporters Association is delighted to announce that Tarrant International have been awarded their Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Passport. The GDP Passport, ran by the IEA, is necessary to comply with EU regulation to help ensure the safe handling, security and quality of medical products is maintained throughout the supply chain.

In order to be awarded the highly valued GDP Passport, businesses have to undergo an exclusively standardised and certified rigorous training procedure so that all levels of staff involved in the working of the supply chain are educated, either directly or indirectly, in the manufacturing or the service provisions of 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 life sciences 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.

The Director of Tarrant International, Donagh Tarrant commented: “We are delighted to be awarded the GDP Passport which verifies our credentials in transporting Pharmaceutical & Healthcare goods European wide. This reflects our investment & dedication to the highest distribution, hygiene & quality standards to deliver a top-quality service to our customers & in turn their patient safety.”

Chief Executive of the IEA Simon McKeever commented that: “I am delighted to announce that Tarrant International have acquired the GDP Passport. Tarrant International have a strong track record in supply chain operations and their diversified fleet reflects the spread of services they offer. Holding a GDP passport is of upmost importance in assuring the quality of the supply chain and distribution of pharmaceutical and medical devices products. Acquiring the passport requires dedication and rigorous assessment, both of which Tarrant have fulfilled. The IEA GDP Passport is the first of its kind and ensures compliance and safety throughout the whole supply chain.”