A second Good Distribution Practice (GDP) academy training course organised by IAG Cargo and Exelsius was attended by students from the UK, the Netherlands, Korea and Switzerland.
Aimed at improving industry compliance to GDP standards for healthcare and life science products, the two-day course offered a combination of classroom training and an airport airside visit to the IAG Cargo Constant Climate Centre.
Participants included freight forwarders, logistic service providers, training organisations and ground handling companies, with students awarded a certificate of completion to the required GDP standard.
Tony Wright, chief executive of Exelsius, commented: “The course programme was designed to provide students with an understanding of the compliance needs of GDP from a truly end–to-end perspective and uses many interactive methods of teaching.”
One participant was Andrew Taylor, operations development manager EMEA at PDP Couriers, who commented: “An excellent overview of how GDP impacts and how it should be applied within the airfreight environment.”
With the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency requiring all those handling temperature-sensitive healthcare products to obtain a Wholesale Dealers Authorisation, Tony Roberts, UK & Ireland GM cargo operational services at Swissport, also found it particularly useful: “Great lessons, well presented and resulting in lots learnt.”
IAG Cargo and Exelsius expect to extend the GDP academy, with further courses planned for India, the UK and Europe.
Alan Dorling, global head of pharmaceutical and life sciences at IAG Cargo, said: “I am delighted that all delegates found the unique course enhanced their understanding of GDP and the standards required throughout the end-to-end supply chain to achieve certification.”
Air Cargo News is holding its annual Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals Conference in December, if you'd like more details, click here
