dnata earns certification for Good Distribution Practice by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Accreditation from UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency reinforces ground handler’s commitment to quality and safety
LONDON, UK, 2018-Apr-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Global air services provider and UK’s leading ground handler, dnata, has been awarded certification for Good Distribution Practice (GDP) by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UK MHRA).
The UK MHRA granted dnata full Wholesaler Dealer Authorisation (WDA) after dnata completed the organisation’s Good Distribution Programme, while simultaneously investing into cutting-edge pharma handling technology at several of its facilities.
dnata’s investment includes a sophisticated 24-hour warehouse monitoring system that has the ability to conduct temperature mapping and advise dnata operators ahead of any deviation in temperature. This, in, turn enables pre-planning, quick response to adapt to adverse weather conditions and assessment of potential transport routes for pharma products.
Temperature mapping is also routinely conducted within dnata’s facilities in the summer and winter to gauge average temperatures.
This leading-edge technology recently paid dividends when the cold front struck in early March and temperatures across the UK plummeted. dnata was able to prepare for the severe temperature onslaught, and ensure that all pharmaceuticals handled followed the optimum route, at temperatures that limited the risk of spoilage.
In addition, the company has installed automated handling systems that can store pharmaceuticals at variable temperature ranges.
In order to achieve certification, dnata was required to either review or make enhancements to its quality systems, operations documentation and facilities management practices – a 12 to 24-month process that it completed in just six months.
“We have invested in pharma-handling facilities across the UK in response to customer demand and in recognition of the growing importance of pharma cold-chain logistics,” said dnata UK CEO Gary Morgan.
“With world-class technology already in place at our facilities, the next logical step was to ensure standards compliance and achieve UK MHRA certification. These initiatives not only demonstrate our ongoing focus on safety and quality, but also reinforce our commitment to our airline customers who operate in the fast-growing pharmaceutical transportation sector. ”
About dnata
dnata is one of the world’s largest air services providers. Established in 1959, the company ensures the aviation industry operates smoothly and efficiently in 129 airports. Offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services in 84 countries across six continents, dnata is a trusted partner for over 400 airline customers around the world. Each day, the company handles over 1,700 flights, carries over 7,700 tonnes of cargo, assists over 235,000 passengers, books over 19,000 hotel stays, and uplifts over 320,000 meals.
dnata entered the ground handling market in the UK in 2010. Today, it operates services in 16 airports, handling 5.6 million passengers, over 17,000 aircraft turnarounds a year and 750,000 tonnes of cargo.
Collectively, dnata employs more than 2300 people in the UK and more than 39,000 globally, across its cargo, catering, ground handling and travel businesses. dnata’s global revenues in FY 2016/17 were 12.2bn AED (approx. GBP 4.2bn).
About dnata
dnata is one of the world’s largest air services providers. Established in 1959, the company ensures the aviation industry operates smoothly and efficiently in 129 airports. Offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services in 84 countries across six continents, dnata is a trusted partner for over 400 airline customers around the world. Each day, the company handles over 1,700 flights, carries over 7,700 tonnes of cargo, assists over 235,000 passengers, books over 19,000 hotel stays, and uplifts over 320,000 meals.
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SOURCE: dnata