IAG Cargo and Exelsius to launch Good Distribution Practice Academy workshop

IAG Cargo and Exelsius have teamed up to provide the healthcare and life science industry with a unique and certificated training workshop in good distribution practices (GDP).

In the global world of transporting and distributing temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and life science products, compliance with GDP regulation is essential. Revised EU guidance and other international rules also make it clear that all those involved in processing and handling these sensitive commodities must be properly trained.

By forming the Good Distribution Practice Academy, IAG Cargo Constant Climate and Exelsius are able to combine classroom training in the correct handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, with a visit to an airport airside area. Students will be able to witness the handling process at the Heathrow IAG Cargo ‘constant climate centre’ and other international locations, meeting the operational team that handles pharmaceutical and life science shipments across the globe to GDP standards.

With the introductory workshop being held in London on 11–12 November, the event will be of significant interest to all stakeholders in the logistics supply chain for temperature-sensitive healthcare products. Demand is expected to be high and further courses are planned.

In a joint statement, Alan Dorling, global head — pharmaceuticals & life sciences at IAG Cargo and Tony Wright, CEO of Exelsius said: “IAG Cargo, through its constant climate service, is one of the world’s leading airline carriers of pharmaceutical and life science products and has invested heavily in facilities, processes and systems to meet GDP requirements. It has also undertaken a significant certificated training programme for its staff using Exelsius and both companies are pleased to be participating in this unique collaboration that will further drive up the standards of handling temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and life science products.