Ground handler dnata has been awarded the Good Distribution Practice certification by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

According to dnata, the MHRA granted full Wholesaler Dealer Authorisation after dnata completed the agency’s Good Distribution Programme. In order to achieve certification, dnata was required to either review or make enhancements to its quality systems, operations documentation and facilities management practices. The company took just six months to complete the process.

“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 Gary Morgan, CEO of dnata UK. “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.”

The new technology includes a 24-hour warehouse-monitoring system which can conduct temperature mapping and advise dnata operators ahead of any deviations. During the cold front across the UK in March 2018, this helped dnata prepare for the plummeting temperatures and ensure that all pharma shipments followed the optimum route, at temperatures that limited the risk of spoilage.

Automated handling systems that can store pharmaceuticals at variable temperature ranges have also been installed, according to dnata.