Panalpina is currently operating the only facility for cross-docking and interim storage with airside access at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with an official GDP certification. The certificate was issued by the Dutch Ministry of Health. “This is a strong signal to our customers in the pharmaceutical industry that rely on our special services. They are required by law to audit their contractors. As a GDP certified provider we adhere to the highest quality standards and make it very easy for all of our customers to prove that they have mitigated their risk,” said Thomas Berger, Global Head of Industry Vertical Healthcare at Panalpina.

Two temperature-controlled cells
GDP ensures that medicinal products are distributed to retail pharmacists and other persons entitled to sell medicinal products to the general public without any alteration of their properties. Medicinal products need to be stored apart from other goods and under the conditions specified by the manufacturer in order to avoid any deterioration by light, moisture or temperature. During transport and storage specific temperature ranges have to be maintained. Panalpina’s unique state-of-the-art facility at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has temperature-controlled cells for 2 to 8 and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. It also offers re-icing services, as well as packaging services for pharmaceutical customers.

Commitment to pharmaceutical industry
The facility is part of Panalpina’s network of Centers of Excellence. These centers cater to the needs of the healthcare industry and all adhere to GDP. “The pharmaceutical industry operates at a high level of quality assurance. Risk mitigation is only one aspect where GDP guidelines will become even stricter in the future. The certification of our facility at Schiphol Airport demonstrates our commitment to our healthcare customers that are operating in an increasingly demanding environment,” said Peter Herling, Panalpina’s Managing Director for Belgium and the Netherlands.

Bettina Heinrich