UPS Ireland received Good Distribution Practice re-certification for healthcare products

Irish network meets all EU standards for shipping non-refrigerated healthcare products of pharmaceutical and medicinal products.

 UPS Ireland has once again received a Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification from Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Zertifizierung von Managementsystemen (DQS GmBH), the global provider of assessments and certifications of management systems and processes, extending the period for a further 12 months. The certificate confirms that UPS meets all EU standards for the shipment of non-refrigerated healthcare products for human consumption.

Speaking on UPS’ achievement and commitment to EU standards, Cathy O’Brien, Vice President for International Sales, UPS Healthcare said: “We are making significant investments in our healthcare business in Ireland. Our focus is on developing a resilient global supply chain for our MedTech and pharma customers. Our growing network is enhanced by our new Dublin facility and a ‘fast lane’ service for transporting critical and temperature sensitive medical products. Ireland is a world leader in research, biologics, and healthcare innovation. We are confident that our clinical to commercial service offering will drive value for the Irish healthcare and economic ecosystem in the years to come.”

The pharmaceutical and medical technology sector in Ireland has ballooned in recent years, with the country now a leader in pharma and medical devices – exporting 50% of Europe’s pharmaceuticals from the world’s leading bio-pharmaceutical companies.

The certification means that UPS Healthcare’s customers will continue to benefit from reduced barriers for shipments. Restrictions and certain administration requirements such as special risk assessments otherwise needed for pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical producers can be omitted.

To meet growing demand, UPS will later this year open a first-of-its-kind healthcare facility in Dublin. Initially creating 30 jobs, the facility will cover nearly 6,000 m² dedicated to Ireland’s growing pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. It also launched and expanded UPS® Premier, a tech-enabled service that offers real-time visibility and data within 3 metres (10 feet) of a package, anywhere within the network, alongside improved re-routing, and package recovery.

As part of these investments, UPS Healthcare also acquired Bomi Group at the end of 2022. UPS Healthcare customers have access to 217 facilities with over 1.5 million square metres of GMP and GDP-compliant healthcare distribution space in 37 countries and territories.

With 2,500+ auditors, 63,000+ certificates, 80+ international offices, DQS was founded more than 35 years ago by the German Society for Quality (DGQ), the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and other German industry associations with the claim to perform certifications and audits for organisations worldwide at the highest level.