What Good Distribution Practice (GDP) means for Healthcare Supply Chains

What is Good Distribution Practice (GDP)?

GDP is an international quality standard that ensures the proper handling, storage and transportation of medicinal products.

It guarantees that medicines are:

• Stored and distributed under the right conditions
• Fully traceable throughout the supply chain
• Protected from contamination, tampering and temperature fluctuations

Being GDP certified means our operations have been independently audited and meet strict requirements for safety, documentation, temperature control, quality management and staff training.

Why GDP compliance matters

In healthcare and pharmaceuticals, product quality and safety are everything. Life-saving medicines and medical devices often pass through multiple hands – manufacturers, freight hubs, warehouses, and delivery networks, before reaching patients and healthcare providers. At every stage, there’s potential risk to product quality, safety and integrity.

At NNR, we understand that for pharmaceutical and healthcare customers, precision and compliance are non- that negotiable and we recognise responsibility. That’s why we’re proud to be Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certified- a mark of trust and assurance for our healthcare and pharmaceutical partners. It demonstrates that our operations meet the EC Guidelines on Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use.

Our certification confirms that we meet the standards for:

• Contracted freight forwarding activities by road, sea, and air of medicinal products for human use
• Ambient storage
• Outsourcing of temperature-controlled, cold-chain transport and temperature-sensitive storage

How this benefits our Healthcare and Pharmaceutical partners

When you partner with a GDP-certified logistics provider like NNR, you can be confident your products are handled safely, securely and in full compliance every step of the way.

• Temperature integrity you can trust

From ambient to cold-chain, our facilities and transport networks maintain the right conditions at every stage, protecting the stability and efficacy of your products, wherever they’re headed.

• Complete visibility, every step of the way

Every shipment is meticulously documented and tracked, giving you full confidence and auditability from the moment it leaves your site to the moment it arrives at its destination.

• People who know the value of what they handle

Our trained specialists understand that these aren’t just boxes; they’re products that impact lives. Every team member is equipped to follow GDP and customer-specific handling procedures with care and precision.

• Reducing risks, protecting reputations

With robust controls and proactive checks, we minimise the risks of damage, contamination, or non-compliance, ensuring both patient safety and the integrity of your brand.

• Aligned with global standards

Our certified practices ensure compliance not only in the UK but across international healthcare logistics standards.

Our commitment to quality and care

At NNR UK, quality isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s part of how we work every day.

We carry out regular checks to ensure continuous improvement and compliance. It’s how we keep our customers’ trust and ensure their products stay safe at every step of the journey.

Partner with a certified logistics provider

Whether you need secure storage, compliant distribution or temperature-controlled transport, our GDP-certified facilities are here to support your healthcare supply chain with confidence and care.

Contact us today – nnrlhr@nnruk.com

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