GDP audits

Guidelines of Good Distribution Practice (GDP) are meant to ensure that the quality level established in manufacturng by applying GMP guidelines is maintained during distribution as well. Only in this way can one be sure that high-quality active ingredients or finished medicinal products reach further processing or end-clients in their unchanged form. Supply chain security also focuses on falsifications and larceny in the supply chain, which pose an increasing threat to the end-users as well.

Supply chain security

Falsified Medicines Directive 2011/62/EC, published in 2011, affects the supply chain security and good distribution practice (GDP) in many ways. For one thing, pharmaceutical companies face more stringent requirements. Holders of manufacturing authorisations are required not only to prove manufacture of an imported active ingredient in accordance with the GMP, but also distribution in line with the GDP.

For all practical purposes, this means that each and every company that plays a role in the supply chain, i.e. retailers, logistics service providers or repackagers, should undergo regular monitoring. Such a requirement is part of the modified version of Directive 2001/83/EC. Part 2 of the EU-GMP Guide applies to GDP audits as well; the relevant Chapter 17 of the Guide should be emphasised during audits. Blue has been requiring these fundamental principles for quite a while already, for instance during active ingredients audits, since the actual deficiencies swiftly come under scrutiny by authorities and must be rectified without delay.

In the area of excipients, Directive 2011/62/EC leads to more stringent requirements in the GMP domain as well as in the GDP domain. Relevant rules and regulations exist for excipients such as the IPEC GMP/GDP Guidelines.

For finished medicinal products, a draft of a new EC GDP Guide has been published. This guide extensively broadens the requirements in this area. Blue Inspection Body GmbH offers audits based on this directive (e.g. for logistics service providers, retailers).

Contact

Blue Inspection Body GmbH
Am Mittelhafen 56
48155 Muenster, Germany
Phone: +49 251 9759950-100

contact(at)blue-inspectionREMOVETHIS.com