EFL strengthens pharmaceutical logistics by becoming 1st GDP certified 3PL service provider

Monday, 29 March 2021 00:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The team from EFL 3PL receiving the GDP certification from Bureau Veritas Country General Manager Shan Nanayakara and Bureau Veritas Assistant Manager Manesh Umakanthan

EFL 3PL, a member of the leading conglomerate Expolanka Holdings PLC, was certified by Bureau Veritas as a ‘GDP certified 3PL service provider’ for its pharmaceutical supply chain, thereby making it the first logistics company in Sri Lanka to obtain this certification.

This internationally reputed certification cements the company’s new focus on expanding its pharma vertical in keeping with its vision of offering best-in-class compliance standards to its customers. Bureau Veritas is a globally recognised leader in certifications of management systems, ensuring organisations comply with international standards.

The Good Distribution Practices (GDP) Certification for Pharmaceuticals secured by EFL 3PL demonstrates the company’s dedication to good distribution practices and quality in every aspect of its service offerings. In essence, Good Distribution Practices (GDP) is a quality system for warehouse and distribution centres dedicated for medicines. The scheme ensures that consistent quality management systems are in place throughout your entire supply chain, from the early delivery of raw materials to the manufacturing plants, to the final shipment of finished drugs to the end user.

“Within a short period of time EFL has successfully established itself as a forerunner in healthcare logistics regionally, the GDP certification provides our valuable clients with the added reassurance that their precious cargo is being stored, managed and transported in the best possible manner in accordance to global best practices,” said EFL Managing Director Saif Yusoof.

A valid GDP certificate demonstrates that EFL 3PL is committed to quality in every aspect of its service, and is a vital partner of the healthcare supply chain. The certification ensures adherence to high standards of quality assurance and integrity of the distribution processes of pharmaceutical products; uniformity in licensing of wholesaling of pharmaceutical products; and facilitating removal of barriers to trade in pharmaceutical products.

“By being the first to achieve the GDP Certification, Expolanka has demonstrated its commitment to uphold the quality and integrity of pharmaceutical products throughout the supply chain,” said Bureau Veritas Country General Manager Shan Nanayakara.

During the pharmaceutical GDP certification process, highly-qualified independent auditors analysed various facets of EFL 3PL’s operations, including Organisation and Management; Personnel; Quality System including the traceability process; Premises, warehousing and storage (storage condition and stock control) Transportation and products in transit; Complaint Handling and many other critical areas.

Commenting on the certification, EFL 3PL and Freeport Director Sammy Akbar said: “We are committed to uplift the standards of the 3PL industry to greater heights, being the first to receive the GDP certification is yet another testament towards that commitment. We believe that compliance is hygiene and the receipt of this valuable certification will enable and guide us to ensure that we consistently deliver a high quality of service to our customers which they have come to be accustomed to from our company.”