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Good Distribution Practice - Definition & Meaning | Logistics Glossary

GDP

GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Good Distribution Practice

Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is a regulatory framework that sets binding standards for the storage, handling, and transport of medicinal products, covering the entire supply chain from the manufacturing site to the pharmacy or clinical endpoint.

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Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is a regulatory framework that sets binding standards for the storage, handling, and transport of medicinal products, covering the entire supply chain from the…

It defines requirements for warehousing facilities, vehicles, staff qualifications, and documentation to preserve product quality and integrity throughout distribution.

Freight forwarders and contract logistics providers handling pharmaceuticals must hold GDP qualification and are subject to regular regulatory audits.

Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/good-manufacturing-and-distribution-practices_en

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Good Distribution Practice

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Definition & Explanation

Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is a regulatory framework that sets binding standards for the storage, handling, and transport of medicinal products, covering the entire supply chain from the manufacturing site to the pharmacy or clinical endpoint. It defines requirements for warehousing facilities, vehicles, staff qualifications, and documentation to preserve product quality and integrity throughout distribution. Freight forwarders and contract logistics providers handling pharmaceuticals must hold GDP qualification and are subject to regular regulatory audits. Specific provisions govern temperature-controlled transport (cold chain integrity), batch traceability, and the prevention of falsified medicines. Unlike GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), which applies during production, GDP takes effect the moment goods leave the manufacturing site.

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Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – Good Distribution Practice (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/good-distribution-practice), accessed 2026-09-14
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2025). Good Distribution Practice. Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/good-distribution-practice
BibTeX: @misc{gooddistributionpractice2025, title = {Good Distribution Practice}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2025}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/good-distribution-practice}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-09-14} }

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