DRIVER TRAINING

DRIVER TRAINING – the demand for trained drivers

Haulage management are under constant pressure to urgently fill driving seats to keep stock and goods moving. It is not implausible that promised driver training after hiring (in many cases) may not actually materialise, as management may feel unable to implement a training schedule due to the constant need to keep stock moving from place to place, particularly as (at the time of writing), running costs are as high as they have ever been.

Consequently, we may have drivers unfamiliar with the required GDP compliance handling medicinal stock. This has contributed to an ongoing situation (at the time of writing) around haulage and courier driver shortages due to changes in the import/export arrangements post-Brexit. Time and schedule constraints upon hauliers means driver training could be compromised or at worst, simply not undertaken.

This could increase the risk to the products’ quality which in turn, may endanger the safety of the patient.

Paradigm Shift Consulting Limited has recognised the need for GDP compliance training of newly hired drivers (as well as on-going refresher training of existing drivers) and to that end have created a new driver training course.

Driver Training – Compliance

It is a requirement of all drivers from small vans up to HGV articulated trucks to have had driver training in GDP compliance to a level of acceptable competence, as required by the MHRA (Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency) and in accordance with Chapter 9 of the EU GDP Guidelines (2013/C 343/01), and the HMR 2012.

The new Driver Training course will introduce you to the basic requirements of GDP and will assist you in attaining a level of compliance competence that will help you withstand inspection scrutiny.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• Regular vehicle checks
• On-board equipment/consumables inventory
• Correct conduct and procedures at loading bays and with clients
• Care and attention with payloads, including correct loading.

It is worth noting that in line with GDP requirements, drivers ought to be trained to an acceptable level of compliance competence and awareness before taking up their posts.

It still goes on: An example…

Paradigm Shift Consulting know of one pharmacy outlet not too long ago, who ordered a specialist product which was taking a long time to be delivered. The pharmacy enquired as to the product’s whereabouts. The papers submitted to the pharmacy by the driver of a well-known wholesaler as “proof” of delivery, indicated that the missing goods were delivered, but in fact they had not. The efficient procedures of the pharmacy indicated that the product was not delivered.

The pharmacy insisted on seeing the documents that were supposedly authentic proof of delivery that the supplier possessed. It transpired that the name of the person responsible for signing for the incoming goods was not only spelt incorrectly, but the signature was also completely different! The supplier checked their in-vehicle CCTV and it was revealed that the goods were stolen by the driver and he had attempted to forge the signature of the receiving pharmacy’s staff member. Replacement goods were later promptly delivered with an apology, free of charge.
The original medicines were never recovered.

This account demonstrates the importance of driver training, trained staff, GDP compliance, good documentation and adherence to the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). The afore-mentioned pharmacy’s own compliance to GDP and their QMS (Quality Management System) stood them in good stead.

What impression would you like to make?

The driver is the “face” of the company he or she drives/delivers for and is often the only point of physical contact with suppliers, especially in Covid-19 restricted environments. It is therefore extremely important that driver training is fully undertaken to a competent level of GDP awareness.
Poor examples of behaviour, knowledge and payload handling are noticed by trained staff receiving the goods.

Visit our training website using the link button below to register and purchase the course for yourself and your driver/s. The following links connect to useful and informative sources:

• Blog Page (this website)
• Blog Page (GDP Training Website)
• EU GDP Guidelines (2013/C 343/01) [specifically Chapter 2 and Chapter 9)

You can also call us on 0330 133 0920 or get in touch with us directly for more information using the contact form at the foot of this page.