MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands: November 16, 2018. Maastricht Aachen Airport has received its IATA CEIV Pharma certification for the transport, storage and handling of pharmaceuticals.

'Pharma is an important segment in airfreight. And especially here in Limburg,” said airport managing director Jos Roeven. “South Netherlands in general, but certainly also in Limburg, are known worldwide for its pharmaceutical industry. Think of companies like Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Medrad and Merit Medical.”

Roeven said he was “incredibly proud” of everyone who had “put their backs” into following the [IATA] courses, sharpening the airport’s procedures and optimizing the two temperature-controlled cold rooms for pharma.

Ben Radstaak, director of the Dutch air cargo organisation added: “With this CEIV Pharma certification we meet the need of the industry for more safety, security, compliance and efficiency by creating a worldwide consistent and recognized certification of pharmaceutical products. It even includes or replaces many of the existing standards and guidelines such as the IATA Temperature Control Regulations, European Union Good Distribution Practices, World Health Organization Annex 5 and the US Pharmacopeia Standards.”

The Dutch pharma industry is expected to grow in 2019 with the move from London to Amsterdam by the European Medicines Agency following the departure of Britain from the European Union.