YourRetailCoach (YRC) stresses the need for robust SOPs in Pharma Manufacturing

From life-saving medicines to cure for the common cold, the human race is heavily dependent on the pharma industry for its health and healthcare requirements.

Both public and private sector enterprises in the pharma industry have a tremendous responsibility on their shoulders in ensuring that they are able to address, forecast and meet the global standards and requirements of securing public health in good condition. Having sound processes and operations help these businesses ensure that their products and services deliver the intended value to the end-users.

And the key to it is better business process management (BPM) through SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

Quality Control

Quality is a critical consideration for businesses in the pharma industry , especially for the manufacturers and suppliers because the burden of ensuring quality originates from the source of raw materials. Last year it was observed that the global demand for hand sanitizers and face masks surged unprecedentedly.

The pharma industry was not ready to handle such levels of demand. But months later the supply in the market was boosted with inferior quality products priced exorbitantly.

The problem was the entry of a large number of small, ad-hoc and new players in the market with poor concerns for product quality.

This happens and will happen every time processes and QC measures are sent for a toss.

Ground for automation

Automation speeds up processes and operations. But to automate an activity, it must be given a definition in terms of operational standards and procedures.

This will help in identifying the automation requirements. Businesses that are not process-oriented find it difficult to map their automation needs.

Standardization

When there is consistency in how a process is being carried out, it leads to scope for improvement. This improvement shows up in resource utilization, quality of output, lesser operational errors, etc.

It calls for establishing the roadmap for carrying out a process otherwise compliance to it cannot be achieved. This technique of establishing the standards of how a process must be carried out is what we know as standardization.

SOPs are the means through which organizations incorporate the required operational standards in the execution of their business processes.

Inventory Management

Inventory management has two important operational aspects - paperwork and physical. The paperwork (which is also done digitally) deals with initiating purchase indents, communication between departments and with suppliers/distributors, bookkeeping of incoming and outgoing inventory, quality control reporting, etc.

The physical aspect is related to activities that involve tangible interaction with inventory like counting, measuring, quality checks, lifting, loading, dispatching, etc. Both the paperwork and physical aspects must go hand-in-hand following the right sequence.

This calls for a process-oriented approach for planning and executing inventory management activities. These two aspects will not work in tandem if inventory management processes and operations are not planned and mapped to achieve the objectives of the inventory function.

Supply chain management

To be able to meet the market demand consistently and efficiently, the supply chain must be working without glitches. This cannot happen by itself. Supply chain is a massive function comprising inventory management, production, logistics, warehousing, distribution and delivery and returns management.

All these functions and processes must work perfectly not only as individual departments but also in cohesion with one another. SOPs can define the operational framework of every process in every department/function and is also the operational language that can define the network of interdepartmental functioning.

Identifying training needs

Training needs and specifications cannot be identified where the work procedures are not defined. With procedures in place, it becomes feasible to follow and keep track of the strengths and weaknesses in performances.

The struggling areas in performance could be identified when the actual work and results deviate from the standards set.

Organization

Every business needs a strong organization structure to function as one unit. There could be multiple departments, projects, processes, and operations, all going on at the same time.

There are interdependencies involved and a need for synchronized functioning. Where the processes and systems are poorly designed and mapped, these interdependencies cannot actualize which will eventually lead to disruptions in the flow of communication and work across the organization. 

The core and support functions are critical for any business including ones in the pharmaceutical industry.

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YourRetailCoach
Category: eCommerce Solutions and Developers Profile: Your Retail Coach (YRC) is a retail consulting and outsourcing company in India offering a wide range of services in retail offline, retail eCommerce, and retail omnichannel catering to a multitude of industries. Your Retail Coach (YRC) helps retailers and retail enterprises set up their eCommerce business right from planning (eCommerce business consulting) to implementation. Our experience and expertise in both offline and online retail channels will help businesses overcome challenges in adop ...