Guide For Pharmaceutical Warehousing Managers
Prescription drugs are often needed by many people. Recent research shows that seven out of ten people take prescribed medication. Because of their high turnover, they must be stored properly.
Bad storage can lead to medication being lost, or even poisoned. It is important to learn how to properly store and package medication so that it lasts the intended amount of time.
Medicine saves lives, and it is used every day to improve the quality life of millions of people. Warehouses must follow regulations when handling pharmaceuticals.
The supply chain for medicine begins with the manufacturer and ends up at the pharmacy. During this supply chain, the medicine is transported to and stored at multiple warehouses across the country. However, medication storage is a different game and requires different supply chains than other products.
Proper warehousing will ensure that drugs are protected from contamination. Good warehousing is essential for patients who have to wait until the last minute for their medication.
You can read more about pharmaceutical warehousing here.
What is Pharmaceutical Warehousing?
Proper storage is crucial before drugs can reach their intended recipients. FDA says that pharmaceuticals should be controlled in order to prevent counterfeits and interfer with distribution channels. The CGMP should be followed by all involved in drug warehousing.
These cgmps apply to all involved in medicine supply chains. This applies to all parties involved in the medicine supply chain, including distributors, warehouses, manufacturers and distributors. The CGMP requires that all drugs be properly stored in order to prevent contamination. It is important to inspect and clean the storage areas regularly.
Another standard is that all drugs should be divided into lots and given a barcode for traceability. Also label drugs as approved, rejected, under quarantine or shipping.
Everyone can now see the procedures used to distribute each drug. If there is a recall, be sure to include the procedures that must be followed. Include the written procedure on how each medication is stored.
Respecting these CGMP standards can be a challenge in pharmaceutical warehousing. There are many types of drugs. Each drug has its storage and handling requirements. Your warehouse must be able to handle all drug needs.
It is crucial to keep the temperature of the warehouse under control in order to avoid any damage. Pharmaceutical warehousing is a complex and expensive field. It can be difficult to store all the drugs. This increases the cost.
You can still do things to increase storage capacity and efficiency.
Tips for improving Pharmaceutical Warehousing
1. Proper Space Planning
One warehouse can store thousands of drugs. Each drug requires its own storage space. Before you start planning your pharmacy warehouse, it is important to make a plan for the storage space. It is important to know that drugs need to be stored in a cool, dry place. Some may also require freezing.
Planning your warehouse from the beginning is key to making it run smoothly. The supply chain requirements can be learned by staff members from the beginning. It is also possible to note whether you need more or less space in order to manage an increase of inventory.
2. Demand Planning
Even though pharmaceuticals are needed throughout the year, it’s possible to plan for them. You can keep cold medicine on hand during flu season. The same applies to allergy season. If you can plan for high demand times, your supply chain will run more efficiently.
3. Concept of Bin Locations
It can be difficult to navigate large warehouses for pharmaceuticals. You can use bin location to help you navigate the different levels. Bin locations can be used by staff to pinpoint the exact location of a warehouse.
4. Staff training should be ongoing
The pharmaceutical warehouse is changing rapidly thanks to technology. Training is an excellent way to keep your staff up-to-date with the latest technology. Training is a great way to teach staff about the latest software and changes coming to the warehouse. This is a great way for staff to come up with solutions to any problems in the warehouse.
5. Cross-Docking – Take advantage
Some drugs do not need extended storage. Cross-docking allows drugs to be delivered and shipped instantly. This is a great option for medication that is in high demand.
6. Choose a Partner for Pharmaceutical Warehousing
Every pharmaceutical warehouse needs the best logistic partner. Once you find the right partner, your operation will run smoothly. When looking for a partner, they must meet certain criteria. Because dealing with drugs can be extremely sensitive, they must be able and willing to operate a legitimate and transparent operation.
It is important that their trucks are kept clean and in excellent condition at all times. Drugs are highly sensitive and can be easily contaminated, which could lead to serious consequences for the recipients. To ensure safe shipping, you should make sure your logistics partner is current with security measures.
7. Proper Inventory Tracking
Pharmaceutical warehousing can be sensitive so it is essential to keep track of inventory transit and storage. For the supply chain, the best inventory tracking system is crucial. This allows staff to track all items that come in and go out.
Final words
It is difficult because pharmaceutical warehousing takes a lot expertise. It is essential to partner with the right logistics company in order to ensure smooth supply chains.
Before you get into the details, calculate the cost of setting up the warehouse. Next, plan how you will set up the warehouse. No matter how large the operation, it is crucial to properly plan the warehouse.
