Supply chain
management

Through our experience of a wide range of supply chain models, covering all types of products and channels, we can guide you to the optimum supply chain design for your objectives.  We believe in a cross functional approach to the design, as different functions in your company will have differing requirements, often conflicting and always with an impact on each other.

Most pharmaceutical supply chains include several 3^rd parties, from storage sites to carriers, resources and other functions depending on the specific licence. We can assist in recommending options to consider and helping you select the best option, including running a Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) process if required, or a more reduced process as required if you have already selected or engaged with a specific 3^rd party.

The requirements of each end of the supply chain vary, from large batch sizes and infrequent supply at manufacturing to small and very frequent supply at the other end.  Despite a carefully designed supply chain, good planning and communication between functions is required to prevent the extremes of an out-of-stock situation or writing large amounts of product off for expiry issues or regulatory changes to the pack.

If any of your products are classed as a Controlled Drug (CD) product (split into Schedules 1 to 5) then you need a Home Office CD Licence to go with your WDA(H).  There are additional operating requirements when managing CD products and we have several people who are experienced in this activity, both QA and supply chain.

Once your product is in a UK storage site and available for sale, the next challenge is how to control who you sell your product(s) to.  Aspects of this should be included in your supply chain design, for example supplying direct to hospitals (without a wholesaler involved) or direct to a patient (where relevant for the product).

Bringing product supply into the UK is now classed as an import and is more complex than it was  prior to Brexit. Fortunately, importing from the EU (if the product is QP released in the EU and the supplier is an EU company) can be performed with a WDA(H) and a Responsible Person for import (RPi), but import from a non-EU country will require either an MIA or an MS licence.

Many companies  export products they store in the UK to various locations in the EU and around the globe, often because the customer wants an English language pack. There are important GDP requirements that must be followed for this to happen, as well as the logistical challenges for sensitive or valuable product being shipped long distances. Our supply chain team are experienced in managing this complex export processes working with your QA team to products internationally, including shipping to countries all around the world.

There are tight GDP guidelines on returned product and whether it can be returned to saleable inventory.  This is often a neglected area with long time delays and invisible inventory, but our supply chain team work closely with your QA team to ensure the process remains compliant, whilst keeping track of the returns process commercially.