Boosting the efficiency of compound management For ... - IQPC.com
Boosting the efficiency of compound management For ... - IQPC.com
Boosting the efficiency of compound management For ... - IQPC.com
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Boosting</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>efficiency</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> <strong>management</strong><br />
<strong>For</strong> businesses in a number <strong>of</strong> sectors, <strong>the</strong> recent global economic downturn<br />
be<strong>com</strong>e a key reason for <strong>the</strong>m to refocus <strong>the</strong>ir efforts on making operations more<br />
efficient. The recessionary conditions seen worldwide led many firms to consider<br />
how <strong>the</strong>y could reduce <strong>the</strong>ir budgets by streamlining operations, while <strong>com</strong>panies<br />
were also able to form a link between such savings and <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> a greener<br />
approach.<br />
Such issues were not lost on <strong>the</strong> pharmaceutical industry, particularly in <strong>the</strong><br />
realm <strong>of</strong> <strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> <strong>management</strong>. The area is one that has always had a reliance<br />
on technological advancements to increase <strong>the</strong> <strong>efficiency</strong> <strong>of</strong> both its services and<br />
environmental credentials.<br />
BioStorage Technologies recently highlighted how both concepts are particularly<br />
high on <strong>the</strong> agenda in <strong>the</strong> sample and <strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> <strong>management</strong> world at present.<br />
The <strong>com</strong>pany, which is headquartered in Indianapolis and provides storage<br />
services for sample <strong>management</strong>, biomaterials and cold chain logistics, opened a<br />
new full-service repository in Germany at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> last year.<br />
Based in Frankfurt, <strong>the</strong> 18,000 sq ft site has been granted green certification<br />
from sustainable energy supplier ENTEGA Vertrieb GmbH & Co, as it is currently<br />
powered through <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> 100 per cent renewable energy.<br />
It is thought that <strong>the</strong> decision to make use <strong>of</strong> such services will prevent <strong>the</strong><br />
production <strong>of</strong> almost 190 tonnes <strong>of</strong> carbon emissions in <strong>the</strong> first year, while <strong>the</strong><br />
future expansion plans are likely to increase <strong>the</strong> savings. In addition, BioStorage<br />
is also boosting its green credentials fur<strong>the</strong>r by using low volatile organic<br />
<strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> cleaning agents and fair trade products where possible.<br />
Dr Wolfgang H<strong>of</strong>fer, managing director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>com</strong>pany's European operations,<br />
said: "Using renewable energy is only one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> green initiatives underway at our<br />
facilities. Additional aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> initiative include environmentally-conscious<br />
<strong>management</strong> <strong>of</strong> waste disposal, logistics, water consumption and paper use."<br />
While <strong>the</strong> work at <strong>the</strong> Frankfurt facility has highlighted <strong>the</strong> <strong>com</strong>pany's efforts to<br />
go green, BioStorage has also revealed plans to <strong>of</strong>fer more cost-effective<br />
<strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> <strong>management</strong> solutions to clients, most notably <strong>the</strong> new Overland<br />
Sample Inventory Relocation and Intelligent Shipping service.<br />
Known as Osiris, <strong>the</strong> new mobile biorepository has been created for sample<br />
transition, relocation and emergency response services and is based in a 52-ft<br />
multi-temperature trailer that can transport biomaterials including plasma, blood<br />
and tissue samples.<br />
Jeff Clark, global head <strong>of</strong> logistics and facilities at <strong>the</strong> firm, said <strong>the</strong> transport<br />
facility is "truly <strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> its kind". "Osiris utilises today's most innovative<br />
tracking, storing and temperature control technology to essentially transform a<br />
semi-trailer into a fully <strong>com</strong>pliant biorepository on wheels," he outlined.<br />
"Whe<strong>the</strong>r our customers are distributing manufactured products, transferring<br />
clinical trial materials or consolidating samples from multiple research facilities,<br />
OSIRIS allows our specialised team <strong>of</strong> logistics experts to provide door-to-door,<br />
full-scale support during <strong>the</strong> entire drug development process."
BioStorage collaborated with Pace Air Freight, Thermo King and Great Dane<br />
Trailers during <strong>the</strong> design process for <strong>the</strong> new technology.<br />
Chad Howard, sales representative <strong>of</strong> Great Dane Trailers Indianapolis, said:<br />
"Working with BioStorage Technologies on this project proved to be a rewarding<br />
challenge, utilising a total team effort that resulted in <strong>the</strong> tremendous success <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> design and manufacture <strong>of</strong> this one-<strong>of</strong>-a-kind trailer."<br />
Following on from <strong>the</strong> <strong>com</strong>pany's environmental efforts in Frankfurt, Osiris is set<br />
to be towed by a 2010 Volvo VN6T tractor that will be outfitted with fuel efficient<br />
and green emission technology. The set-up will allow <strong>the</strong> mobile biorepository,<br />
which is thought to have cost around $575,000 (£370,869) to create, to travel<br />
around 2,000 miles without refuelling.<br />
News <strong>of</strong> both <strong>the</strong> new mobile system and <strong>the</strong> green energy plan for <strong>the</strong> Frankfurt<br />
facility highlights how BioStorage Technologies is demonstrating <strong>the</strong> current<br />
concerns <strong>of</strong> businesses involved in sample and <strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> <strong>management</strong>. <strong>Boosting</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> environmental and operational <strong>efficiency</strong> <strong>of</strong> pharmaceutical work has be<strong>com</strong>e<br />
a major issue in recent years, particularly as such efforts can improve a firm's<br />
standing in <strong>the</strong> eyes <strong>of</strong> both rival <strong>com</strong>panies and – more importantly – clients.<br />
Such concepts are likely to remain important to <strong><strong>com</strong>pound</strong> <strong>management</strong><br />
businesses for some time, meaning <strong>the</strong>y could benefit dramatically from<br />
considering how <strong>the</strong> right tools and processes could put <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong> right track to<br />
an efficient and successful future.