Companies that supply drugs to pharmacies and hospitals around the country are under a lot of pressure to remain compliant with Food and Drug Administration regulations – after all, they are partially responsible for the well-being of health care providers’ patients. It is therefore of the utmost importance for pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers to remain diligent in all business practices, including inventory management.
Manufacturing mistakes, equipment malfunctions and sanitation concerns are all reasons drugs could be deemed unsafe. USA Today noted in 2014 drug recalls were on the rise. For instance, a company called Specialty Compounding was forced to recall solutions of calcium gluconate after hospital patients were given infusions of the drug were infected with Rhodococcus equi, a kind of bacteria that mostly affects horses and other grazing animals. Fifteen people were affected, and two died. In an analysis of recalls from 2012 to 2014, USA Today found 50 drug recalls from compounding pharmacies.
Pharmaceutical companies are still trying to keep up with everything that could go wrong in the manufacturing process that may result in products needing to be recalled. In a notice on May 4, 2015, Teva Parenteral Medicines announced the recall of its drug Adrucil, which is an injection of fluorouracil that is used in the palliative management of carcinoma of the colon, rectum, breast, stomach and breast. Eight lots are affected by the recall. The injections could possibly contain particulate matter identified as a combination of silicone rubber pieces that could have broken off from a filler machine and fluorouracil crystals.
Maintain Control of Your Compliance
The Teva recall illustrates the fact that it’s important for companies to remain diligent when it comes to their equipment. Asset management software can help companies monitor the status of the machines in their production facilities and make sure everything is in good working order. This kind of software will also provide companies with information to remain properly compliant with current safety regulations and standards.
When Recalls Occur, Mobile Can Help
Along with helping prevent recalls, in the event that one does occur, software services can be a huge assistance. Mobile data collection can help in the event of a recall such as the one affecting Teva Parenteral Medicines. Being able to trace drugs quickly and easily will allow employees to locate and deal with only the affected product lots.
Also Read: Tracking Fixed Assets Across the Modern Supply Chain »
