The pandemic has been a major contributor to the rapid expansion of pharmaceutical logistics, which is now being prioritized by governments all over the world in order to ensure adequate supplies of medications for patients. Its expansion can also be attributed to the rising demand for over-the-counter preparations, which includes everything from vitamins to skincare products.
According to Grand View Research, the value of the global pharmaceutical logistics market was USD 78.5 billion in 2021. It is anticipated that the market will advance at a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% by the end of 2030 to reach USD 163.9 billion during the forecast period that runs from 2022 until 2030.
The pandemic has made the consequences of disruptions in supply chains and a lack of manufacturing diversification more obvious than ever before MHRA approved warehousing UK. It is now absolutely necessary to ensure that patients always have access to their prescribed medications. A facility that is capable of storing, manufacturing, and packaging medicines are essential to the completion of this process.
Getting a warehouse ready for use in the pharmaceutical industry
For drugs and other pharmaceutical products to be safe and effective, they need to be stored in specialized warehouses that meet the industry’s highest standards and feature any necessary special improvements. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to conduct an appropriate analysis and plan a warehouse project and its intended functions at the very beginning of the process of development. Consider leasing a BTS project or space in a multi-let facility whose construction is just about to begin and which can be customized while it is still being designed. This would be the best solution in the case of a pharmaceutical warehouse because it would allow for the greatest amount of flexibility.
Distribution of warehouses into distinct zones
In general, buildings used for the pharmaceutical industry are divided up into distinct sections, such as areas designated for reception and dispatch, laboratory space, clean rooms, manufacturing space, and storage space. Junctions between the floor and walls that are rounded are simpler to clean. UV lamps contribute to the sanitization of rooms. A cold chain, which refers to the process of distributing, transporting, and storing goods at a consistent and controlled temperature, is frequently required in pharmaceutical logistics. It is normal practice for pharmaceutical warehouses to maintain an ambient temperature in the range of +15 degrees Celsius to +25 degrees Celsius.
As a consequence of this, newly constructed facilities should allow for stringent control and maintenance of the appropriate air temperature. This, in turn, necessitates the installation of adequate building insulation. As designers of modern warehouses continue to think of new technological solutions aimed at achieving a carbon neutral status, this should not present much of a challenge in newly constructed buildings. Such facilities significantly exceed predefined technical specifications. Having said that, warehousing operations will need to undergo a variety of changes in order to accommodate the handling of temperature-sensitive products, and they will also need to obtain prior approval from both a Provincial Pharmaceutical Inspectorate (WIF) and the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate (GIF).
The manner in which stocked pharmaceutical products are kept
The primary requirement is to maintain a temperature in the range of +15°C to +25°C, which can be accomplished through the utilization of precision air-conditioning that is adapted to racking systems and the ductwork that distributes airflow throughout a warehouse. After the goods have been brought in, the operations have to be separated into bays for receiving and dispatching, and in some instances, there must also be a separate area for pharmaceutical products that are in quarantine. This is made possible by the use of panel walls, the majority of which are full-length, as well as high-speed doors, which make it easier for forklifts to move around the warehouse. Most warehousing operations will require cold storage areas for products that are to be kept at lower temperatures, premises for flammable materials such as aerosols, premises for psychotropic drugs with additional anti-burglary protection, or premises for repacking drugs. These requirements are in addition to dedicated office space (commonplace in Poland on account of supply chain diversification).
Particularly high demand for storage facilities serving the pharmaceutical industry
In Poland, standard warehouses that are delivered by developers typically require some sort of modification in order to satisfy these requirements. The BTS formula, which was adopted at an early stage of development, makes it possible to adapt planned processes to each type of operations in a very short amount of time, thereby avoiding the costs associated with redeveloping existing space.
Important details to keep in mind:
- backup power supply (a power generator); reinforced rooftop structure for air handling units; adaptation of external areas to various means of transport, including charging stations for electric vehicles; these are some of the features that will be implemented.
- loading docks with seals and PVC strip curtains or additionally – for more demanding products – positive pressure of 15-25 Pa to prevent insects from getting inside; HCCP / non-breakable fixtures,
- washable walls and vertical cladding; washable paint on the building’s walls and structural elements; designated battery charging areas with hoods in an explosion-proof design, hydrogen sensors, and epoxy floors; adaptation of the building’s fire-fighting system to individual occupants’ needs; and
It is essential in the modern world to ensure that supply chains are safe and that manufacturers produce pharmaceuticals as close as they can get to the consumers they are trying to reach. As a growing number of patients insist on receiving their medications as quickly as humanly possible, more and more of the research and development effort will be directed toward projects that are tailored specifically to the specifications of the pharmaceutical industry.
