BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions

Pharmaceutical Industry

Pharmaceutical plants must comply with good manufacturing practices (GMP) which include effective pest control. BASF offers effective solutions to protect these businesses from pests and ensure the safety and high quality of medicinal products.

Usual issues

Contamination

Crucially, the risk of raw materials, medicinal products, medical devices or packaging being contaminated by pests needs to feature high on the list of plant operators’ priorities. Contamination cannot be allowed to occur at any point in the production chain, from the storage of raw materials to the shipping of finished products.

Infestation

Rats and mice are adept at accessing buildings of all sorts, including modern ones. The nocturnal habits of cockroaches and their preference for dark areas can make them difficult to spot, even in well maintained premises. Airborne flies can be problematic too. Pest trapping and proofing will provide protection, in combination with appropriate treatment solutions for complete control.

Impact / risks

Public health risk

EU and WHO Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) include the requirement that procedures are to be implemented and records kept of pest control procedures to ensure that medicines are of high quality, effective and safe.

The propensity of pests to carry diseases, contaminate materials and spread dirt is particularly problematic in the clean rooms and preparation areas of pharmaceutical plants. Specialist expertise in pest control in this environment is required to make sure that rodents and insects don’t get a chance to compromise medicinal products at any point during the manufacturing process.

Financial loss and reputational damage

Pests can be responsible for the loss of raw materials, the destruction of packaging materials and structural damage to the very fabric of the plant. Contamination in a pharmaceutical production chain can also lead to product recall, legal action from regulatory authorities, production downtime.

Addressing any of these problems is a costly business but nothing will cost as much as the loss of customers’ trust and the ensuing damage it inflicts on the plant’s reputation.

Regulatory context

The standards expected required in the manufacture of medicinal products for human or animal use are, quite rightly, some of the most exacting to be found in industrystringent. In the European Economic Area, pharmaceutical business operators, whose activities are inspected regularly, need to comply with the EU Good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to obtain a manufacturing or import authorisation. Pests can compromise the hygiene standards required for premises, materials, equipment, staff members. An effective pest management strategy is a key contributor to the overall compliance of a pharmaceutical production plant.

Benefits to use BASF products

Specialist advice from trained professionals

Pest controllers specialised in the constraints within which medicinal products are produced are the people best placed to ensure that the plant is protected from infestation. In addition to advising on the best way to proof production premises against pests, they can rely on highly effective treatment programmes for emerging or existing pest control. BASF offers a range of innovative and intelligent solutions suited for use in sensitive areas such as pharmaceutical plants.

The proven track record of BASF treatment solutions, which form the core of many pest management strategies, is based on products with:

Powerful active ingredients
Formulations designed to exploit pests’ biology and behaviour
Easy application

Pharmaceutical business operators

In combining chemical treatment solutions with non-chemical procedures, specialised pest controllers help plant operators fulfil their legal obligations to implement and document standard operating procedures with regard to pest control.

Senior managers in the pharmaceutical industry know the value of an integrated pest management programme designed and implement by professionals. Pest control is instrumental in maintaining the highest standards in hygiene and safety and thus avoiding a potentially devastating failed operations audit.

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