The transfer of products in the Pharmaceutical and/or Medical Device Industry is a process that involves moving a product, and all associated factors, from one plant to another.
Industries generally carry out this type of project seeking to minimize labor costs, expand the variety of products they offer, and gain market positions. These projects are vital for the development and continuity of the business in the industries.
There are internal transfers and external transfers. Internal transfers are those that occur between sister plants (eg J&J New Jersey – J&J Puerto Rico) and are the most common. External transfers are those that occur between non-sister plants or acquisition of new businesses. Puerto Rico occupies a favorable position for this type of project due to the quality and cost of labor when compared to other states in the United States.
For the transfer of a product in the pharmaceutical industry to be effective, it is important to comply with the following steps:
- Initial evaluation
- Planning
- Implementation
- Maintenance and Improvements
First, it is necessary to carry out a feasibility analysis or definition of the project that includes facilities, costs, materials/products, processes, resources, etc. We then proceed to the planning stage for which a detailed implementation plan is developed, risks are assessed, support groups are established, and follow-up tools are established to complete tasks by set dates.
Once the detailed plan is established, we begin with the implementation process that includes: the acquisition of materials and equipment, installation, documentation, execution, and training. The last stage would be the maintenance of the transferred product where work is done with the inventory, production/manufacturing, and quality of the product. It is also important to note process improvement activities, which can occur at any time during product transfer.
Some common challenges in product transfer are the availability of materials, equipment, and resources. These factors may impact implementation dates or the feasibility of projects. To achieve success and effectiveness in a product transfer, it is necessary to complete each of the stages, carry them out on time and in an integral way, thus ensuring the quality of the final product.
