Alison Norman, Quantum Specials Ltd
Why are we ethical?
We work under MHRA licences for our Specials Manufacturing and Wholesale Dealing, which means we are adhering to both Good Manufacturing and Distribution practices. Quantum and some other ACSM members register their premises with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, which provides more scope for offering professional advice with enquiries. In addition, our team of highly trained professionals operate as individuals within their own professional code of ethics as registered Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
One of the proactive things Quantum does to help promote MHRA Guidance Note 14 and to make compliance with the Note easier. Pharmacists are given a record keeping sheet and storage folder, so they can easily file and retain documentation, effectively keeping an audit trail clearly showing where the product was made and when, as they are required to do.
Why are we standard setting?
We have invested in a state of the art clean room suite, developed and designed to cope with the various different product categories frequently ordered and to keep them safely segregated. We operate a quality management system, which is compliant with the Orange Guide and on a practical level develop good practice for the Specials industry in areas such as error reduction and contamination control.
Why are we useful to Society?
In training our staff we strive to build awareness of the different types of patients, their varying circumstances and needs, and how we may be able to accommodate these as we tailor make individual medicines. Pack down options to provide medicines in an appropriate form for home and respite care are an example. Single volume split into multi pack containers can provide welcome convenience to patients who need to keep some of their medicines in one place and some in another. Customers have access to our Technical team of registered Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, who will readily discuss formulation and dosage form options, such as liquid, powder, capsule etc., to find the best solution for the individual patient.
Quantum concentrate on one-off medicines and do not make in bulk. This means the Special medicine is truly handmade for the individual and we can offer a very flexible approach, working with the Pharmacist to provide the medicine in a formulation which, because it is compatible with the patient’s needs, in terms of form, and preference, in terms of flavour, encourages compliance with the prescribed medicine regime. An example of this might be that Quantum would make up a more concentrated version of a liquid medicine for someone with difficulty swallowing. Anyone who has tried to give a large quantity of a liquid medicine to a tiny child might appreciate how this flexibility can make a big difference to the whole patient experience, reducing stress to the patient and carer alike.
How can we be seen as dynamic?
We have invested in an ongoing stability programme on high demand products which works to extend shelf life and support the use of the product with validated analytical data. Examples of the types of product this has relevance for are paediatric oral liquid solutions. Because of the work we have done on stability, we now have a 90 day shelf life on a high demand anti depressant.
When sourcing a product he is not familiar with, the busy high street Pharmacist will either contact a full line wholesaler or a Specials manufacturer. He may not at this stage distinguish between a Special Obtains and a Special medicine. As a service to the Community Pharmacist therefore, Quantum provides a one stop shop, running a Special Obtains department with a wide range of hard to obtain pharmacy products like gluten free foodstuffs available, as well as a Specials Manufacturing facility for individually made medicines.
Quantum is pleased to work toward promoting a greater understanding of UK Specials manufacturing as an established, unique and well-controlled industry, with an important role to play in delivering appropriate patient ready medicines at the point of need. It does so by hosting industry visits for overseas pharmacy students, supporting pre-reg pharmacy events, which provide education in recognizing Specials prescriptions and an understanding of how to deal with them, and putting forward senior staff to lecture undergraduate pharmacy students at universities in the Region.
How are we patient focused?
Aware that there is nearly always a patient waiting for the individual medicine before his or her regime can begin, Quantum offer next day delivery before 12.30pm and will use same day couriers in an emergency. As a specialist manufacturer concentrating on one-off (rather than batch made) Special medicines, we are able to offer particular flexibility in the pack sizes, flavourings, sweeteners and strengths to ensure that needs of the patient as identified by the Pharmacist are closely met.
Quantum have introduced a fail safe working practice that ensures that all our active ingredients can only be ordered within a safe range, each ingredient having an upper, or lower limit. This means that if a Pharmacist tried to order something that was over, or under that range, our in-built checks and balances would flag this up, setting into play a query and prevent the order going through without further consultation. This system works equally effectively for a prescription which may have a dosage that is sub-therapeutic and ensures that all Quantum Specials are guaranteed to make therapeutic sense .
Why are we reputable?
We are reputable by recognising the importance of all types of stakeholder relationships and actively developing these as we grow as a company. Membership of the ACSM enhances our reputation and developments such as the Technical Standards will strengthen this and differentiate us from non MHRA licenced suppliers.
The Association of Commercial Specials Manufacturers Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Company number 05015111, Unit 1, Regents Drive, Lower Prudhoe Industrial Estate, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 6PX. Copyright 2009 ACSM, All rights reserved. Terms of Use