In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has had to respond to supply chain complexities and other challenges with an increased focus on reliability and sustainability, while striving to provide the highest quality products from both a patient health and regulatory perspective. Brian Morrissey, the General Manager at Gaelic Laboratories — a contract manufacturer of beta-lactam products — shares his advice on navigating these issues, based on his own recent experiences setting up the CMO.
Staying up to date
Although Gaelic Laboratories’ novel site in Ireland was previously approved by the FDA for beta-lactam production, Brian believed that some upgrades were necessary. He asserts: “Starting the new company gave us the opportunity to start on the right foot with all-new equipment. Having up-to-date technologies is essential for any company aiming to provide quality manufacturing and testing services.”
Relocating for better supply chain visibility
According to Brian, reshoring pharmaceutical operations can present as a strategic opportunity to improve business outcomes: “Our reshoring strategy has enhanced visibility across the supply chain, while also reducing the potential for fraudulent activity. This allows us to protect our customers’ product quality and reputation.”
“Domestic reshoring helps you to understand and control your supply chains, while also creating greater potential for collaboration between manufacturers, researchers and academic institutions on European soil. This can spur on innovation and accelerate drug development.” 
Keeping the supply chain close to home
Delays and long lead times can be costly and have serious consequences for patients. “Transportation delays, such as those witnessed in the COVID-19 pandemic — or more recently in the Red Sea and Suez Canal — led to longer lead times, shortages and higher costs for many companies in the EU.” Brian states.
“Moving production to the EU can allow for turnaround times and improved supply chain agility. It can also support a “just in time” model, where goods are only received at the exact time they are needed; this can cut waste and inventory costs.”
According to Mr Morrissey, when Gaelic Laboratories began manufacturing in Ireland, he found that the impact of recent geopolitical insecurities on the CMO’s operations were significantly reduced, meaning clients were subsequently less exposed to the risks of these supply chain challenges.
Prioritising sustainability in manufacturing
As pharmaceutical companies begin to place a greater emphasis on sustainability credentials, many are looking for ways to reach net zero. Manufacturing partners have a key role to play in ensuring the manufacturing supply chain and its management are sustainable.
Brian explains: “Simplifying the supply chain can be a great way for companies to enhance their presence in the industry while also improving their sustainability credentials. It can help them to minimise the unnecessary use of transportation, while also making the supply chain faster and more reliable.”
As well as this, Brian believes that national government policies can be helpful in supporting sustainability goals: “We are situated in Ireland, where developing renewable energy is central to the national climate change strategy; we benefit directly from that energy security and cost competitiveness.”
