Managing Pest Issues in the Pharma

[box type=”shadow” ]“Cleanliness in a pharmaceutical facility has an even deeper meaning than it does in most facilities. To meet exacting regulatory standards and third-party audit requirements, there can be absolutely zero intrusion from pests.”

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A high level of sanitation and hygiene is a necessity in every aspect of the manufacture of drug / pharmaceutical products. The scope of sanitation and hygiene includes personnel, premises, equipment’s, production materials, storage, products for cleaning & disinfection, and anything that could become a source of contamination to the product. Pest management is a critical component of sanitation & hygiene in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pest issues are a critical threat to pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. Producing safe, unadulterated & effective products is the top priority of pharmaceutical companies. A single pest in production, research, or ingredient storage can contaminate expensive product batches, ruin years of research, and cause millions in losses. In addition, improper treatment for pests can have an adverse impact on public health. In short, pests are an unacceptable risk in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmaceutical companies have stringent regulatory standards to keep up with (ISO-QMS, HACCP, USFDA, etc). Pest management can be a big factor when it comes to compliance audits, so it’s important to proactively act to prevent pests by implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one of the important postulates towards Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for pharmaceutical production & the same is documented by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It is imperative to implement preventive maintenance and monitoring plans as part of the IPM program for a pharmaceutical facility to manage against invading / foraging pests.

Premises should be designed and equipped so as to afford maxi- mum protection against the entry of insects, rodents, birds & other pests. Hence, it is important for pharmaceutical companies to consult & involve pest management professionals, prior to constructing a new manufacturing facility towards pest protection.

It is important for the pharmaceutical manufacturer to have a regular periodic pest management program for their facility. Further, whilst selecting a pest management professional agency, it is important for the manufacturer to check the availability of statutory license to operate, market references, quality detailing of pest management solutions, MSDS of insecticides and ISO & other safety compliance certifications of the said agency. The focus should be quality & environmentally safe pest control solutions and not just low prices. Cheap services can prove to be expensive in the long term, due to adverse impact of compromised quality of services.

As part of PCAMB’s IPM Program, our core pest management solutions target the most common pests, cockroaches, common ants, rats and flying insects. We at PCAMB recognize the important role of pest control in ensuring that manufacturers can exceed the most stringent regulatory requirements for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals & ensure there is no contamination of products manufactured.

Rats and Mice are often considered a main pest problem in the Pharmaceutical industry. Rodents cause damage through contamination arising due to their feces, urine and shed hair. They can also cause serious impact in the pharma manufacturing facility due to gnawing of electronic cables and insulation, leading to damage to sensitive & critical equipments / machines, short circuit that can lead to fires, etc.

Cockroaches in pharmaceutical companies cause contamination. Cockroaches also are a source of powerful allergens, causing asthma, eczema and allergies. Further, cockroaches are known to transmit a number of diseases, such as Cholera, Typhoid and Salmonella.

Flies are a common nuisance in pharmaceutical companies. They carry and transmit a range of disease causing pathogens. Flies are very mobile and can easily enter into the premises if precautions to restrict their access are not implemented.

Pharmaceutical facilities that handle dried starches and meals can be the target of stored product insect infestations such as Indian meal moths, warehouse beetles, and red and confused flour beetles. These pests can feed on any number of products, compromise cleanrooms and areas, contaminate products, and make the pharmaceutical company susceptible to expensive product recalls and lost business.

PCAMB design’s a customized IPM program to meet the needs of a pharmaceutical facility, taking into account critical factors such as structural integrity, environmental pest pressures, and potential for pest activity. Our IPM programs are sensitive to the needs of this industry always focusing on the judicious use of high quality appropriate insecticides.

We lay emphasis on pest prevention and quality documentation of services & inspection reports.

Cleanliness in a pharmaceutical facility has an even deeper meaning than it does in most facilities. To meet exacting regulatory standards and thirdparty audit requirements, there has to be absolutely zero intrusion from pests.

Viren R. Merchant
Director & COO
Pest Control Associates (AMB) Pvt. Ltd.