PHARMA FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY
Online learning
proves crucial in pharma manufacturing COVID-19 has left its mark on training structures within the pharmaceutical industry. With dispersed workforces, no access to one-on-one training and remote or distanced working the norm, essential and critical workplace learning has taken a hit. Alex Bunting, I Holland marketing manager, explores the benefits online learning brings to the industry.
GETTING OUT OF A STICKY SITUATION Due to the difficult nature of pharmaceutical formulations and complications involved in the successful compression of solid dose forms, production can be challenging. It
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he solid dose manufacturing sector has had to rethink traditional learning methods and change course to digitisation to keep employees informed and educated in processes and regulatory requirements. Investment in e-learning is helping companies to sail the stormy seas of the
produce high quantities of quality tablets, both quickly and efficiently. Online learning is an effective solution. For optimised manufacturing processes, the importance of skilled and well-trained operators, technicians, supervisors and managers is essential. Investing in learning and development provides
pandemic. Improving manufacturing skills within a company is critical to its success and key to continuous quality improvement. Specially designed online training is providing vital professional development to ensure skills and knowledge are still on track and being utilised on the production floor.
several tangible benefits including reduced downtime, greater productivity and higher profits. Effective training will not only save on time and labour by recognising problems that could stop production before they happen, but also result in an informed and driven workforce. Manufacturers should consider the technical expertise and skills gaps found within the workforce, as this can hugely impact on the bottom line. The introduction of technology-enabled learning is helping companies improve the capability of their staff and the sector is seeing huge growth in recent years, having increased by 900% since the year 2000. Its popularity is set to continue, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
ONLINE LEARNING HELPS MEET TABLET DEMAND Thanks to its cost-effectiveness, ease of transportation, chemical stability and patient familiarity, the demand for solid oral dose continues to grow. As the competition increases to manufacture mass-produced tablets, companies need to ensure staff understand the processes required to
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requires an understanding of all processes involved, from implementing the correct tablet design to knowing what tablet tool steel material and coating should be used to enhance the process. There should also be knowledge of how to quickly solve problems. Take sticking as an example - one of the most common problems during solid dose manufacturing. Sticking occurs when particles of the tablet formulation adhere to the punch face. It has a negative effect on the appearance of the tablet and can become so serious that production is interrupted. In extreme cases, the punches may have to be removed to be cleaned. This is disruptive, labour intensive, reduces the quantity produced and increases costs. It is therefore critical to understand how to resolve the issue quickly. If the operator is not familiar with the problem and how to resolve it, production will be severely affected. This makes training crucial to efficient tablet production.
WHY E-LEARNING IS BENEFICIAL E-learning is becoming a more practical option for productivity improvement, particularly to train people in new skill sets and updating knowledge. Although training may take place ‘on the job’, finding the time and the correct information can prove to be difficult. Work distancing rules must also now be factored in, making face-to-face learning problematic. This has been addressed by many in the industry, including tablet tooling manufacturers. Learning programmes have been designed to combine comprehensive and flexible courses in a wide variety of disciplines. These have been specifically
