SA’s leading pharma contract manufacturer implements new systems

It’s been another busy year for Wrapsa, the bona-fide pharmaceutical contract manufacturer based in Centurion, Gauteng, since 1983, despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. To keep up with customer, regulatory and industry demands, the company has undergone significant upgrades to its facility and systems. By Abby Vorster

Within Wrapsa’s laboratory there have been stability testing upgrades with new rooms and chambers that boost capacity in this area of the business. The new laboratory equipment allows the team to carry out FTIR spectrophotometry testing on medicines which is an effective analytical method to quickly and reliably assess the quality of medicines during production and storage.

The contract manufacturer is also in the process of obtaining SANAS 17025:2005 accreditation for its laboratory.

Wrapsa’s laboratory-based services will be extended with the launch of an on-site micro-lab. In the past, Wrapsa outsourced all micro testing. Yet the ever-increasing demand for a faster turnaround on test results provided a strong case for the company to offer this service in house.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment installed at Wrapsa

New systems offer added value

There have also been developments behind the scenes at Wrapsa which have resulted in significant improvements on the factory floor and from a customer service point of view.

“We have implemented a fully integrated and customised MRP system that allows customers to follow the entire production process of a product,” says Nardus Alberts, MD of Wrapsa. “Customers are granted access via a secure login which allows them to track their product/s through the various stages of production. Our customers appreciate this added value as it gives them a sense of control when working with a third-party manufacturer. The system also supports our move to just-in-time purchasing.”

Over the past 12 months, Wrapsa has been exploring the machine data that exists on its factory floor. In order to make the most of this information, the company has implemented a customised cloud-based maintenance system that monitors downtime and supports better planning. This has resulted in more effective and efficient processes and less downtime for Wrapsa.

With the increasing demand for pharmaceutical lozenges, Wrapsa has invested heavily in the equipment and technology required to produce these products. It will also invest in an effervescent plant which requires specific temperature and humidity monitoring due to the sensitive nature of these products.

As a result of these developments, the size of Wrapsa’s manufacturing and storage space has grown to over 25 000m².

Internal and external skills development

Wrapsa has always maintained its employees are the company’s biggest asset. This is evident in all the manufacturer does to protect, empower and supporting them through skills development.

Like any business that operates a fleet, the risk of hijacking is real – even for Wrapsa. In South Africa, the threat simply increases each year. Not resting on its laurels, the contract manufacturer is doing everything possible to safeguard its drivers, vehicles and its customers’ goods. The company has implemented a highly robust fleet management system and panic buttons in all its trucks and delivery vehicles.

Over the past year Wrapsa has supported pharmacists and millwright students by employing them during their semester breaks and practical year so that they can gain manufacturing experience. This is an ongoing programme at the company in order to equip these students with practical knowledge which will benefit this industry. •

Did you know?

To maintain operations during the pandemic and to protect the health and safety of its employees, Wrapsa employed a full-time nurse in April 2020 who continues to oversee all COVID protocols throughout the manufacturing plant.

Wrapsa – www.wrapsa.co.za