30% Efficiency Improvement by Implementing the SmartRack® in Pharmaceutical Quality Control
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementing the SmartRack® laboratory organisation system on extracting active pharmaceutical ingredients. The objective was to verify a 30% efficiency improvement with the use of SmartRack® in three experimental phases: preparation, execution and breakdown.
Systematic modelling of the extraction of active pharmaceutical ingredients
Quality control in pharmacy is essential to ensure that pharmaceutical products meet the highest standards. It guarantees the efficacy, safety and purity of medicines to protect the health and well-being of patients. Rigorous quality assurance measures ensure that pharmaceutical products are consistent and reliable. These measures include analysis of the quality and quantity of active ingredients in the final product.
With the increasing complexity and diversity of products, the quality control requirements for already high standard laboratories and personnel are becoming more complex. This is particularly true for highly specialised products. In order to achieve comprehensive test coverage with efficient resource management, the SmartRack® organisational system was investigated for its efficiency-enhancing properties.
Methodology
The quantification of active ingredients, in particular the sample preparation of a standard powder tablet, was demonstrated as an example. The experimental procedure was compared with and without the implementation of SmartRack®. The sample was crushed, ground and the fillers were extracted by shaking for separation. The focus of the comparison was on the efficiency improvement and standardisation of the experiments through the use of the SmartRack® laboratory organisation system.
Comparison of procedures with and without SmartRack®
The grinding and distribution of powder tablets into tubes for multiple determinations was much more efficient and comprehensive with pre-sorted and securely stored tubes in SmartRack® directly at the workstation. In addition, the solvent for the slurry was available on site. Rapid filtration benefited from the immediate availability of filters and water at the workstation. The risk of accidents and errors during phase separation was minimised by secure holders for separation funnels and the organisation of glassware in the rack. The ergonomic benefits and improved clarity provided by SmartRack® facilitated pipetting into well plates. This encouraged time-optimised, consistent execution of the experiment.
The lack of storage for samples, equipment and materials resulted in additional walking and searching. There was no set order for the work materials, and the result was a prolonged turnaround time due to non-standardised procedures. Manually setting up the separating funnel stands took more time than selecting the appropriate module and clicking it into the SmartRack®. Workspace occupation was significantly higher due to the traditional setup. This made it difficult to perform or prepare for subsequent experiments. Errors or contamination were facilitated by a lack of overview.
Conclusion
The SmartRack® system significantly improves the organisation and efficiency of sample preparation for drug assays in pharmaceutical quality control. By optimising the workspace and reducing sources of error, SmartRack® supports precise and reliable execution of pharmaceutical experiments. The comparative experiment with SmartRack® suggests that efficiency can be increased by 30%. The results underline the importance of innovative organisational systems to improve the quality of pharmaceutical experiments.
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