The pharmaceutical industry is one of the few sectors that did not experience economic losses during the pandemic. In fact, since that period, it has become even more crucial, not only by maintaining production to ensure the continuity of treatments, but also by developing an effective COVID-19 vaccine.
Although the pharmaceutical sector experienced a five-year acceleration in digital transformation during COVID-19, according to Pharmaceutical Technology, many companies still use very traditional working methods. Many have successfully digitalized the business layer (ERP) and control layer (SCADA), but most still face significant challenges in digitalizing the operational layer with MES software, as many factory operations are managed with paper or tools not designed for this purpose, such as Office.
Thus, the pharmaceutical sector must continue advancing in digital transformation. Being a vital industry, it is essential to meet existing demand despite market fluctuations or drastic changes, like those caused by the pandemic. Efficient technological solutions not only increase production and reduce costs, but also help meet stringent quality requirements and guarantee end-to-end product traceability.
At Geprom | Part of Telefónica Tech, we aim to help the pharmaceutical sector tackle the challenges of digital transformation.
Software for Managing and Supervising the Pharmaceutical Industry
MES System in the Pharmaceutical Industry
In this article, we focus on how an MES system, a key element in process automation and optimization, helps to:
- Increase production
- Reduce costs
- Integrate systems and data
- Maintain traceability across the production chain
- Record deviations and non-conformities
- Monitor production line performance
Benefits of Implementing an MES System in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Paperless Factory
MES systems can fully digitalize data collection, including data entered manually by personnel. The system stores and correlates these data with relevant fields, such as manufacturing orders or batches, allowing real-time access to accurate information and reducing transcription errors.
Greater Security
MES systems monitor all processes, raw materials, products, and batches, making errors easy to locate and correct. Real-time traceability enables quick, efficient decision-making, minimizing costs and losses. Additionally, strict control ensures compliance with industry quality standards without sacrificing operational speed.
Availability
One of the most important factors affecting factory productivity is the availability of productive assets. Integrating machine alarms or signals into the MES is common practice to log line stops, notify operators, and monitor OEE. These alerts can be correlated with a CMMS to reduce downtime between fault detection and repair.
Higher Quality
By automating most processes, MES ensures regulatory compliance at each production step, reducing human error. This leads to higher final product quality, reduced costs, and minimized waste.
By controlling non-conformities, integrating inline inspections, and recording results, companies can identify main causes and deviations in real-time, preventing future losses and improving production quality.
In summary, the pharmaceutical sector is gradually taking careful steps toward digitalization and automation. Nevertheless, there is still progress to be made, and implementing technological solutions like MES will globally improve the sector.
Increasing production and product quality, as well as ensuring stricter quality control, higher safety, and transparency, makes MES the clear and necessary step for pharmaceutical companies.
Interested in an MES System for the Pharmaceutical Sector?
Contact us for advice on how to implement an MES system in the pharmaceutical industry. sobre cómo implementar un sistema MES en el sector farmacéutico.