Inside AstraZeneca Modern Pharmaceutical Production Plant | Modern Factory

Summary

AstraZeneca's global pharmaceutical production showcases cutting-edge technology, stringent safety protocols, and environmental responsibility. The company manufactures life-changing medicines in a high-tech facility, focusing on quality, safety, and efficiency. From the creation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to packaging and distribution, every step is carefully managed. AstraZeneca's commitment to continuous improvement, driven by Lean principles, enables them to remain competitive while producing medicines for export to over 100 countries. The company prioritizes a diverse and inclusive workforce, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation in their operations.

Takeaways

• 😀 AstraZeneca produces life-changing medicines in collaboration with colleagues from 16 countries worldwide.
• 😀 The company follows strict safety, hygiene, and quality regulations in every step of its production process.
• 😀 AstraZeneca aims to be environmentally friendly, including having an advanced water treatment plant at its facility in Sardatelli.
• 😀 Visitors must wear specific protective clothing in hygiene zones, with higher levels of protection required for sterile zones.
• 😀 AstraZeneca was founded in 1913 and grew rapidly, merging with British Seneca in 1999.
• 😀 Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are manufactured through a chemical process in large reactors, followed by crystallization, drying, and powder formation.
• 😀 In the formulation process, the API powder is mixed with excipients to form tablets, which are then coated for easier swallowing.
• 😀 The company conducts thorough quality checks, ensuring tablets are weighed, measured, and tested for color, shape, and dissolving qualities.
• 😀 AstraZeneca's production facility packs around 10 billion tablets and capsules annually, with 19,000 capsules packed every minute.
• 😀 The company is a major exporter, with 98% of its production in Sardatelli being shipped to global markets, and it strives to use environmentally friendly distribution methods.

Q & A

What role does AstraZeneca play in the global pharmaceutical industry?

AstraZeneca is one of the largest and most modern pharmaceutical production companies, producing life-changing medicines for millions of people worldwide.

How are materials brought into the AstraZeneca production plant?

Materials are brought into the AstraZeneca production plant primarily by trucks, but some substances and gases are delivered in large tank vehicles.

What regulations does AstraZeneca follow in its production process?

AstraZeneca adheres to strict regulations with high demands on safety, hygiene, and quality to ensure the integrity of their products.

How does AstraZeneca manage its environmental impact?

AstraZeneca works to be environmentally friendly, as evidenced by their own advanced water treatment plant and efforts to minimize environmental impact throughout their operations.

What is the purpose of the protective clothing worn at the AstraZeneca plant?

Protective clothing is worn to maintain hygiene and safety standards in the various zones within the production process, ensuring the highest quality in the final products.

What is the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and how is it produced?

The API is the key component of a medicine that helps patients. It is produced by mixing solvents and chemicals in a reactor, initiating chemical reactions that result in the creation of a slurry, which is then dried into a powder.

What is the next step after the active pharmaceutical ingredient is produced?

After the API is produced, it undergoes the formulation process, where it is mixed with solvents, binding agents, and excipients to form small dry grains, which are then shaped into tablets.

What quality control measures are in place during the production process?

Throughout the production process, all materials are documented and controlled. Regular sampling, measurements, and checks are performed to ensure the tablets meet the required standards in terms of color, shape, and dissolving properties.

How does AstraZeneca ensure efficient packing and distribution of its products?

AstraZeneca employs highly automated packing processes, handling approximately 10 billion tablets and capsules annually. Finished products are stored in high-tech distribution centers that use conveyor belts, driverless trucks, and cranes for efficient logistics.

What is the significance of AstraZeneca's manufacturing unit in Sarstedt?

The AstraZeneca manufacturing unit in Sarstedt serves as a launch site for new drugs and hosts a center of excellence for inhalation products. It is one of the largest export hubs for AstraZeneca, with 98% of its production being exported worldwide.