SPECIAL COMPANY ACHIEVES SPECIAL AWARD

 

While many businesses that undergo the IiP process gain the standard accreditation, the Silver status acknowledges medicines maker The Specials Laboratory as a forward thinking and progressive company.

 

The Specials Laboratory is one of the UK’s leading manufactures of unlicensed medicines – known as ‘specials’ – which are bespoke-made for individual patients.

 

These special medicinal products are manufactured and supplied from the company’s Northumberland-based licensed laboratories to community and hospital Pharmacists across the UK and Ireland.

 

The IiP achievement comes hot on the heels of the news of its gifted employee Gail Johnson winning The Jack Charlton Young Employee of the Year Award for 2009. The company was also accredited as a Best Companies to Work For ‘One To Watch’ earlier this year.

 

Lynn Willis, HR & Organisational Development Manager at The Specials Laboratory, said: “I am absolutely delighted our company has successfully been re-accredited and allocated the status of Silver.

 

“It is a fantastic achievement and a great reflection on all of our staff for their commitment to continuous learning, development and improvement.”

 

The company’s accomplishment seems even more remarkable given the challenging year it has endured. Over the last 10 months, The Specials Laboratory has been de-merged from its former sister company, sold to new owners United Drug and as a result also been through a restructuring of its management team.

 

The IiP award system is based upon the Olympic medal system beyond the standard level – reaching the Olympics is a fantastic achievement in itself but achieving Gold, Silver or Bronze is a feat of the highest order. 

The award also recognises The Specials Laboratory for demonstrating an expansive approach to cascading best practice through every level of the business and improvement through people.

 

Not resting on its laurels, the company has already got its sights set on the Gold status, explains deputy general manager Lee Craig: “Although we’ve come a long way to be recognised at such a high level, we are a company that always continually improves and aims to be the best – internally and externally.

 

“In the same way we lead the specials market when it comes to speed of delivery to ensure best patient-care, we’ll be aiming for Gold at our next IIP assessment to illustrate best employee-care also,” added Lee.

 

With three MHRA-approved sites and a 135 strong team, The Specials Laboratory is one of the biggest employers in the local Tynedale area. The company serves the needs of over 6000 pharmacy customers in the community and hospital sectors, delivering over 90% of orders within 24 hours – a lead-time unrivalled in the sector. 

 

 

For further information please contact Raman Sehgal - ramans@specialslab.co.uk