SPECIALS MANUFACTURER IN SEARCH OF QPs

A manufacturer of unlicensed medicines (commonly know as specials) is looking to recruit additional Qualified Persons (QPs) as the award-winning firm expands into new areas. 

The Specials Laboratory is looking to cement its position as pharmacists’ first choice for quality specials, as well as leading the way in newer business areas, such as its over labelling operations for hospital customers.  

Although the manufacturer already employs four QPs, seven pharmacists and 21 pharmacy technicians, it is now looking to recruit additional expertise and resource for the quality release of specials, over labelled products and investigational medicinal products (IMPs) from its three MHRA-licensed facilities in Northumberland.

Robert Sludden, quality, research and development manager at The Specials Laboratory, said: “In the hectic day-to-day environment of a dispensary, pharmacists need to have total trust in the quality of their suppliers to ensure products such as specials are produced to the right standards to meet the specific needs of the patient.

“As we have broadened our service offerings over the past few years, in addition to the recruitment of qualified staff, we have also invested significantly in the professional development of our staff. This has resulted in the highest level of in-house expertise to ensure the quality standard of every medicine we make or supply.

“Due to the nature of what we do, we are able to offer QPs a varied and hands-on industry-based role. The additional resource will also enable us to continue providing the high level of service our customers have come to expect over the last decade,” added Robert.

Delivering products to over 7,000 community and hospital pharmacists across the UK and Ireland, The Specials Laboratory prides itself on consistently delivering over 90% of specials and over labelled orders within just 24 hours from receipt of order to delivery.

Whether a bespoke formulation or a batch-manufactured medicine, every product made at The Specials Laboratory is produced to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations. Furthermore, every special medicine order goes through a minimum of twelve quality checks by numerous departments to certify the quality of each product.

Placing a huge amount of emphasis on staff training and culture, the company has been awarded the Investors in People (IiP) Silver status – an honour achieved by less than 1% of IiP recognised organisations across the UK – and was also previously accredited as a Best Companies to Work For ‘One To Watch’.

With 135 staff, the company was a finalist in this year’s North East Manufacturer of the Year across Northumberland & Tyneside.

www.specialslab.co.uk / www.twitter.com/specialslab

Picture caption: SEARCHING: Robert Sludden at The Specials Lab searching for QPs

For further information, images and interview opportunities, please contact Raman Sehgal – raman@ramarketingpr.com