Product Supply
The central link in the chain
Three steps towards achieving the aim
Achieving this aim is the task of about 15,000 members of staff at almost 60 locations all over the world. After purchasing reasonably priced raw materials and packaging materials, three steps are required for the manufacturing process itself:
- Step 1: Chemical or biotechnological production of the active ingredients.
- Step 2: Processing (formulation) the active ingredients into finished drugs. Active ingredients can be formulated for administration in solid form as tablets or capsules, for example, or in a semi-solid form as ointments and creams. Infusions or injections are liquid forms of administration. Hormones, for example, are processed not only as the Pill but also as coils or plasters. In addition to finished drugs, blood-glucose measurement devices and diagnostic test strips are also produced.
- Step 3: Packaging.
One active ingredient – many products
Product Supply provides Bayer HealthCare with over 20,000 articles. This number is so high because of the different forms of presentation of the individual products and their packaging. Take Aspirin, for example: it is marketed in various different forms of administration containing varying amounts of the active ingredient. In addition, there are different package sizes, and the packs have to be labeled in the languages of many different countries. Delivering the right product in the right packaging to the right country is a major logistical task, and it can only function with reliable logistical systems and a high level of commitment on the part of the staff.
Competitive advantages through central control
The complete supply chain is centrally controlled– from purchasing the raw materials to delivering to the countries. This creates competitive advantages as regards costs, flexibility and reliability of supply. Central organization also ensures that the required high standards of quality, safety and environmental protection are met worldwide, for these are decisive criteria – alongside profitability and customer-orientation. They determine and accompany the entire production process.
Extremely strict quality requirements apply in the production of drugs and medical equipment – for the whole manufacturing process. They are summed up by the term "Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP) and are checked at regular intervals by the supervisory authorities and external experts.
