Move Over Oprah…We’ve Been to iNova and Scored CPD Points!

14 December 2010
 Around 35 pharmacists and pharmacy students visited the iNova Technology Centre at iNova Pharmaceuticals’ corporate headquarters in Sydney last week for a rare look into the development and manufacture of medicines destined for Australian and overseas pharmacy shelves.

The manufacturing and laboratory plant tour, a unique Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) accredited CPD earning course, took participants on a journey from “formulations and factory floor to finished goods in pharmacy store” for a variety of solid and liquid dosage forms.

Designed to increase knowledge of the rigorous standards and processes involved in producing high quality medicines, the tour focused on the various requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and their relevance to pharmacy practice.

Participant pharmacist Sheryl Cohen, who has a background in pharmaceutical manufacturing, said: “In community pharmacy, we’re often asked about product matters involving storage conditions, expiry dates, as well as packaging, tablet appearance and ingredient content. Product ingredients, in particular, are a concern for customers who have known substance allergies.”

“The tour insights and practical information provided will certainly help in managing customer enquiries about these matters and also when product complaints and unintended mishaps with medicines occur,” Ms Cohen said.

iNova CEO, Andrew Howden, who gave participants a company overview, said: “Our focus is to have a strong pipeline of products that deliver value for patients and consumers and iNova has a well balanced product mix, being 50% prescription and 50% non-prescription.”

iNova General Manager (Australia/New Zealand), Peter Mayrick, said: “iNova has made a firm commitment to pharmacy with pharmacy only brands. Everything we do is driven through pharmacy to help ensure individuals receive the appropriate medicine and professional advice.”

Among various tour highlights was the manufacturing, packaging and release of several leading pharmacy only brands, namely, DuroTuss™, Difflam™, Cal-Sup™ and Metsal™.

Another keynote was the Centre’s world class quality control and analytical laboratory where extensive testing and validation of all iNova manufactured products, as well as new process and test methods occur, since quality control is a critical GMP component.

In all, the tour was an eye opener for participants who saw first hand how the Centre has become a world class Australian product development, manufacturing and quality assurance capability that produces annually: 570 million tablets; 2.5 million litres of liquid products; 16.8 million blister packing platforms and 6.8 million tubes for topical preparation.

Now Oprah…can you beat that?

For further information contact: Athena Kolivos 0412 857 698

iNova Pharmaceuticals:
iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited is an Australian owned and operated pharmaceutical company that is corporate headquarters for iNova Pharmaceuticals (“iNova”) operations across Australia, Asia-Pacific and Southern Africa. Exporting to over 20 countries, iNova has leading consumer healthcare and prescription product brands with a current portfolio of in-licensed, acquired and in-house developed drugs mainly in respiratory health, weight management, pain management, allergy, sexual health, dermatology and cardiology.

Further information is available at www.inovapharma.com

DURO-TUSS ™

DURO-TUSS range of products provide effective relief of dry and chesty coughs

Difflam ™

Difflam range of products relieve painful conditions of the mouth and throat.

Allergy A to ZEP

A range of allergy medications designed to relieve different allergy symptoms.