Only the best is good enough: how to recognize a good raw material supplier

1. Quality assurance and certification

The quality of the raw material supply is of the utmost importance for the pharmaceutical industry. As a GMP-certified (Good Manufacturing Practice) company, Hänseler AG requires its suppliers to fully comply with pharmaceutical guidelines. But that is not all: the entire value chain is largely disclosed - from the origin of the raw material to the raw material supplier, any refinements and their manufacturers, as well as transportation, which must be carried out under GDP (Good Distribution Practice) conditions. Suppliers are audited by the company's own quality management system and by certification partners. 
 

2. Type and origin of raw materials

In order to be successful in the pharmaceutical environment, many different types of raw materials are of interest. For example:

• Essential oils
• Narcotics (schedules a to d, e.g. cannabis)
• Chemical precursors as excipients or API
• Ethanols
• Resins
• Herbs
• Herbal mixtures
• Solvents
• Oils and fats
• Oleochemical raw materials
• Ointment bases
• Salt mixtures
• Acids and alkalis
• Vitamins

In principle, these raw materials can come from any country. However, the most important thing is certification and quality. Quality is ensured by regular full analyses and by analytical testing of each batch. Transparency on the part of raw material suppliers is the be-all and end-all here. Transparency is ensured through ongoing dialog and audits. A leading raw materials trader is also characterized by the fact that it already has many raw materials in stock and a wide range of products. 
 

3. Specialization for specific customers

Hänseler AG has a range of over 3000 high-quality raw materials for industry and specialist retailers as well as pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. The needs of these customers differ - as you can see from the following two examples. It is therefore worth asking exactly which supplier is best suited to your needs. 
 

3.1 Swiss pharmacies - Guaranteed Identity by Container (GID)

Pharmacies in Switzerland prefer small containers that they can process directly for medicinal products that do not require a marketing authorization - i.e. intermediates whose identity they do not have to check first because the identity is guaranteed container by container by the supplier. Hänseler Swiss Pharma offers this product line under GID - as Natura, Technica and Top Ten Classic - the most frequently required raw materials.
 

3.2 Industrial customers - flexible quantities, solid documentation

Industrial customers usually require much larger quantities than pharmacies. Sometimes, for example, entire 1-ton bulk containers are delivered with the necessary analysis and documentation so that the goods can be processed further by the industrial customer. Here it is important - just as with the smaller containers for pharmacies - that the raw material suppliers, transportation, filling, testing and documentation of the 1-ton container follow the GMP guidelines. The special feature of Hänseler Swiss Pharma is its flexibility with regard to container and batch sizes.  
 

4. Supply reliability and continuity

The continuity of raw material supply is of the utmost importance for the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to punctual delivery, the supplier must also have the ability to react to unforeseen events and bottlenecks. Nevertheless, the supply chain is fragile and subject to high volatility. It therefore helps to create redundancy: This means having a second supply alternative. However, the most important thing is to maintain a long-term and reliable supplier network and to continue to develop with one another.

This contributes directly to the predictability and stability of manufacturing for the customer. One advantage here is a broad network of suppliers. This allows companies like Hänseler, for example, to offer the best possible raw materials and natural products at high quality and attractive prices.


 

5. Reliable logistics

Companies in the pharmaceutical industry depend on timely and sophisticated deliveries of raw materials in various preliminary stages and filling quantities. 

It is also important that the raw materials are not contaminated or damaged during transportation. Transportation under GDP ensures, for example, that the raw materials are transported at the correct temperature and in compliance with hygiene standards. 

At raw materials trader Hänseler, for example, the logistics of products and raw materials are handled from the company's own refrigerated or high-bay warehouse using its own vehicles or in close cooperation with freight forwarders and express services. All transport service providers are qualified and regularly audited. For all articles, Hänseler guarantees its customers product-appropriate storage and logistics in accordance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP). These guarantees as security for the customer are therefore another important selection criterion for the right supplier.

Conclusion

The choice of raw material supplier is an important factor for success in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies that are GMP / GDP certified, value transparency and reliability and thus support the safety and efficacy of their products.