INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENT (SPACE LAYOUT) IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY
Plant layout is a method of allocating machines and
equipment’s, various production processes, and other necessary services
involved in the transformation process of a product with the available space of
the factory, to perform various operations most efficiently and conveniently
providing an output of high quality and minimum cost. Planning the layout of a
plant is a continuous process as there are always chances of making improvements
over the existing arrangements.
Objectives of an Ideal Plant Layout
• Material handling and transportation are minimized and efficiently controlled.
• Work stations are designed suitably and
properly.
• Suitable spaces are allocated to production centers
and service centers.
• The movement made by workers is minimized.
• Waiting time for the semi-furnished product is
minimized.
• There are improved work methods and reduced
production cycle means or times.
• There is increased flexibility for changes in
product design and future expansions.
• A good layout permits material to move through the
plant at the desired speed at a lower cost.
Types of Layout
There are mainly following types of layout:
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Fig.1: Types of Community Pharmacy Layout
Process Layout: It is also known as a functional layout and is characterized by keeping similar machines or similar operations at one location. The arrangement of machines of a particular class doing a particular type of work or process as a separate department. For example: cutting machines may be placed under the cutting department.
Advantages:
• Better machine utilization.
• Greater flexibility.
• Better supervision which ultimately leads to better
production.
• Less number of machines is needed involving reduced
capital.
Disadvantage:
• Functional Layout type may not be possible in the
pharmaceutical and chemical industries, because several unit operations should
be performed in sequence.
Product Layout: It is also called a straight-line layout and according to the product manufactured. This setup of product layout is standardized in beginning. The product can be manufactured in large quantities by repetitive operation. This type of layout is more suitable for Pharmaceutical Industries.
Advantages:
• Fewer space requirements for the same volume of
production.
• Less in-process inventory.
• Smooth and continuous work flow.
• Processing of work is quick and smooth.
• Cost of material handling can be reduced by using
conveyors.
• Manufacturing time is reduced and the manufacturing
cycle can be speeded up.
• Floor space can be properly utilized.
Combination Layout: A combination of process and product layout combines the advantages of both types of layout. The layout should be efficient by keeping material handling at a minimum level. Suitable layout planning is required to keep the cost of the product minimum.
Advantages:
1. All the drug procurement is one system so the
pharmacy assistant and patient’s time can be saved.
2. As per respective medical specialties and ward
units like cardiology, neurology, nephrology, urology, etc first line, and
follow-up drugs can be dispensed and refilled through proper selection of
inventory control methods.
3. Combination leads to better patient medication
adherence, counseling, and interventions.
Disadvantages:
1. Extra space and cabinets may be required.
2. Staff pharmacy (assistant, pharmacy technician) and
wages including extra framework and infrastructure is required hence, the budget
requirement is another typical task.
3. Special care division may be affected.
4. Storage space may be required more.
Selection of Site
A plant is a place where men, materials, and equipment
are brought together for manufacturing procedures. The basic requirement for
setting up a pharmaceutical industry is the availability of an appropriate
site.
Importance of Plant Location or Site: The
selection of an appropriate location is important due to the following
reasons:
• Location of the plant partially determines operating
and capital costs. It determines the nature of investment costs to be incurred
and also the levels of many operating costs.
• Location fixes some of the physical factors of the
overall plant design example heating and ventilation requirements, and storage
capacity of raw materials taking into consideration their local
availability.
• Each prospective location implies a new allocation
of capacity to the respective market area.
• Government some-times play an important role in the
choice of the location keeping in view the national benefits.