Screening Solution for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

New Delhi, India, August 25, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Screening equipment is an integral part of most pharmaceutical processes and usually with the primary role to ensure ingredients and finished products are quality assured during production and before use or dispatch. When processing active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s), the occupational exposure limit (OEL) has a significant part to play in the design of a process to ensure operators are not at risk to exposure. Therefore when Cipla Ltd built their OEL compliant plant at their Goa factory in 2005, having a vibro sifter that would ensure product quality and integrity were maintained without compromising the safety of their operators was essential.

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has seen a growing demand for products that require API’s and with the introduction of highly potent API’s (HPAPI’s), the concern for operator’s safety due to the adverse effects related to the handling of dangerous compounds is becoming more prevalent. Although a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) is widely available, this can only reduce exposure levels rather than eliminate them. Therefore, having certified plant equipment that can help reduce OEL levels must be considered an advantage not only to improve the working environment of operators but also to reduce costs associated with sophisticated PPE and dust containment systems.

Cipla’s new OEL compliant plant was built for the manufacture of a new highly potent drug and as with nearly all processes handling pharmaceutical powders, to ensure specification and quality were upheld a number of sieving operations were required. Firstly, on incoming raw materials to remove any oversized contamination and secondly after granulation to remove undersized particulates.

It was the task of Tapas Datta, factory manager of Cipla plant in Goa, to source a suitable vibro sifter to meet their stringent requirements. Due to the vibrating action of a sieve, dust can be generated very easily and therefore the need for a high containment sieve was required. It was during its showcase at an exhibition in 2005 when he came across the OEL level 5 sieve offered by Russell Finex. Known as the Russell Compact Airlock Sieve®, it utilizes a pneumatic clamping system, which, combined with its patented Twist Lock Inflate (TLI) technology, provides a uniform dust tight seal.

The relationship between Russell Finex and Cipla started in 2001 after purchasing their first circular vibro sifter. To date, the Goa site has multiples of Russell screeners positioned in a variety of production lines carrying out various check screening and grading applications.

The plant has been in operation for over 3 years and Cipla have been looking at ways to improve the process further. Although the cGMP design of the screener is based on clean lines making sanitation easier, reducing the exposure of operators to products during clean down of the sieve can be achieved by retrofitting the Russell WIP system. This spray ball system allows an even spray on the product contact parts to wet the components prior to dismantling the sieve improving handling of the components during clean down.

Speak to a sales engineer today to learn how Russell Finex can provide the right solution to your pharmaceutical production needs.