FAQs
About APS
- Who is Active Pharma Supplies Ltd?
Active Pharma Supplies Ltd located in Lancashire, England. Our dedicated team is composed of highly experienced pharmaceutical proffesionals that that specialise in pharmaceutical starting materials including APIs. Together, we work tirelessly to provide exceptional service and support to our valued clients.
- Where are you based?
Active Pharma Supplies Ltd is headquartered in Chorley and Leyland, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom. Our strategic location near the motorway ensures convenient access for efficient delivery routes.
- When are you open?
Our business hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Quality
- What licenses do you hold?
We hold a MHRA API registration, so we are licensed to import, export and distribute APIs for Human use. We also hold a manufacturing license, so we can repack and sub batch pharmaceutical starting materials for human use. Site License API 42785 We are inspected and certified for GMP and GDP by the MHRA. GMP & GDP Inspection 42785/13455310
- Can you provide detailed technical data sheets for the materials?
Yes
- Are there any variations or grades available?
Yes, we can supply a variety of grades from Pharmaceutical starting material ready for use in formulations to technical grade materials. Including EU sourced material, CEPs, GMP excipients, Food grade material, Cosmetic ingredients, biochemicals, peptide-based materials for life science use.
- Can I request samples for quality testing?
Each request for QC samples is regarded on its own merits. Most of our pack sizes are suitable as sample sizes.
- What quality control measures are in place for these materials?
Materials are internal risk sewed and scored using our internal processes. All materials are supplied with a suite of QA documentation. All materials are provided with manufacturing site quality certificates current to date of production, chemical and biological cross contamination risk assessments and batch quality control data. If available we will include additional information on process of manufacturing and stability. All materials have documented chain of custody from manufacturer to our goods out.
Every material that is repacked undergoes a pharmacopeial equivalent identification process.
- Do the raw materials meet industry standards or specific regulatory requirements?
Yes all materials are supplied in compliance with local regulatory and legal requirements.
- Can you provide certificates of analysis or compliance?
Yes all materials are supplied with certificates of analysis or certificates of compliance/ conformity.
- What is your track record for quality and consistency?
We welcome client audits either remotely or face to face. we are also regularly audited by the UK competent authority the MHRA for GMP and GDP compliance.
- Do you offer technical support or guidance?
Our in-house quality team can offer technical support and guidance and this can be upgraded to consultancy on matters relating to pharmaceutical starting materials. Please enquire.
- What are your quality assurance processes?
We operate a UKGMP quality system inspected by the MHRA for GMP and GDP compliance. This is equivalent to EUGMP and we also possess a current written confirmation of GMP equivalent to EUGMP.
Products
- What products do APS supply?
We offer a large range of products stocked in our UK premises, ready for dispatch, with a next day delivery service available. Pack sizes range from 1g to 25 Kg with bespoke package sizes available.
- What sizes are available?
The available sizes of the products are listed on the product pages. We are also able to offer bespoke sizes, packaging and repacking to support your requirements.
- What products do APS source?
We source products globally through our network of partnerships and suppliers. If a product is not listed on our product page, we should still be able to assist. Email our team or complete our contact form and we will be able to assist.
- Do you handle hazardous goods?
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), often abbreviated as API’s, are the essential chemical compounds or substances responsible for the therapeutic effect of a pharmaceutical drug. These substances are the biologically active components in a medication that produce the desired pharmacological effect when administered to a patient.
In simpler terms, APIs are the key ingredients in medications that make them effective. They are typically formulated together with various excipients (inactive substances) to create the final pharmaceutical product, such as tablets, capsules, injections, or topical creams. APIs are subject to strict quality and safety regulations to ensure their purity, efficacy, and safety when used in the production of pharmaceutical drugs.
- What are excipients?
Some common roles of excipients include:
- Binder: Excipients can be used to hold the active ingredients together in tablet or pill form, ensuring that the medication maintains its shape and structure.
- Filler or Diluent: They may be used to increase the bulk of a medication, especially in cases where a small quantity of API is required. This aids in the uniform distribution of the active ingredient.
- Disintegrant: Excipients can promote the breakdown of a tablet or capsule into smaller particles when it comes into contact with moisture or the digestive system, aiding in drug absorption.
- Flavouring and Colouring Agents: Excipients can improve the taste and appearance of oral medications, making them more palatable and visually appealing.
- Preservatives: In some formulations, excipients act as preservatives to prolong the shelf life of the product.
- Lubricants and Glidants: These substances help prevent ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment and facilitate the flow of powders during the manufacturing process.
- Coatings: Excipients can be used to create coatings that provide controlled release of the active ingredient or mask the taste of a medication.
- Buffering Agents: They help maintain the pH level of a medication within a specific range, ensuring stability and compatibility with the body’s physiology.
- Stabilisers: Excipients can enhance the stability of a drug, preventing degradation or chemical changes during storage.
- Solvents and Vehicles: In liquid medications, excipients serve as the liquid base or vehicle in which the active ingredient is dissolved or suspended.
- What are starting materials?
Starting materials, in the context of a pharmaceutical ingredients supplier, refer to the raw materials or chemical substances that are used as the foundation for the synthesis or production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or other pharmaceutical products. These materials are the initial substances from which the pharmaceutical compounds are created. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Chemical Substances: Starting materials can be chemical compounds, whether organic or inorganic, that serve as the building blocks for the synthesis of APIs or other pharmaceutical products. These substances can include reagents, intermediates, and precursors.
- Quality and Purity: It’s crucial that starting materials are of high quality and purity since any impurities or variations in the starting materials can affect the quality, safety, and efficacy of the final pharmaceutical product.
- Regulatory Compliance: The production and use of starting materials in pharmaceutical manufacturing are regulated by various governmental agencies, such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Custom Synthesis: Some pharmaceutical suppliers offer custom synthesis services, where they can tailor the starting materials to meet the specific requirements of a pharmaceutical manufacturer or research organisation. This involves modifying or synthesising starting materials to achieve desired chemical properties.
- Documentation: Detailed documentation, including certificates of analysis (CoA), safety data sheets (SDS), and batch records, is typically provided by the supplier to pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure traceability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Supply Chain Management: Reliable and consistent access to high-quality starting materials is critical for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Suppliers play a crucial role in managing the supply chain to ensure a steady and uninterrupted flow of starting materials to their customers.
Pricing / Quote
- How do I request and receive a quote?
There are several ways to request a quote:
- Contact us with the product, quantity and your name and company details.
- Find the product on our product page and request a quote directly from this page. There is also the option to add other products to the quote page.
- Complete our contact form with the relevant details.
- Is there a minimum quantity I need to order?
We do not stipulate minimum order quantities. We aim to support your requirements, no matter the product or the quantities.
- Are there any bulk or volume discounts available?
We offer discounts on bulk or large orders.
Ordering
- How do I become a customer?
For new customers a customer application form must be completed. This can be obtained by calling 01772 367977 or by contacting us via this link
- What is the ordering process?
Once you are a customer and the relevant quality checks and licenses have been received an enquiry or purchase order can be processed. A quotation will be sent to the customer. Once approved and we are in receipt of a Purchase Order the order will be processed.
- Can you help with forecasting and inventory management to ensure a steady supply?
We can! This is something our team have a lot of experience in. We look at your requirements, regular usage of products and create a plan to forecast future usage. This ensures sustained supply of your regular orders, reduced carriage cost due to collated order shipping and enhanced sustainability efforts.
- Are you open to discussing long-term agreements?
Yes, our commercial and sales team welcome discussions and take pride in developing partnerships with companies looking for innovative solutions and stable suppliers.
- Do you offer call off orders?
Yes our warehouse is able to support sourcing, stocking and dispatching of orders in line with your requirements. Call off orders are a good tool to ensure a stable supply of goods in line with your requirements and demands. Contact us to discuss this further.
- What are the terms and benefits of such agreements?
Ensure stock availability, supporting department requirements
Customer service
- How can I reach your customer support team in case of issues or questions?
Our customer services team can be reached by calling 01772 367977 or by contacting us via this web site. They will be happy to assist you.
- Is there a dedicated account manager or sales representative?
Yes each client is provided with a dedicated account manage that will partner with you to ensure you get the best possible supply of material.
- What is your response time for enquiries or complaints?
We will respond to all queries within 48 hrs during office hours.
- What types of starting materials are available?
We have a wide range of readily available pharmaceutical starting materials suite to the time critical supply demands of the UK pharmaceutical specials industry that specialise in supplying NHS clinical need.
- Is there a regular supply available of products?
Yes products are readily available in a variety of pack sizes.
- Which raw materials are currently in stock?
Please search the following link for our current next day items. Each product page will display which pack size are available next day.
- What customisations options are available?
We can rework or repack pharmaceutical starting materials to your specification. This includes our service only offering.
We often perform intermediary work in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This includes reworking packs for specific production environment requirements or other technical processes such as preparing API for gamma irradiation.
- What is the lead time for delivery or pickup?
Order before 12pm and we can delivery next day or make it ready for collection same day.
Ask us about urgent same day delivery.
- Can you accommodate rush orders if needed?
Yes we are very flexible and understand the dynamic needs of our clients. If you have a problem and want to resolve. please get in touch we may be able to help. We have a same day service to anywhere in the country depending on time of day and distance.
- How long does it take to receive a sourced product?
We endeavour to source materials in the shortest time possible. We have an excellent global network of GMP manufacturers high quality manufacturers, which gives us unrivalled ability to source and import the exact material you need.
Payment
- What payment options do you offer?
We offer BACS payments via purchase order and invoicing. In some circumstances we can offer a credit facility.
- What are the payment terms and options available?
We help your cash flow! If you are successful in receiving a credit limit our standard terms are EOM plus 30 days. Contact us for our standard terms and conditions of trade and supply.
Shipping / Delivery
We have a wide variety of delivery and shipping methods. All incoterms options are considered.
We can ship in all temperature conditions same day dedicated, or next day via network and group-age.
We also specialise in the delivery of ADR dangerous good materials that are also pharmaceutical ingredients.
We can ship small cartons, pallets to bulk full loads.
Repack
- What does the repacking facility offer?
We are MHRA approved repacker. As a specialist repacker we are licensed to offer a range of pack sizes to suit all of your needs, from 1gram to 1Tonne.
Our experienced team can handle all types of hazardous materials including toxic, corrosive and oxidising materials.
This service offers solutions to solve minimum order quantity issues direct from manufacturers.
Possible solutions range from small quantity orders, temperature-controlled repacking all which can be validated according to your license needs.
- What is a clean room?
A clean room is a controlled environment designed to minimise the introduction, generation, and retention of particles and contaminants to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical products and processes.
Clean rooms are critical in pharmaceutical manufacturing, research, and development because even small particles or contaminants can have a significant impact on the quality and safety of drugs and other medical products.
Key features of a clean room in a pharmaceutical lab include:
- Controlled Air Quality: Clean rooms have sophisticated air handling systems that control temperature, humidity, and airflow. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) or ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filters are used to remove particles and contaminants from the air.
- Stringent Sterility
- Personnel and Equipment Garments: People working in clean rooms are required to wear specialised cleanroom garments, including coveralls, gloves, masks, and sometimes full-body suits, to prevent the introduction of contaminants.
- Controlled Access: Entry to a clean room is restricted, and there are procedures in place to ensure that only authorised personnel enter. Entry and exit often involve airlocks or anterooms to maintain pressure differentials.
- Regular Monitoring: Clean rooms are continuously monitored for airborne particles, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. This monitoring ensures that the room remains within the specified cleanliness standards.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance of clean rooms are essential to prevent the buildup of contaminants and to ensure that equipment and surfaces remain free of particles.
- What are your clean rooms services?
Possible solutions range from small quantity orders, temperature-controlled repacking into smaller containers or into larger containers all of which can be validated according to your requirements.
- What shipping and delivery options do you offer?
At Active Pharma Supplies we offer several options for dispatching items:
Standard courier service – for small, low cost and low weight items.
Same day shipping – for high value important items that are needed quickly.
Next day shipping
Pallet shipping – for large, heavy items or for large quantities.
Controlled ambient and cold chain shipping.
At all times we look to fulfil our orders in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- How do you deliver hazardous goods?
Hazardous goods are determined by the materials MSDS sheet.
Where the material is ADR the material will be packed and transported in compliance with the guidance.
ADR stands for the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.
- What is your packaging process to ensure safe delivery?
All products are sealed securely before dispatch to prevent tampering. For many products this will include being placed into cardboard boxes sealed with Active Pharma Supplies anti-tampering tape.
For other products this may include using anti-tamper tape covering the lid to ensure the lid cannot be opened without the tape being disturbed.
Some alternative anti-tamper options may include numbered tags, packaged into pallets or other suitable methods to secure delivery.
- Do you offer international shipping?
Yes we can cater for international shipping
- Can you assist with the customs documentation and process?
Yes, we can help with customs import and export documents.
Sustainability
- What is the API supply chain and why does it matter?
The API supply chain is a transparent and traceable chain of custody from GMP manufacturing site to your door using GDP and environmental controlled logistics along the entire journey, with validated stability data and control data.
- What is your company's environmental and sustainability policy?
Our product and service offering keys in to our clients sustainability needs. We are ideally placed to minimise chemical waste thoughout out all our clients processes. Waste inventory is a high cost to all manufacturers and often occurs when manufacturers of starting materials have inflexible minimum order quantities or pack sizes. Most materials have short stability and destroying waste is also expensive. By purchasing from Active Pharm Supplies ltd, you can purchase only what you need as we use our global network and clients to provide or sub batch small and customs batch sizes.