Standard Operating Procedure for Tablet Storage and Retrieval

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide guidelines for the proper storage, organization, and retrieval of tablets in the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. This SOP ensures that tablets are stored under controlled conditions, easily accessible, and that the correct inventory is maintained at all times.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel involved in tablet storage and retrieval, including warehouse staff, production operators, and quality control personnel.

3. Responsibilities

• Warehouse Staff: Responsible for the proper storage and organization of tablets in the designated storage area.
• Production Operators: Responsible for requesting the required tablets from the warehouse and returning any unused tablets after the production process.
• Quality Control (QC) Personnel: Responsible for conducting periodic checks on tablet inventory to ensure accuracy and compliance with this SOP.
• Production Supervisor: Responsible for overseeing the tablet storage and retrieval process and addressing any issues or discrepancies.

4. Procedure

4.1 Tablet Storage:

• Store tablets in a dedicated and well-organized storage area, following the first-in-first-out (FIFO) principle to use older batches first.
• Ensure that the storage area is clean, dry, and free from direct sunlight to maintain the tablets’ stability and prevent contamination.
• Use appropriate storage containers, such as sealed bins or containers, to protect the tablets from environmental factors and potential damage.
• Label each storage container with essential information, including the product name, batch number, expiry date, and any other relevant details.
• Maintain proper segregation of different products and batches to prevent cross-contamination.

4.2 Tablet Retrieval:

• Production operators should request the required tablets from the warehouse through a formal request process, providing the necessary details like product name, quantity, and batch number.
• Warehouse staff should verify the request against the available inventory and ensure that the requested tablets meet the required specifications.
• Retrieved tablets should be carefully inspected for any visible defects or damages before being handed over to the production operators.
• Any unused tablets after the production process should be returned to the warehouse promptly and logged back into inventory.

4.3 Inventory Management and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate records of the tablet inventory, including stock levels, batch numbers, and expiry dates.
• Regularly update the inventory records after each receipt, storage, and retrieval of tablets.
• Conduct periodic cycle counts and reconcile the physical inventory with the documented records to identify and correct any discrepancies.
• Keep a log of any damaged or expired tablets and follow appropriate procedures for their disposal.

5. Abbreviations

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
QC: Quality Control
FIFO: First-In-First-Out

6. Documents

The following documents are relevant to this SOP:

• Tablet Storage and Inventory Log
• Tablet Retrieval Request Form
• Tablet Disposal Procedure

7. References

No specific external references are required for this SOP as it is based on internal company procedures and industry best practices.

8. SOP Version

This is version 1.0 of the SOP for Tablet Storage and Retrieval, effective as of [Insert Date].