Protecting Your Pharmaceuticals: Safeguarding Against Theft and Spillage with Private Security Services

At Valentis, we understand that the pharmaceutical industry faces unique security challenges that demand specialized protection. The stakes are high when it comes to pharmaceuticals, and ensuring the safety of your products is paramount. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of security for pharmaceutical companies, focusing on two critical areas: theft prevention and spillage containment.

The Pharmaceutical Industry's Security Imperative

Pharmaceutical companies invest substantial resources in research, development, and production to bring essential medicines to market. In many cases, millions of dollars are invested into years of R & D and testing, with the ROI a number of years away. These valuable products are attractive targets for pilfering & large scale theft, from both internal as well as external threats, posing significant risks to public health and the company's bottom line. The lost time a theft could cost the company is difficult to measure. Additionally, pharmaceuticals often include hazardous materials, for which botched attempts at theft could create potential environmental and health hazards. Addressing these concerns is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your operations.

Stop Responding. Start Preventing.

In 2019, pharma theft tended to happen most often via hijacking—accounting for over 40% of thefts—and facility break-ins With such high value cargo, smaller incidents perpetrated by smash and grab, employee theft, and theft of container/trailer are less likely than in consumer goods and automotive industries.^[1]

Theft Prevention: Protecting Your Pharmaceutical Assets. There are always ways to manage costs when it comes to physical plant budgeting. Security should never be compromised.

1. Access Control Systems for Pharmaceutical Security

Implementing robust access control systems is your first line of defense. Restrict access to sensitive areas with biometric authentication, key card systems, and CCTV surveillance. Monitoring and controlling entry points reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

2. Pharmaceutical Security Personnel

Trained security personnel provide a visible deterrent to potential thieves. Their presence can deter criminals and enhance response time in case of a security breach. A well trained team is the first on scene and in all probability, will contain the situation long before law enforcement arrives. We at Valentis have tremendous respect for law enforcement. But the plain truth is that most police departments are grossly undermanned and stretched quite thin. They simply cannot be everywhere all the time, nobody could. By the time they arrive, it could very well be too late. But, the company’s onsite team is the first and last line of defense. And they will perform those duties exceptionally well.

All companies in this space possess proprietary knowledge, trade secrets and experimental compounds still in testing stages, trials and so forth. A breach can be disastrous, costing hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars in loss damage and lost time. These do not happen spur of the moment. Thieves targeting these companies are organized, prepared and will not hesitate toinflict harm on personnel working overnight. The fact is this: a handful of retirees in polo shirts sitting behind a desk watching TV would not even deter girl scouts selling cookies.

This of course does not discount how vital it is that main points of access be secured properly. This cannot be done without a strong focus on excellent customer service skills for visitor interaction. Skills tempered with the security protocols established across the building/campus. If someone is looking to surveil the interior for nefarious purposes, they are walking in the front door.

3. Inventory Management and Pharmaceutical Security

Effective inventory management, including the use of electronic tracking systems, helps you keep a close eye on your products. These systems enable real-time monitoring, ensuring that any discrepancies are addressed promptly. Unfortunately, employee theft is just as much an issue here as in most other industries. This fact cannot be glossed over.

Our research team concluded that:

• 75% of employees admit to stealing from their employer at least once. The key word here? ADMIT.
• Employee theft costs employers up to $50 billion annually.
• Approximately 95% of U.S. businesses are affected by employee theft.
• On average, 5% of an organization’s revenue is lost to employee theft each year.

The possible repercussions for stolen medicines being sold on the street or being tampered with or chemically altered cannot be quantified. This could not only potentially stain the brand name and corporate image, but far worse, harming innocent people. Make no mistake. Anyone bold enough to attempt pulling off a successful theft already has a black market distribution system in place, so that they are not holding stolen product for long. And, there is a market for everything. EVERYTHING.

4. Alarm Systems for Pharmaceutical Security

Utilize state-of-the-art alarm systems to detect unauthorized access or suspicious activities. Alarms can be integrated with local law enforcement for immediate response.

Spillage Containment: Protecting the Environment and Public Health

1. Hazardous Material Storage and Pharmaceutical Security

Properly store hazardous materials in accordance with industry regulations. Ensuring that these materials are securely contained can prevent environmental disasters and health hazards in case of a spill.

2. Spill Response Plan for Pharmaceutical Security

Develop a comprehensive spill response plan that includes containment and clean-up procedures. Regular drills and training for employees can ensure swift and effective responses in the event of a spill.

3. Environmental Monitoring and Pharmaceutical Security

Implement environmental monitoring systems that can detect leaks or spills at an early stage. Timely detection allows for immediate response and mitigation.

Tailored Pharmaceutical Security Solutions

At Valentis, we recognize that every pharmaceutical company has unique security requirements. We offer tailored security solutions that are designed to address your specific needs. Whether you require a comprehensive security strategy, access control systems, or on-site security personnel, we can provide the expertise and resources to safeguard your pharmaceutical operations.

Conclusion

The pharmaceutical industry's security challenges are multifaceted, encompassing theft prevention and spillage containment. Investing in robust security measures not only safeguards your valuable assets but also ensures the safety of your products, the environment, and public health. At Valentis, we are committed to helping pharmaceutical companies mitigate these risks and protect their operations.

Of course, there is so much more to this subject than this space affords. You have the opportunity, now, today, to dramatically upgrade your facility’s security thus preventing any future incidents. Contact us today and together, we will ensure that you never experience the potentially horrible effects of being unprepared.