GSK Australia has announced that it plans to invest AUD31 million in blow-fill-seal equipment for the manufacture of Venolin salbutamol nebules at its facility in Boronia, a suburb of Melbourne. The company cited increasing demand for asthma treatments from Turkey, Brazil, and China as the reason for the retrofit.
The Boronia site is GSK’s largest liquid product facility and has been in operation for 25 years. Production on the new machine should begin in January 2016.
GSK Australia VP and General Manager Pharmaceuticals Geoff McDonald commented, “Over the past four decades we have invested more in respiratory than any other company. Our focus and expertise in this area has allowed us tremendous insight into patient needs across the world. Investing in improved presentations and manufacturing innovation is just one way we can continue to address these.”
GSK Asia Pacific and North Asia Regional Supply Chain Head Pharmaceuticals Gregor McNab added, ‘‘Cutting edge manufacturing technology plays a vital role for advancing global public health, particularly in emerging markets where affordability can be an issue. By applying the latest technology to our existing practices we can increase our efficiency, lower costs and improve access of our medicines to those who need them.”
Read the GSK Australia press release.
