Retrovir introduction at Dartford (1986), pt 2 of 2

Because of the urgency, production of capsules went ahead immediately. Doug Forner of Quality Assurance. Um, we had to get the process right first time on the first production batch and this involved a great deal of analytical input on our part. The first batch involved something of the order of 300 analyses through from the blend in process samples through to the final sample. The product had to meet the final specification and that's exactly what it did do. All paperwork relating to retrovir was given special treatment. Everything was uh put through on the no system which meant as soon as somebody received a piece of paper with retrovir on it, it had to be actioned and passed on down the chain. with our thoughts on flexibility. Um, we just designed the one single pack in the English language which we wanted to be suitable for all the world uh requiring sales packs for countries where an English language pack was unacceptable. They could put a local language label on the side of the carton. the company went out of its way to ensure a fair distribution system. Um to do that um we worked on figures published by the World Health Organization and very loosely the the allocations were just derived at from the amount of drug available in the UK and welcome USA company policy has been though is that once a patient is started on retrovir they will continue to be supplied with that drug. Welcome are proud of the team effort that went into bringing Retrovir to the market. By investing in the latest technology and making full use of computerized equipment, we now have sufficient capacity to meet foreseeable demand for this product through normal distribution channels. It usually takes at least 3 years to get everything right. With Retrovir, the first capsules left Dartford early in March in 1987, just six hectic months after the decision to go ahead with production. One would normally expect to work long hours in the office or take work home. Uh, with Retrovir, it was both and it was continual. There was an immense feeling of satisfaction when you know we saw the first material uh coming off the production line as it were. Um there was quite a crowd of us gathered around to have a look at it. None of us really knew what it looked like and uh there were a few cheers went up when we we made the first batch. It was a it was a tremendous challenge um because of deadlines um because of the very fine limits which we had to meet. Yes, it was it was enjoyable.