Celogen Lanka receives outstanding honours at the Sri Lanka National Quality Awards
Celogen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd received the manufacturing (large) award at the prestigious Sri Lanka National Quality Awards (SLNQA) which recognises leaders in quality management and quality achievement within different industry segments in Sri Lanka. Organised by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the companies are evaluated through a stringent process.
“We are thrilled and honoured to receive this prestigious quality award,” said Mr Rishikumar Nadarajah, Managing Director, Celogen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. “It’s a significant milestone and a moment of immense pride and satisfaction for our entire organization. Winning this award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to quality that our team embodies every day”.
He further went on to say, “We view this award as a validation of our core values and principles, which prioritize the well-being of our customers and the integrity of our products. It reaffirms our position as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry in Sri Lanka and underscores
our dedication to delivering high-quality, safe, and effective medicines to our communities.”.
Celogen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd prides itself on its commitment to outstanding quality management and systems. The company has established a quality-centric culture, where every employee is driven by the determination to maintain the highest quality standards.
Celogen Lanka’s highly advanced facility adheres to international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, which enables the company to implement strict quality control measures. In addition, the company utilises rigorous quality control processes at every stage of production, from raw material sourcing to the final product. Their highly sophisticated in-house quality control laboratory employs advanced analytical methods to verify the purity, safety, and efficacy of its pharmaceuticals.
Celogen Lanka maintains thorough and
unwavering regulatory compliance, emphasising its commitment to adhering to all relevant regulatory guidelines and standards. The company also remains transparent, valuing ethical practices, which encourages customers to trust the integrity of the pharmaceuticals produced.
The company fosters a strong connection with its customers through its customer-centric approach - constant engagement and maintaining open lines of communication with the customer, which in turn, helps the company to address concerns and improve its products and services.
Celogen Lanka is an active participant in industry collaborations, constantly engaging with experts, subject leaders, universities, and healthcare professionals. Additionally, the company invests in research and development to introduce innovative, high-quality products to the market, using sustainable manufacturing processes and materials.
These outstanding strengths have also helped the company to achieve significant milestones and receive many recognitions, laurels and certifications, including the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), ISO 9001:2015 standard for Quality Management System, ISO 45001:2018 standard for Occupational Health & Safety, ISO 14001:2015 standard for Environmental Management System, ISO/ IEC 17025:2017 standard for Chemical and Biological Testing, Halal certification for selected brands, US FDA registration for selected brands, and the National Industry Excellence Award 2023 by the Industrial Development Board.
Maintaining and improving quality standards is a continuous and integral part of Celogen’s operations. Their robust Quality Management System (QMS) provides a structured framework for monitoring and improving quality across the operations. Additionally, the company conducts regular internal and external audits to assess and improve quality standards.
Stringent supplier evaluation and qualification processes ensure the quality of raw materials used in the operations, while the company invests in the latest technology and equipment to enhance the quality, precision and efficiency of its processes.
Furthermore, the company uses data analytics and real-time monitoring to track key quality metrics. The company also fosters collaboration among cross-functional teams to address quality issues comprehensively and implement improvements effectively, and encourages continuous improvement culture to its product quality, processes, efficiency and waste.
“We actively seek feedback from customers, healthcare professionals, and regulatory authorities to improve our product,” Mr Nadarajah said, elaborating on the key strategies that allow the company to maintain and improve quality standards. “We invest in research and development to innovate and develop new products, new testing methods and new validation methods to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality”.
“Quality standards also play a pivotal role in regulatory compliance, which is necessary for obtaining approvals to manufacture and distribute drugs,” Mr Nadarajah observed. “Beyond these crucial factors, quality standards build trust with healthcare professionals and the public, providing a competitive edge for pharmaceutical companies. We, as a Sri Lankan pharmaceutical company, have an ultimate ethical responsibility to enhance public health and well-being”.
He believes that the future of the pharmaceutical industry is poised for innovation, driven by biotechnology and digitalization. “We expect personalised medicine and sustainability to be key trends,” he noted. “Regulatory changes, countries working to achieve self-sustainability, global health challenges, and collaborations will shape the industry going into the future. Improving access to medicines, expanding markets, and enhancing patient-centric care will also be priorities for pharmaceutical companies looking to expand their footprint”.
Founded in 2017, Celogen began with a mission to provide high-quality pharmaceuticals manufactured in Sri Lanka that improve the health and lives of people in Sri Lanka and beyond. Over the years, it has grown to become Sri Lanka’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, offering a diverse range of products that encompass various therapeutic areas, from life-saving medicines to over-the-counter treatments.
The company plans to continuously invest significantly in research, development and innovation to pioneer new pharmaceutical solutions and expand its product portfolio. It also plans to make substantial investments to achieve regulatory certifications from US, UK and EU regulators.
Celogen Lanka also aims to focus on sustainable, environmentally friendly practices across its manufacturing operations and its supply chains. It will foster collaborations with research institutions, healthcare providers, and industry leaders to advance healthcare solutions and innovations based on patient-centric treatments and patient well-being.