Abstract

This study is conducted to explore the applications of lean manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical industry. It is observed that unlike the automobile industries, very few studies are conducted to explore the applications of lean manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical industry. At the initial stage the rigorous search is conducted to search the sufficient relevant data from the research journals, books, conference proceedings, magazines and the internet. After the initial search the most relevant and authentic data is selected for further process. After the appropriate selection of the most relevant and authentic data, the selected data is sorted to conduct the initial data analysis. After the successful initial data analysis the detailed analysis is conducted. During the detailed data analysis, the lean manufacturing practices are identified in the context of pharmaceutical industry. Later, the lean manufacturing practices are short listed on the basis of the frequency and the scope of applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Most relevant and suitable case studies are also discussed to explain applications of these selected lean manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical industry. In the conclusion, the most notable lean manufacturing practices in the context of pharmaceutical industry are identified and discussed in detail. Also, the applications of these lean manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical industry are discussed with the help of suitable examples and related case studies.

Keywords                                                                                               

lean manufacturing, review, applications, pharmaceutical industry, lean manufacturing practices