Brivo Ensures Amneal Pharmaceuticals Maintains Security and FDA Compliance
Brivo Systems LLC, provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications for security management, recently announced that Amneal Pharmaceuticals has installed Brivo ACS WebService at four company locations, covering 125 doors, and managing nearly 1,000 employees and contractors.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is a U.S.-based firm that develops, manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceuticals regulated and approved by the U.S. FDA. Known as “Generic’s New Generation,” the company utilizes its newly expanded R&D and manufacturing capabilities to conceive breakthrough developments with lasting impact for a robust product pipeline.
“We are in the narcotics manufacturing business; security is top priority,” said Rob Symbouras, DEA compliance manager and security manager. “We are very security minded, and we have access control and CCTV installed on top of our burglar alarm systems extensively throughout our manufacturing plants, warehouse, vaults, perimeters, and offices. Our security systems help ensure we comply with strict FDA guidelines to ensure Good Manufacturing Practices, avoid product cross contamination, and guard against sabotage and employee theft.”
Amneal began installing Brivo in 2006 and, at present, the company uses Brivo ACS WebService to manage approximately 125 doors at four facilities, with the focus on its manufacturing plants.
“We have to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering manufacturing rooms as well as limit access to the specific areas of the facility based on an employee’s job description," Symbouras said. "For the vaults, where controlled substances are stored, Amneal employs three layers of security—alarm codes, access control, and requiring two people to simultaneously provide both halves of the necessary access information.”
“When I’m visiting family, it’s easy to just jump on any computer—doesn’t matter which browser—no VPN, just log-in and password, and I’m ready to go," Symbouras said. "Another advantage is my IT Department doesn’t need to be concerned for anything about this system —they provide a connection to the cloud and their job is done; no backups, upgrades, maintenance, no headaches.”
Amneal is in the expansion process. At one Amneal manufacturing plant, a 380,000-square foot addition is underway. Over the next few years, Symbouras estimates they’ll add upwards to 75 more doors to their Brivo system. Of the 950-plus people under management, Symbouras has them divided into 91 groups with different levels, schedules, and locations of access.
“A day doesn’t go by that I’m not asked to give or take away access,” Symbouras said. “I got an email earlier today asking how many employees are allowed into a certain room. We have that information at our fingertips, and we have the capability to maintain an intricate level of who can go where, when, and know where anyone has been at any time.” Amneal has video surveillance installed anywhere the Brivo system is installed. Using the two systems in tandem Symbouras and staff use Brivo to trace someone around a building and then use the video to locate them and verify identity and activity.