CPHI Podcast Series: analysing supplier audits with the PSCI

This episode of the CPHI Podcast Series, hosted by Digital Editor Lucy Chard, goes through the results from the recent audits from the PSCI conducted on suppliers across the pharmaceutical industry, looking into ESG outcomes. 

The PSCI have recently published the results from their supplier audits and to talk us through these Digital Editor Lucy Chard is joined by Birgit Skuballa. Skuballa represents Bayer in the PSCI as Chair of the PSCI Audit Committee, and gives us a information on how these audits work, the different pillars across the pharmaceutical industry that the audits address, how this changes regionally, and importantly, how the PSCI work with their members and the participating suppliers afterwards to improve their practices.

Skuballa works with the German Company Bayer AG. She leads the global HSE Audits & Supplier Management team. She holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry and has been around 30 years within the Pharma/Chemical Industry, assuming different roles in the areas of active ingredient and pharmaceutical production, GMP/Quality Management & Audits, HSE Management & internal Audits, Supplier Audit Management (PSCI, HSE, Social). She represents Bayer in the PSCI as Chair of the PSCI Audit Committee. 

The PSCI audits examine suppliers and those suggested by member companies based on the PSCI Principles of Ethics, Labor & Human Rights, Health & Safety, Environment, and Management Systems. The audits include examination of facilities according to a careful laid out process, as well as interviews with relevent stakeholders. After the audit is completed, the PSCI produce a Corrective Action Plan, showing exactly how companies can improve upon their weaker points. 

Skuballa impresses how the audits are not about policing companies, but more about working together and supporting them in their journeys to improve. 

To listen to the full episode now, see here.