Lean is all about speed and streamlined processes and Six Sigma has the statistically sound methods and tools. From these merits alone it is not surprising that Lean Six Sigma will find its way to the pharma and biotech laboratories.
True enough, Lean Six Sigma can put the quality into the process of drug discovery and development. As Narendra Soman said,
With steadily increasing R&D costs, lagging productivity, and the continuing need to adopt, implement, and integrate novel processes and technologies, the pharma and biotech sectors are well-positioned to benefit from the advantages that Lean Six Sigma has to offer. Its robust, statistically sound methods and tools will help these industries conserve resources, optimize protocols and processes, and streamline operations. This structured approach complements the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s process analytical technology initiative published in 2003 to design quality into drug products, rather than test quality into final dosage forms. Over time, Lean Six Sigma will become a seamless and critical operational strategy that will enable lasting change and significant improvements in efficiency and productivity.
If anything else, this makes me feel a lot better. If only we could also apply Lean and Six Sigma to the practice of medicine. We can surely avoid, if not eliminate, what we call medical malpractice.
*Photo from Stock.Xchng
