Accuracy is always important, but this is especially true when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry. And while technology has evolved in this industry to require less and less human interaction, calibration is a process that should be taken very seriously and monitored closely. Keep reading for more information on how to effectively calibrate your pharmaceutical scales.
A Guide to Well Calibrated Pharmaceutical Scales
“Calibration” simply refers to a piece of equipment’s ability to produce trustworthy data, and goes hand-in-hand with validation and qualification to ensure optimal accuracy in pharmaceutical scales. There are many factors that go into calibrating scales, which we’ll go over below.
Types of Calibration
Essentially there are two types of calibration: internal weights and external weights. And these two types sound a lot like their names. With the former, the electronic balance will have one or more internal calibration weights. Calibration with these is performed by adjusting the balance back to zero, the maximum load, and (if necessary) the midpoint of the balance linearity.
The latter kind of calibration involves meeting the requirements outlined by the International Organization of Legal Metrology. There are also specifications surrounding the external weights themselves that must be met.
Calibrating a Pharmaceutical Scale
The more regularly you calibrate your pharmaceutical scales, the less likely you are to run into problems or potentially unusable data. You should calibrate scales and balances at the beginning of use, as well as periodically during testing. If you find a problem, make sure an investigation occurs to find any collected data that may have been affected.
Trust the Experts
Who calibrates your facility’s pharmaceutical scales and how they do it is crucial to accurate calibration. It should always be carried out by an accredited laboratory and with qualified instruments like Acme Scales. Your specific laboratory should also have a calibration procedure in place—not just for scales, but also for any equipment used for measuring.
More and more facilities are beginning to outsource calibration services. The primary reason for this? Speed. More often than not, calibration service laboratories can calibrate more accurately and faster than a lab’s in-house research team could. The pharmaceutical industry is primarily turning their focus toward the processes they carry out that have the most value—and outsourcing everything else. This trend is expected to continue and grow over the coming years.
Acme Scales: Your Partner in Expert Calibration
Calibration is a lot more than just applying test weights. For well calibrated pharmaceutical scales, you need an industry partner you can trust. At Acme Scales, we understand that the key to calibrating your equipment is quality assurance on a reliable timeline.
That’s why we created the “Calibration Service Quality Assurance Program,” so you know you’re getting the best. To learn more, click here. Or reach out to us! We look forward to serving you.