Cirrus Containments, a British manufacturer of pharmaceutical isolators used in hospital aseptic services, has joined the Made in Britain campaign as healthcare providers review equipment used to prepare sterile medicines.
Based in Buckinghamshire, Cirrus manufactures sealed containment systems that protect medicines from contamination during preparation while providing a physical barrier between pharmacy staff and potentially hazardous substances, including radioactive materials.
The company has gained the right to use the Made in Britain trademark as it looks to expand its UK and international business.
The move comes amid increased attention to contamination control following the revision of EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Annex 1, which sets out requirements for the manufacture of sterile medicinal products.
The revised guidelines became applicable in the UK in August 2023.
Cirrus said the updated requirements have prompted some hospital pharmacies to assess whether their existing pharmaceutical isolators remain suitable for their needs.
“There is a lot of focus in hospital pharmacies at the moment on Annex 1 and what the latest requirements mean for the way these medicines are prepared. We're speaking to pharmacies that are looking at their existing equipment and asking whether it still meets what is required of them,” said Edward Bromilow, Sales and Marketing Manager at Cirrus Containments.
“We're a smaller, agile manufacturer and our products aren't simply taken off the shelf. We have a core design, but from there we can work closely with each customer to create the configuration they need.”
Local manufacturing and supply chain
Cirrus said most of its outsourced manufacturing takes place within approximately 20 minutes of its Buckinghamshire base, including specialist metalwork used in its isolators.
The company said the proximity of its suppliers allows staff to work directly with manufacturers on component specifications, quality requirements and intellectual property.
Bromilow said the company wanted to make its British manufacturing credentials more visible to customers, including those in overseas markets.
“We keep our supply chain remarkably local. Most of the manufacturing we outsource is within about 20 minutes of us, which means we can sit down with suppliers and make sure they understand exactly what we need,” he said.
Established in 2013, Cirrus initially grew largely through recommendations between hospital pharmacists.
The company now sells to seven countries across three continents, including Peru, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, alongside its core markets in the UK and Ireland.
Bromilow said its long-term ambition is to become a partner for aseptic compounding and nuclear medicine facilities worldwide.
Cirrus has previously supplied NHS facilities including the Royal United Hospital in Bath and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
