In the context of global pharmaceutical operations, white label stocking has emerged as a strategic inventory and distribution solution. It involves a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) acting as a custodian for pre-manufactured drug substances or finished drug products. The CDMO stores bulk drug substance or packaged units in GMP-compliant facilities, enabling on-demand labeling, serialization, and order fulfillment aligned with market-specific regulatory requirements.
This model supports pharmaceutical companies by enabling deferred final labeling and packaging, reducing their internal warehousing needs, and facilitating just-in-time (JIT) distribution. White label stocking is particularly advantageous in managing complex, multi-market launches where regulatory labeling and serialization requirements vary significantly across jurisdictions.
The white stock advantage in drug products
Traditional packaging workflows depend on pre-printed labels and cartons tailored to each SKU or market. This model often leads to excess inventory, costly waste from regulatory changes, and delayed launches.
White label stocking in drug products covers standardized, unprinted packaging components held in inventory until final labeling. Coupled with Print on Demand technology (PoD), these components are customized in real time—at the point of final packaging—ensuring clients get what they need, exactly when they need it.
Key advantages include:
1. Maximum flexibility for multi-country distribution
For pharmaceutical companies operating in multiple markets, PoD-enabled white stock offers a game-changing level of flexibility. A single batch of product can now be prepared and labeled in the final packaging step according to country-specific requirements, languages, or regulatory nuances.
2. Efficiency meets compliance
Beyond agility, this solution enhances regulatory compliance and operational excellence. By integrating serialization, variable data printing, and real-time system connectivity, Print on Demand ensures each label is accurate, traceable, and audit ready. Dynamic labeling also helps ensure version control and compliance with fast-evolving regulations without halting production lines or generating waste.
3. Tailored for innovation and low volume products
White stock combined with Print on Demand Technology is also ideal for low-volume, high-complexity production — whether for orphan drugs, personalized medicine, or clinical trials. Clients can benefit from fast turnaround and exact batch sizing, without the traditional overhead or lead time associated with custom-printed packaging.
4. Providing a competitive edge in time-to-market
In a market where time-to-market can determine commercial success or failure, the ability to reduce packaging lead times is of utmost importance. With on-demand labeling, companies can respond faster to sudden demand, regulatory changes, or emergency product needs — without compromising quality or compliance.
Why partnering with a technical expert CDMO is essential
The operational complexity and regulatory rigor of white label stocking mean that only CDMOs with advanced technical infrastructure and deep regulatory knowledge can reliably execute this capability. Expertise must encompass:
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Validated print-and-apply labeling lines with integration into ERP and serialization databases.
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Sophisticated environmental control and monitoring systems to maintain drug product stability.
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Robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) aligned with ICH Q10 "Quality Management System" (drug product) or ICH Q7 (drug substance) and GMP requirements, ensuring traceability and compliance throughout storage and distribution.
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In-depth understanding of global serialization legislation, including capability to manage aggregation and de-aggregation processes.
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Experienced regulatory affairs and quality assurance teams capable of managing multi-region release strategies and regulatory inspections.
Photo: Print on Demand Technology at the Siegfried Barberà del Vallès site
Barberà del Vallès: Your expert partner in white label stocking for drug products
Our cutting-edge development and manufacturing site in Barberà has the ability to execute white label stocking effectively. Through our extensive expertise, we accelerate your path to market from early-phase to high volume commercial manufacturing.
As part of Siegfried’s global network of 13 sites, Barberà provides the agility of a local partner backed by the strength of a global CDMO. With our proven experience across pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms, we ensure resilient supply chains, optimized time-to-market, and the highest quality standards.
If you are interested in learning more about the Barberà del Vallès and its capabilities, contact us:
