On 11 March, 2020, the Danish Prime Minister declared a shut-down of parts of the public sector in Denmark due to the development of Covid-19. This means that in-door assemblies with more than 100 attendees are no longer allowed and universities, schools, etc. will be closed for the next two weeks.
At Fertin Pharma we initiated our own precautions from end of February. Elevated hygiene requirements, travel restrictions, visitor screening, etc. were initiated. Our internal policies have been reviewed daily ever since, by a Covid-19 Council with top management participation, and adjusted based on latest development and recommendations from the health authorities.
Therefore, the Prime Minister’s announcement as of March 11 was not a big change to our already adapted ways of working. We maintain business as usual — but in a different way. Colleagues who can work from home do so, and those who must be present at Fertin premises to carry out their roles do that. Those working from home will carry on using phone, Skype and email, and those that must be present in the office or in production carry on — under the intensified hygiene regimes and observance of physical distance keeping etc. required by the current situation.
We expect to be able to deliver according to plan. Our staffing at production lines, in the labs, etc. are to date not affected, and in case of a change of this situation we have established contingency plans covering the most sensitive areas of our production. This includes lists of qualified personnel, accelerated training, moving people between different shifts, etc. We are confident that supplies will continue to be available. Raw material orders are confirmed until end of July and we are tracking order shipments, etc. In general, all critical aspects of supplying products are monitored closely on a day-by-day basis. All customers have been informed directly and this will continue following the established communication plan.
Covid-19 has brought us all in a challenging situation. However, Fertin is determined to show the necessary resolve to ensure customers are being supplied, without compromising the health and safety of our employees and on doing what is necessary from a health and society perspective to solve this particular unfortunate situation.
Søren Birn, CEO
Fertin Pharma A/S
Vejle, Friday March 13, 2020
