The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented operational demands across the pharmaceutical industry. For a longstanding Qinecsa client, a top-5 pharmaceutical company, maintaining continuity in critical case processing activities required a rapid and large-scale workforce expansion without compromising compliance, quality, or operational performance.
Drawing on its global pharmacovigilance expertise and operational delivery capabilities, Qinecsa partnered closely with the client to implement a scalable resourcing strategy designed to support immediate needs while maintaining high service standards.
The Challenge: Rapidly Expanding Pharmacovigilance Operations
As reporting demands increased during the pandemic, the client required substantial additional case processing capacity within an extremely compressed timeframe. More than 800 full-time equivalents (FTEs) were needed within a three-month period to support a significant expansion of the existing operating model.
Maintaining Quality During Accelerated Growth
The challenge extended beyond recruitment alone. Timelines were exceptionally aggressive, yet compliance requirements and quality expectations remained unchanged. The client needed a trusted pharmacovigilance partner capable of scaling operations rapidly while ensuring continuity of service and maintaining established governance standards.
The Qinecsa Approach
A Structured Workforce Scale-Up Strategy
To support the initiative, Qinecsa deployed a dedicated screening, recruitment, and onboarding team, supported by a project manager responsible for stakeholder coordination and delivery oversight. A dedicated logistics function was also established to facilitate onboarding in a work-from-home environment.
Supporting Business Continuity
While new resources were recruited and onboarded, the client’s existing operating model remained in place. More than 1,000 FTEs continued supporting ongoing business activities, helping minimize disruption throughout the scale-up process.
Strengthening Governance and Oversight
To ensure consistent quality during rapid growth, Qinecsa introduced additional management and buffer resources to support training, oversight, and governance. Additional quality control measures were implemented for new recruits to help maintain established performance standards throughout onboarding and deployment.
The Outcome: Rapid Deployment Without Compromising Quality
Qinecsa successfully onboarded the required additional workforce within the agreed timeframe, enabling the client to continue critical pharmacovigilance and case processing activities during a period of significant operational pressure.
Robust operational processes ensured quality was maintained in line with client expectations throughout the ramp-up period. The client’s team also commended the transparency of leadership communications and stakeholder management during challenging circumstances.