What are the pros and cons and compliance considerations of choosing an industrial or commercial building as premises for a pharmaceutical business?

Choosing an industrial building or commercial building as premises for a pharmaceutical business involves balancing cost, compliance and operational convenience. Industrial buildings generally offer lower rents, larger units, higher floor loading capacity and freight lifts, making them suitable for receiving and dispatching large volumes of medicines. However, some older industrial buildings may have poor hygiene and security, requiring additional investment in refurbishment. Commercial buildings are generally in convenient locations, with better building management and security and a better overall environment. However, rents are high, units are smaller, and there may be various restrictions on transporting goods, such as time-limited use of passenger lifts. From a compliance perspective, whichever type of building is chosen, you must ensure that the unit’s Occupation Permit and land lease allow it to be used as a ‘warehouse’ or for ‘non-domestic’ purposes.