The use of after-market replacement parts for tablet press machinery is not an uncommon practice in today’s economy because many pharmaceutical manufacturers believe that using such replacement parts can be just as effective as using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. The perceived benefit of using these after-market parts is often reflected in a lower initial price. However, recent studies have shown that in some instances, an initial lower price is no substitute for long-term quality.

The following pages will examine one specific instance where after-market parts (in this case, tablet press compression rolls) are an inadequate option when compared to OEM replacement parts.