Pharmaceutical, Biotech & GMP Manufacturing worked example

Product Hold Cost at 58% share of lots in scope: a worked example

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop share of lots in scope to 58%, then walk the calculation through step by step. Estimate cost of product on hold from held lot count, cost per lot per period, applicable hold scope, and fixed investigation cost.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Lots or batches on hold: 100 lots (held at the documented default)
  • Hold cost per lot per period: 45 $ / lot (held at the documented default)
  • Share of lots in scope: 58 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 80)
  • Fixed investigation or disposition cost: 250 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Variable Product hold cost = Lots or batches on hold × Hold cost per lot × Hold scope included.
  • Total product hold cost works out to 2,860 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Hold cost per lot works out to 28.6 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable product hold cost works out to 2,610 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed disposition cost works out to 250 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where share of lots in scope sits at 80% and the headline result is 3,850 $, this scenario comes in 25.71% below the baseline at 2,860 $.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to share of lots in scope, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. The per-lot hold cost is a period snapshot; a hold that drags on for weeks compounds carrying cost, and this model does not automatically escalate cost with hold duration unless you feed in a longer-period rate.

Results at a glance

  • Total product hold cost: 2,860 $ (headline result)
  • Hold cost per lot: 28.6 $ / piece
  • Variable product hold cost: 2,610 $
  • Fixed disposition cost: 250 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Product Hold Cost calculator, set share of lots in scope to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.