Small to midsize pharmaceutical or biotech companies (small pharma) are enjoying the best of times. Many have exciting products with fantastic preclinical and/or clinical results, great platforms for long-term company growth and licensing possibilities, outstanding medical and technical expertise, and support from intellectual/academic experts. However, from a quality systems perspective, it could be the worst of times. Many have weak quality systems, are not following global regulatory authority regulations and/or guidance, or lack the level of documentation required to reconstruct every aspect of clinical trials.
The FDA Speaks Up For Quality Management: Must They Beg?
On Jan. 31, 2024, the FDA, in collaboration with the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy, convened a public workshop, Building Quality into the Design and Conduct of Clinical Studies: Integrating Quality by Design (QbD) and Risk-Based Monitoring (RBM) Approaches.
About the Author

Penelope Przekop, CEO
Penelope Przekop is a is a biopharmaceutical quality assurance and corporate compliance executive consultant with global R&D and commercial PV expertise. During the early 2000s, she developed and oversaw the first global PV quality and compliance departments established for Wyeth as well as Johson & Johnson. Her work includes qualification and oversight of numerous PV vendors covering all aspects of clinical safety and post-marketed PV. Penelope has facilitated numerous PV regulatory inspections. She frequently leads and conducts PV mock inspections and provides in-depth PV training.
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Small to midsize pharmaceutical or biotech companies (small pharma) are enjoying the best of times. Many have exciting products with fantastic preclinical and/or clinical results, great platforms for long-term company growth and licensing possibilities, outstanding medical and technical expertise, and support from intellectual/academic experts. However, from a quality systems perspective, it could be the worst of times. Many have weak quality systems, are not following global regulatory authority regulations and/or guidance, or lack the level of documentation required to reconstruct every aspect of clinical trials.
Amid all this financial and operational strategizing, a huge puzzle piece is often left to the side: compliance.
Amid all this financial and operational strategizing, a huge puzzle piece is often left to the side: compliance.
Don't get caught on your heels. Conducting a mock regulatory inspection in preparation for an FDA, EMA, or other regulatory visit is a key industry inspection readiness activity. Explore six new inspection exercises to help your team prepare for the big day(s).
Don't get caught on your heels. Conducting a mock regulatory inspection in preparation for an FDA, EMA, or other regulatory visit is a key industry inspection readiness activity. Explore six new inspection exercises to help your team prepare for the big day(s).
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) have become the documentation backbone of our industry and, yes, at times, a major pain in the neck. Those of us who were around during the 80s may be able to recall fuzzy memories of SOPs being a thing . Fast forward to 2019, past the birth of ICH, the evolution of outsourcing, the techno explosion and the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, the EU obsession with quality systems, and the more recent rise of the big vendor. Today, we’re buried in mountains of SOPs.
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) have become the documentation backbone of our industry and, yes, at times, a major pain in the neck. Those of us who were around during the 80s may be able to recall fuzzy memories of SOPs being a thing . Fast forward to 2019, past the birth of ICH, the evolution of outsourcing, the techno explosion and the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, the EU obsession with quality systems, and the more recent rise of the big vendor. Today, we’re buried in mountains of SOPs.