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.
The Growing Value of Quality & Compliance Professionals in Decentralized Pharma
Find out the reasons why our industry, your company, and employees should value the unique skillset of the quality and compliance professionals more than ever in decentralized pharma.
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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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.
Now that we have years of real-world regulatory outcomes data available, why are we ignoring their power to serve as a corrective lens for our interpretations of the law?
Now that we have years of real-world regulatory outcomes data available, why are we ignoring their power to serve as a corrective lens for our interpretations of the law?
The clinical quality management systems approach developed 20 years ago is not sustainable in the today's industry because we've seen dramatic industry changes in outsourcing, remote monitoring, the use of electronic systems in clinical research, and more. But how do we update our approach for 2022 pharma? This article examines 4 imperatives, including how to accomplish them.
The clinical quality management systems approach developed 20 years ago is not sustainable in the today's industry because we've seen dramatic industry changes in outsourcing, remote monitoring, the use of electronic systems in clinical research, and more. But how do we update our approach for 2022 pharma? This article examines 4 imperatives, including how to accomplish them.
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.
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.