Background

In preparing for an upcoming 21 CFR Part 11 audit by the FDA, a pharmaceutical chemical manufacturer required a gap analysis. The goal of the chemical products company was to determine compliance of quality and laboratory software to requirements for electronic records.

 

Challenge

RCA was contracted to perform a gap analysis for software systems used by chemical suppliers. Eight quality management system (QMS system) and twenty-nine lab software systems were analyzed in the chemical factories based in USA.

 

Approach

Regulatory Compliance Associates^® Inc. developed a gap assessment strategy based on each unique chemical manufacturing plant. Client interviews were conducted based on specialty chemical manufacturing and each software system. A gap testing questionnaire was used with each level of manufacturing team member. 

Answers were reached to determine compliance with chemical manufacturing industry standards and specific requirements of Part 11. Then a risk assessment was performed to determine highest risk software systems based on compliance with Part 11.

Finally the gap analysis process prioritized each of the software systems based on the risk analysis. This prioritization was used to develop a data gap analysis and remediation plan to bring all software into compliance.

 

Result

The final gap analysis document results was presented to the chemical supplier company. It contained a detailed SWOT analysis and software gap analysis to prioritize work needed for the remediation plan. Each production facility had an individual remediation action plan and recommendations to reach regulatory compliance. 

Within a month of the gap assessment, the FDA revisited the client’s corporate headquarters. The Food and Drug Administration reviewed the findings and remediation plans. The FDA determined the client demonstrated a regulatory pathway to eliminate the non compliance. No additional regulatory observation was given and the FDA approved the client was in compliance with 21 CFR Part 11. 

 

About RCA’s Pharmaceutical Services

Regulatory Compliance Associates (RCA)^® has helped thousands of pharmaceutical companies meet regulatory, compliance, quality assurance, and remediation challenges. With more than 20 years of experience with FDA, Health Canada, EU and global regulatory agencies worldwide, RCA offers leading pharmaceutical consultants that can help you navigate through the challenges associated with evolving industry regulations.

Our team of over 500 seasoned FDA, Health Canada and EU compliance consultants and regulatory affairs experts can understand the complexities surrounding the pharmaceutical industry and the unique inner workings of the regulatory process. 

 

Client Solutions

Whether you’re in the product planning, development or pharmaceutical lifecycle management stage or need a remediation strategy for a compliance crisis, RCA^® Inc. will guide you through every step of the regulatory process and create a customized approach depending on your product and your pharma company’s individual needs. Our clients include:

• Companies new to FDA, Health Canada or EU regulations and the pharmaceutical industry
• Start-up organizations with novel submissions to 510(k) submissions from multi-national corporations
• Investment firms seeking private equity due diligence for pre-acquisition and post-deal research
• Law firms seeking expertise in the remediation of warning letters, consent decrees, 483’s or import bans

 

Regulatory Affairs

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates^® Inc.’s backbone and we fully understand the complexities of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our expertise spans all facets and levels of Regulatory Affairs, from Regulatory Support for New Products to Life Cycle Management, to other services like Outsourced Regulatory Affairs, Submissions, Training, and more.

As your partner, we can negotiate the potential assessment minefield of pharmaceuticals with insight, hindsight, and the clear advantage of our breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. We offer the following four regulatory affairs services for pharmaceutical companies.

• New Product Support
• Product Lifecycle
• Other Regulatory Services

 

Compliance Assurance

The regulations process surrounding pharmaceutical companies can be tricky for even the most experienced industry veteran to understand, and just one misstep could mean significant and lasting consequences for your business. At RCA^® Inc., we offer the experience and resources necessary to guide you in quality compliance.

• Assessments
• 21 CFR Part 11 Audits
• Regulatory Agency Response
• Preparation and Training
• Inspection Readiness

 

Quality Assurance

Regulatory Compliance Associates^® Inc.’s Quality Assurance services include assessments, strategy, implementations, staff augmentations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement, aligning with your business needs and goals. Our consultants are quality experts with experience spanning major corporations and start-ups. We know firsthand how to achieve, maintain, and improve quality, and we excel in transferring this knowledge to your organization.

• 21 CFR Part 11
• Data Integrity
• Manufacturing Support
• Facility Support

 

Remediation 

Regulatory Compliance Associates^® Inc. has significant experience and a proven approach to managing FDA Warning Letters, Consent Decrees, Remediation and other serious regulatory situations. We know how to partner with executive, legal, and communication teams, and will assist management with a response that will be accepted by the regulatory agency and be realistic to execute. We can develop a comprehensive proof book of documented objective evidence demonstrating the corrective actions taken to remediate non-compliant issues. In addition, RCA can help prepare a comprehensive strategy to assist in your remediation efforts, drive continuous improvement, and maintain compliance with the regulations.

• Regulatory Action
• Warning Letter
• 483 Observation
• Oversight Services

 

About RCA

Regulatory Compliance Associates^® (RCA) provides regulatory compliance consulting to the following industries for resolution of life science challenges:

• Pharmaceutical
• Biologic & Biotechnology
• Sterile compounding
• Medical device
• Lab Testing

We understand the complexities of running a life science business and possess areas of expertise that include every facet of R&D, operations, regulatory affairs, quality, and manufacturing. We are used to working on the front lines and thriving in the scrutiny of FDA, Health Canada, MHRA and globally-regulated companies.

As your partners, we can negotiate the potential minefield of regulatory compliance and regulatory due diligence with insight, hindsight, and the clear advantage of our unique expertise and experience.

• Founded in 2000
• Headquartered in Wisconsin (USA)
• Expertise backed by over 500 industry subject matter experts
• Acquired by Sotera Health in 2021

 

About Sotera Health

The name Sotera Health was inspired by Soteria, the Greek goddess of safety, and reflects the Company’s unwavering commitment to its mission, Safeguarding Global Health^®.

Sotera Health Company, along with its three best-in-class businesses – Sterigenics^®, Nordion^® and Nelson Labs^®, is a leading global provider of mission-critical end-to-end sterilization solutions and lab testing and advisory services for the healthcare industry. With a combined tenure across our businesses of nearly 200 years and our industry-recognized scientific and technological expertise, we help to ensure the safety of over 190 million patients and healthcare practitioners around the world every year.

We are a trusted partner to more than 5,800 customers in over 50 countries, including 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 8 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

 

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