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The FDA harmonization team has recently announced it is no longer going to be a member of the Global Harmonization Working Party (GHWP). This comes as an eye-opener for many life science industry employees since FDA harmonization has been a visible priority since the agency joined GHWP in 2021.

 

The FDA stated that it will continue to work with global regulatory experts on international harmonization, with the primary partner being the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF).

 

Food and Drug Administration

 

Some industry executives have asked the question why take this type of action now? One primary reason many life science industry experts believe the time is right is based on the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) strategic plan launched in late 2023. Inside the details of the document, the Food and Drug authority laid out a four-year example timeline for working towards greater international harmonization.

 

These are a few of the initiatives listed to be achieved by FY 2027:

 

FDA Timeline

 

Each fiscal year, CDRH will now evaluate different types of opportunities to increase engagement across international harmonization programs. Further, it is anticipated that CDRH will receive additional funding and resources to help accelerate this engagement. These additional resources will be designed to allow the FDA to expand international harmonization and convergence programs already in progress. 

 

Best Practices

 

The second phase of the strategic plan is designed to increase discussions about the implementation of harmonized policies. Further, this new mechanism may require FDA to develop additional confidentiality agreements to increase the efficiency of research analysis & discussion under confidentiality commitments. CDRH will review the current list of approved regulatory partners and confidentiality protocols in place to align regulatory strategies across international agencies. 

 

Medical Research

 

Per the strategic plan, FDA will identify and begin engaging with regulatory authorities by the end of 2023. The primary objective is to create a database of regulatory bodies with whom sharing medical research could be most helpful toward the global harmonization of standards. Finally, CDRH has committed to creating this information-sharing mechanism to communicate best practices in medical device evaluation by the end of 2024. 

 

Technical Documents

 

The strategic plan goes on to elaborate on how CDRH’s regulatory policy compares to widely accepted IMDRF policies. Furthermore, technical specifications of IMDRF documents that include policies and practices approved by all regulatory authorities in the IMDRF Management Committee will be assessed and evaluated by FDA.

 

One goal of this regulatory process is to increase the understanding of technical description and technical report writing of international regulatory agencies. This will directly help CDRH with their internal assessment of international harmonization efforts, and how FDA’s process may differ in comparison to regulators around the world.

 

FDA Analysis

 

Based on the technical specification data listed in the strategic plan, these are the proposed timelines for CDRH to make advances toward global harmonization:

 

  • CDRH will publish an assessment of at least nine IMDRF technical documents by the end of 2025.
  • CDRH will publish an assessment of at least 18 IMDRF technical documents by the end of FY 2026.
  • CDRH will publish an assessment of all remaining IMDRF technical documents by the end of FY 2027

 

Regulatory Authority

 

The strategic plan continues to elaborate on the life science community and the impact non-FDA employees can have on future regulatory approval. These specific stakeholders may have a unique perspective based on their current occupation or the types of therapy a patient receives. Finally, the following audiences are specifically mentioned for providing first-hand experiences that FDA can leverage based on another regulatory authority’s approach to medical therapy. 

 

  • Healthcare patients
  • Life science manufacturers
  • Conformity assessment bodies
  • Standards development organizations

 

Patient Engagement

 

Finally, an annual communication plan is proposed to begin in 2024 that includes developing a forum to assess and report on harmonization program efforts in progress. This forum will be designed to connect with each of the audiences mentioned above to help FDA identify opportunities for learning. Furthermore, this forum would be dependent on the level of interest and considerations of other stakeholders, including the life sciences industry specifically. 

 

About RCA’s Pharmaceutical Consulting 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates® offers leading pharmaceutical consultants. We’re one of the few pharma consulting companies that can help you navigate the challenges associated with industry regulations.

 

Our pharmaceutical consulting firm includes over 500 seasoned FDA, Health Canada & EU compliance consultants and regulatory affairs experts who understand industry complexities. It’s a pharma consultancy founded by regulatory compliance executives from the pharmaceutical industry. Every pharmaceutical industry consultant on the Regulatory Compliance Associates team knows 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates will guide you through every pharmaceutical consulting step of the regulatory process and create a customized approach depending on your product and your pharma company’s individual needs. Our regulatory compliance clients include:

 

  • Companies new to FDA, Health Canada or EU regulations and regulatory compliance
  • 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 pharmaceutical consulting firm expertise in the remediation of warning letters, consent decrees, 483’s or import bans

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates backbone. We exceed other pharma consulting companies with industry experts experienced in complexities of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our pharma consulting 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 regulatory compliance services with insight, hindsight, and the clear advantage of our breadth and depth of knowledge and regulatory compliance consulting. We offer the following pharma consulting regulatory affairs services for pharmaceutical companies.

 

  • New Product Support
  • Product Lifecycle
  • Other Regulatory Services
  • Combination Products

 

Compliance Assurance

 

The regulations process surrounding pharmaceutical companies can be tricky for even the most experienced industry veteran to understand. Just one misstep could mean significant and lasting consequences for your business. At Regulatory Compliance Associates, we offer the pharma consulting experience and pharma consultants necessary to guide you through the quality compliance process.

 

  • Assessments
  • Audits
  • Regulatory Agency Response
  • Preparation and Training
  • Inspection Readiness
  • Data Integrity

 

Quality Assurance

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates Quality consulting includes assessments, strategy, implementations, staff augmentations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement. Our pharma consultants understand the strategic thinking needed to align your business needs and goals. Regulatory Compliance Associates quality assurance services include quality experts with experience spanning major corporations and start-ups. Our pharmaceutical consulting firm knows firsthand how to achieve, maintain, and improve quality, and we excel in transferring pharma consulting knowledge to your organization.

 

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

 

Remediation 

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates has significant experience and a proven approach to managing FDA Warning Letters, Consent Decrees, Remediation and other serious regulatory situations. Our pharma consultants 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. Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma regulatory consultants will develop a comprehensive proof book of documented evidence demonstrating the corrective action taken to remediate non-compliant issues.

 

In addition, each Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma consulting Export understands compliance enforcement. We’ll prepare a comprehensive pharma consulting strategy to assist in your remediation efforts, drive continuous improvement, and maintain regulatory compliance with the regulations.

 

  • Regulatory Action
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Regulatory Enforcement
  • Warning Letter
  • 483 Observation
  • Oversight Services
  • Risk Management Plan

 

About Regulatory Compliance Associates

 

pharmaceutical consultantsRegulatory Compliance Associates® (RCA) provides pharmaceutical consulting to the following industries for resolution of life science challenges:

 

 

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 5,800+ customers in over 50 countries, including 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

 

Commitment to Quality

 

Our Certificate of Registration demonstrates that our Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard of quality.

 

 

To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage. 

 

 

The International Medical Device Regulation Forum (IMDRF) recently published updated cybersecurity guidance for the medical device industry. The medical device cybersecurity working groups at IMDRF have been busy lately, publishing multiple final documents about medical devices & software as medical device (SaMD). 

 

Regulatory Compliance

 

IMDRF’s medical device guidance provides steering assumptions for both regulatory compliance & medical device cybersecurity, which are appropriate for sponsors developing medical devices. Further, a primary objective of the guidance is simultaneously increasing patient safety & reducing external threats for providers and HCPs.

 

Global Harmonization

 

The guidance begins with harmonization concepts that could affect multiple departments inside a medical device manufacturer. Additionally, key areas for harmonization programs highlighted by the cybersecurity guidance include:

 

  • Product design
  • Risk management activities
  • Device labelling
  • Regulatory submission
  • Information sharing
  • Post-market activities

 

Product Life Cycle (PLC)

 

IMDRF’s cybersecurity guidance continues on with a deeper evaluation of risks associated across the product life cycle. It is recommended for potential vulnerabilities to be considered for any product life cycle stage, especially considering legacy devices that may be vulnerable to strategic risk. 

 

 

Product Design

 

Product design considerations include the initial phases of medical device development and continues until the end of support (EOS) once a product is discontinued. The four product design stages the cybersecurity guidance refers to when it comes to total product life cycle:

 

  • Development Stage
  • Support Stage
  • Limited Stage
  • End of Support

 

Development Stage (Stage 1)

 

The Development Stage occurs during the pre-commercialization phase before a medical device is approved by a regulatory body. This is when medical device manufacturers begin to incorporate security into the product concepts being designed. Design controls are critical in this stage for medical device manufacturers to leverage when considering how to mitigate risks.

 

Finally, an important deliverable of the Development Stage is product-related security documentation. The documentation is designed to help unfamiliar users to understand how to securely operate the medical device. 

 

Support Stage (Stage 2)

 

The Support stage is during the initial post-launch phase and may continue for many years. Medical devices in this stage are:

 

  • Currently used for providing patient care
  • Available for purchase on the open market
  • Contain major software, firmware, or programmable hardware components
  • Support for software, firmware or components is provided by the medical device manufacturer

 

Additionally, medical devices in the Support stage should receive full cybersecurity support. This support often includes software patches, software updates, hardware updates, and incremental support the manufacturer considers appropriate.

 

Limited Support Stage (Stage 3)

 

Medical device manufacturers continue to provide cybersecurity support during Stage 3. However, as product development transitions to a more current medical device design, different constraints are involved with the transition. Medical devices in Stage 3 often require additional network controls compared to medical devices in Stage 2:

 

  • Third-party components or software may be used more frequently than internally developed updates or patches
  • Cybersecurity best practices integration is often governed by the ease of following support practices outlined in the Stage 2
  • Medical device manufacturers must explain to users the existing limitations that are now recognized in the devices and services affected
  • Healthcare providers using the medical device should begin to take more of an active role in unmitigated features of security defense.

 

End of Support Stage (Stage 4)

 

Medical devices in Stage 4 are considered more vulnerable than any of the other stages. They may still be in use for providing patient care, but they have been publicly identified as no longer being supported by the medical device manufacturer. Each of these scenarios result in a medical device that cannot be consistently defended against modern cybersecurity dangers.

 

Critical facets healthcare information technology departments should look for include:

 

  • Medical devices that have been declared EOS by the medical device manufacturer
  • Medical devices that are not actively marketed or sold by the medical device manufacturer
  • Medical devices that contain software, firmware, or programmable hardware components no longer supported by software developers
  • Medical devices with known risks to device safety and effectiveness that are unmitigated

 

Risk Management

 

risk managementFurther, the guidance calls for a risk management approach to product lifecycle management featuring:

 

  • Security risk analysis
  • Security risk evaluation
  • Security risk control
  • Security risk acceptability

 

The cybersecurity guidance expands on product design and how security is incorporated and maintained through the product life cycle. This can be accomplished through using risk control and a secure development framework.

 

Risk mitigation recommendations for medical device manufacturers include:

 

  • Security design and controls based on intended use of the medical device
  • Security risk assessments across the risk management process
  • Threat modelling to help determine operational risk

 

Security testing and communication for medical device manufacturers include:

 

  • Customer facing product security documentation & communication
  • Post-market monitoring of cybersecurity vulnerabilities
  • Identification of vulnerabilities in third party risk management
  • Vulnerability risk identification based on the device security design, controls, and mitigations

 

Ensuring availability of security patches & mitigations based on device risk:

 

  • Coordinated and clear communication to all affected users
  • Description related to the vulnerability and its corresponding mitigations
  • Identification of other mitigation options when a security patch is unavailable

 

Data Integrity

 

One of the core principles the guidance stresses is cybersecurity information, data integrity and the importance of information sharing. IMDRF encourages medical device industry stakeholders to implement a proactive pre- and post-market approach to cybersecurity information sharing.

 

Moreover, timely information can help the industry recognize threats, evaluate associated risks, and react quickly as needed. An increase in industry transparency could directly benefit healthcare providers, medical device users and medical device companies.

 

Security Updates

 

An important section of the medical device cybersecurity guidance details stakeholder responsibilities related communications, risk management, and transfer of responsibility. Specifically, it is important that medical device manufacturer communications are comprehensive & identify types of documentation needed and when the medical device user may need it. 

 

Product Security Documentation

 

Medical device manufacturers should ideally provide PLC documentation about security or support changes early in the Support stage. This helps HCP risk management during both the procurement & deployment of medical devices. Types of life cycle support for product security documentation includes:

 

  • Manufacturer disclosure statement for medical device security
  • Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
  • Security test report summaries
  • Third-party security certifications
  • Customer security documentation

 

Product Life Cycle Documentation

 

Medical device companies should communicate the strategic life cycle milestones to their customers. Further, these interactions would include cybersecurity EOL and EOS dates if available. This helps to support HCPs during both the procurement & installation process.

 

Additionally, medical device manufacturers should provide this information as far in advance as possible. The goal is at least 2 years in advance to best support healthcare professionals with the following information:

 

  • Affected medical devices
  • Medical device operating system(s)
  • Version of medical device deployed
  • Medical device software components
  • Expected date of medical device service changes
  • Extent of medical device maintenance after a service change occurs
  • Additional design controls that help all involves parties

 

Vulnerability & Patching Information

 

If a vulnerability is uncovered, medical device companies should provide related vulnerability information. Further, the guidance specifically mentions the importance of both the appropriate mitigation or available software patch. Additionally, the guidance stresses an elevated priority be placed on high-risk vulnerabilities where timely communication is required. This communication is designed to help prevent both patient injury or device interruption.

 

Finally, the mitigation method and implementation instructions should be provided to the medical device operators. These security updates include both an over-air update or deployment of service personnel to help install the remedy.

 

Proactive Communications for Third-Party Components

 

Medical device software and other digital components within a medical device will reach EOL/EOS before the product itself does. In these cases, risk can increase based on the lack of support for these elements. To help compensate for these security risks, the cybersecurity guidance suggests medical device companies should:

 

  • Validate the list of third-party components used in medical devices
  • Track support status updates of third-party components used within their device
  • Assess the risks that exist when third-party components become unsupported
  • Communicate new risks and available risk mitigations to healthcare providers

 

About RCA’s Medical Device Consulting Services

 

The regulatory compliance process surrounding the medical device industry involves a strict adherence to pre/post market information throughout a device’s life-cycle. Even a single compliance issue you have can turn into a significant effect on your business. Regulatory Compliance Associates medical device consultants can help guide you through any stage of this strategic process, with capabilities during product development through the regulatory clearance/approval of your product.

 

Our team of over 500 medical device consulting Experts — including former FDA officials and regulatory compliance leaders in the field of medical device regulation — will work with your company to create a quality assurance and regulatory compliance approach tailored to your products and regulatory needs. Regulatory Compliance Associates works with international Fortune 100 companies, venture capital start ups, and companies of all sizes and shapes. our compliance enforcement solutions for law firms include remediation for warning letters, FDA 483’s, import bans or consent decrees. Very few regulatory compliance services have the same regulatory compliance expertise in a variety of medical fields.

 

Cybersecurity

 

For medical device manufacturers, technology can be a double-edged sword. The innovative technologies that elevate the quality of life for patients can also be used to potentially undermine the organization using the device. The consequences can affect the device itself if Regulatory Compliance Associates medtech consultants do not implement good IoT cybersecurity and FDA cybersecurity protocols.

 

At Regulatory Compliance Associates, we offer a wide variety of services for medical devices security to help ensure that your product is protected from cyber-attacks. With a well-planned design, along with full visibility of product development and the supply chain, Regulatory Compliance Associates medical device consultant Experts can help strengthen your device’s cybersecurity. We partner with medical device companies in each phase of the design cycle, including protecting inputs from threat exposure and hardening outputs for regulatory compliance & FDA submission approval of your medical technology.

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates® backbone, and we handle more submissions in a month than many manufacturers do in a lifetime. Our regulatory compliance consulting Experts have experience working with the FDA, global regulatory bodies and / or agencies, and notified bodies worldwide. Therefore, you can count on us for in-depth and up-to-date insights which increase speed-to-market.

 

As a trusted regulatory affairs consultant, our FDA veterans and industry experts represent Regulatory Compliance Associates® as one of the top medical device consulting firms. We’re here to help you navigate the difficulties associated with new product submissions. Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device consulting company has expertise in both the approval process and post-approval support. 

 

  • New Product Approval
  • Post-Approval Support
  • Outsourced Staffing
  • EU MDR
  • Combination Products

 

Compliance Assurance

 

Increasingly, life science companies are feeling the pressure of greater scrutiny by regulators, and responding by developing sustainable compliance strategies. Whether it’s preparing for an audit, developing a response to an FDA finding, or remediation to an adverse event, Regulatory Compliance Associates® can help.

 

Our network of over 500 medical device consultant & FDA, MHRA & EMA veterans are industry professionals offers a unique blend of expertise. This allows Regulatory Compliance Associates® to handle both simple and complex regulatory compliance challenges within medical device consulting companies.

 

  • Gap Assessments
  • Internal Audits
  • Employee Training
  • Notified Body Response
  • Data Integrity

 

Quality Assurance

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates® Quality Assurance consulting includes quality system assessments, strategy, implementations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement, aligning with your business needs and goals. Each Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device consultant is a quality expert 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.

 

In the medical devices field, quality assurance (QA) is more than merely ensuring the quality of a finished product. You need the tools to monitor and regulate every process from the design of a new product to continued quality compliance as the device is sent to market. At Regulatory Compliance Associates®, we offer you the quality assurance services you need to monitor these processes and ensure quality compliance every step of the way.

 

With more than 20 years experience working with medical device consulting companies, Regulatory Compliance Associates® trusted medical device quality assurance consultant team is fully equipped to handle your unique QA needs.

 

  • ISO13485 
  • 21 CFR 210
  • 21 CFR 211
  • Outsourced Staffing
  • MDSAP
  • Facility Validation
  • Equipment Validation
  • Quality Metrics

 

Remediation Support

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates® is widely recognized within medical device consulting companies & the life science industry for remediation support. Regulatory Compliance Associates® ability to help companies successfully resolve complex regulatory challenges have a proven track record of success. Our medical device consulting services include significant experience with the development of responses to 483 Observations, Warning Letters, Untitled Letters and Consent Decrees.

 

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

 

Our value goes beyond the initial response by helping companies successfully execute their action plans, develop an improved compliance culture tailored to the needs of their business, and ultimately move beyond the regulatory action to emerge as a stronger business. We negotiate difficult demands of remediation with insight and the clear advantage of our medical device consultant expertise and experience that makes partnering with Regulatory Compliance Associates®  a competitive differentiator in the remediation space.

 

  • Quality System
  • Technical File
  • Design History File
  • Data Integrity
  • cGMP

 

Strategic Consulting

 

Whether it’s a strategy, a technical plan, or project, Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device consultancy can help ensure a successful project. Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device strategy consulting can deliver your project on time, on budget, and you’re never embroiled in a costly mistake.

 

Our medical device consultant Experts are industry Experts are here to provide the unique insight you need before an M&A deal, through a staffing crisis and in every area of your product’s development and life cycle. As the trusted medical device manufacturing consultants of thousands of companies around the world, we have the knowledge and expertise needed to deliver exceptional results to your business — no matter your size or unique needs.

 

  • Manufacturing Optimization
  • Product Lifecycle Management
  • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
  • Due Diligence
  • Device Vigilance
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Product Complaints
  • Medical Information

 

About Regulatory Compliance Associates

 

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

 

 

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.

 

Commitment to Quality

 

Our Certificate of Registration demonstrates that our Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard of quality.

 

To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates® scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage. 

 

 

Click now to learn from Sue Schniepp, Distinguished Fellow at Regulatory Compliance Associates, as she describes microbial process design and how your team can improve contamination control. 

 

 

Human microbes live in every part of a human being, including the skin, gut, and nose. Trillions of microorganisms live inside the human body — often outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1. However, microorganisms only make up roughly 1 to 3 percent of the body’s mass because of their tiny size. Sometimes microbes in food can lead to illness, but it is more common for microbes in human body functions to safely live in their host. Additionally, many types of microbes provide unique qualities that help increase life expectancy and human survival in general.

 

Annex 1

 

microbial process designWhen it comes to microbial control and process design, there are unique drivers listed in the EU’s Annex 1 regulatory guidance that can help your organization. This regulatory compliance guidance contains different types of contamination control requirements.

 

Further, these drivers come in many different shapes and sizes, but all can impact manufacturing production if not carefully considered.

 

Sterile Preparations

 

Manufacturing sterile products covers a wide spectrum of decisions to be considered by the Quality team and manufacturing operations, including:

 

Sterile product types

  • Active substance
  • Sterile excipient
  • Packaging material
  • Finished dosage form

Packaging sizes

  • Single unit
  • Multiple units

Sterile processes

  • Automated systems
  • Manual processes

Technologies

  • Biotechnology
  • Small molecule manufacturing
  • Closed systems

 

Additionally, one of the quality assurance goals of sterile product manufacturing is to minimize risk associated with microbial, particulate, and pyrogen contamination.

 

Process Design

 

Contamination sources are the focus of process design and are commonly due to microbial and cellular debris, as well as particulate matter. Understanding how your facility, equipment and employees contribute to uncleanness (whether intentional or not) is essential to contamination control. Lastly, process design should consider each contamination source individually and as a whole to achieve regulatory compliance.

 

Manufacturing Plant

 

The facility your product is manufactured in is the first gap analysis that should be conducted. For example, a food manufacturing plant will have a different set of needs to be considered than a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. Each will have unique requirements based on equipment, environment and process. Further, pharmaceutical production follows unique FDA guidance recommendations that are unlike many commercialized products on the market.  

 

Cleanroom

 

One of the first priorities your team should understand is clean room classifications and differences in a regulated clean room environment. There are many types of cleanroom services that can help with clean room design and preparing for regulatory compliance (e.g. ISO 7 or ISO 8).

 

For example, cleanliness standards and cleanroom supplies should be maintained and monitored for environmental conditions. Finally, airlocks for both personnel and equipment should include HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air filtration to increase air cleanliness and controls that reduce contaminants.

 

RABS

 

Restricted Area Barrier Systems (RABS) and isolators can help assure environmental conditions help minimize microbial contamination. Further, a reliable containment strategy should consider the types of human intervention that can impact the critical zone. This often goes hand-in-hand with the type of grade the zone is.

 

There are four primary types of critical zones:

 

  • Grade A: this area includes high risk operations that must consider air filtration, the aseptic processing line, and filling zone. Additionally, the stopper bowl, open ampoules and vials also must be studied based on contaminates & unidirectional air flow. Finally, process design & SOPs should minimize the number of operators who don’t use barrier protection or glove port
  • Grade B: this area is commonly a background cleanroom for Grade A aseptic preparation and filling zone. Most importantly, airflow visualization studies should show that air does not enter from any lower grade cleanrooms to Grade B. Air pressure differentials should be monitored to ensure clean airflow.
  • Grade C and D: These types of cleanroom spaces are used for lower risk manufacturing stages in the manufacturing process. The most often use class for Grade C and D are the preparation and filling of terminally sterilized

 

Finally, it is critically important when analyzing the grade of a zone when it comes to modular clean room or portable clean room designs. Make sure your cleanroom construction team understands the types of certified cleanroom principles that follow regulatory compliance.

 

Water Systems

 

A water treatment plant is one of the most critical elements of microbial process design. The water filter system should minimize both particulates and pyrogens to help reduce the potential for contamination. Further, special attention should be given to the different types of water filter products used & how they are monitored and maintained over time. Nevertheless, water flow should remain forceful & consistent through water filtration pipes to minimize microbial adhesion & the risks associated with biofilm formation.

 

Sterilizing Agent

 

When using a pure steam generator as a sterilizing agent, the design should be correctly purified. Additionally, these agents of sterilization should be designed & validated to confirm steam quality meets both chemical levels and endotoxin levels. For the same reason, measure your steam quality for any additional additives that can cause either contamination of your product or manufacturing equipment.

 

Central Vacuum System

 

Understanding when gases come into contact with the product or container surfaces is critical during process design. For example, here are process design concepts to validate proper chemical, particulate, and microbial quality:

 

  • Relevant parameters (e.g. oil and water content) should be specified in the documentation
  • Consider the use cases inside the facility & type of gas being used during the process
  • Respect the gas generation system & if the design complies with the Pharmacopoeia monograph

 

Gases used in aseptic processes should always be filtered through a sterilizing filter. If your sterilizing filter is used on a batch basis, consider integrity testing the results during batch certification. Finally, any backflow from vacuum systems or pressure systems can produce hazards to the product. Have your quality team consistently review the mechanisms that prevent backflow when the systems are shut down.

 

Hydraulic Systems

 

Manufacturing equipment connected by hydraulics or heating & cooling systems, when possible, should be preferably outside the filling room. Equally important, pump hydraulics or fluid hydraulics located in the filling room should include design controls to contain any spillage. Leaks from these types of systems could pose a contamination risk to the product that should be detectable.

 

Finally, incorporating an indication system can help monitor leakage scenarios where contamination can become an urgent problem. This can include manufacturing technology such as tank gauges, a tank level sensor, and advanced water level monitor functionality. 

 

About RCA’s Pharmaceutical Consulting 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates® offers leading pharmaceutical consultants. We’re one of the few pharma consulting companies that can help you navigate the challenges associated with industry regulations.

 

Our pharmaceutical consulting firm includes over 500 seasoned FDA, Health Canada & EU compliance consultants and regulatory affairs experts who understand industry complexities. It’s a pharma consultancy founded by regulatory compliance executives from the pharmaceutical industry. Every pharmaceutical industry consultant on the Regulatory Compliance Associates team knows 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates will guide you through every pharmaceutical consulting step of the regulatory process and create a customized approach depending on your product and your pharma company’s individual needs. Our regulatory compliance clients include:

 

  • Companies new to FDA, Health Canada or EU regulations and regulatory compliance
  • 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 pharmaceutical consulting firm expertise in the remediation of warning letters, consent decrees, 483’s or import bans

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates backbone. We exceed other pharma consulting companies with industry experts experienced in complexities of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our pharma consulting 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 regulatory compliance services with insight, hindsight, and the clear advantage of our breadth and depth of knowledge and regulatory compliance consulting. We offer the following pharma consulting regulatory affairs services for pharmaceutical companies.

 

  • New Product Support
  • Product Lifecycle
  • Other Regulatory Services
  • Combination Products

 

Compliance Assurance

 

The regulations process surrounding pharmaceutical companies can be tricky for even the most experienced industry veteran to understand. Just one misstep could mean significant and lasting consequences for your business. At Regulatory Compliance Associates, we offer the pharma consulting experience and pharma consultants necessary to guide you through the quality compliance process.

 

  • Assessments
  • Audits
  • Regulatory Agency Response
  • Preparation and Training
  • Inspection Readiness
  • Data Integrity

 

Quality Assurance

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates Quality consulting includes assessments, strategy, implementations, staff augmentations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement. Our pharma consultants understand the strategic thinking needed to align your business needs and goals. Regulatory Compliance Associates quality assurance services include quality experts with experience spanning major corporations and start-ups. Our pharmaceutical consulting firm knows firsthand how to achieve, maintain, and improve quality, and we excel in transferring pharma consulting knowledge to your organization.

 

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

 

Remediation 

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates has significant experience and a proven approach to managing FDA Warning Letters, Consent Decrees, Remediation and other serious regulatory situations. Our pharma consultants 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. Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma regulatory consultants will develop a comprehensive proof book of documented evidence demonstrating the corrective action taken to remediate non-compliant issues.

 

In addition, each Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma consulting Export understands compliance enforcement. We’ll prepare a comprehensive pharma consulting strategy to assist in your remediation efforts, drive continuous improvement, and maintain regulatory compliance with the regulations.

 

  • Regulatory Action
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Regulatory Enforcement
  • Warning Letter
  • 483 Observation
  • Oversight Services
  • Risk Management Plan

 

About Regulatory Compliance Associates

 

pharmaceutical consultantsRegulatory Compliance Associates® (RCA) provides pharmaceutical consulting to the following industries for resolution of life science challenges:

 

 

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 5,800+ customers in over 50 countries, including 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

 

Commitment to Quality

 

Our Certificate of Registration demonstrates that our Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard of quality.

 

To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage.

 

 

Click to watch Regulatory Compliance Associates medical device consultant, Dr. Stephen Coulter, discuss the common tools & processes used during product development. Early stages of new product development include analyzing user needs & translating design benefits into long-term patient efficacy.

 

 

Developing an original product idea is difficult but many common tools & processes are consistently used. The early stages of product development include analyzing user needs and how those translate into design inputs.

 

Product Development Strategy

 

Ideation and product development life cycle research can help you identify user needs. Additionally, increasing the quality of an existing product is often a successful new product development strategy. Your solution doesn’t have to be a radically new idea.

 

Does it have a substitute product that can take market share? Or, can you combine the features of multiple products during the product design process to make a combination product that patients prefer more? Could a product design consultant help answer these questions & provide knowledge transfer?

 

Product Development Cycle

 

Start by asking your cross-functional team an initial question: “What do we need to change to achieve success during the product development cycle?”. Product development strategy includes modifying existing systems & processes to accelerate efficiency. Refine your model or process based on the unique types of product solutions in your pipeline.

 

Product Research

 

Being able to understand & explain why your solution addresses a user needs statement is inherent to launch sales success.  Interactive activities can be useful for improving creative conversation during market development strategy sessions. Further, voice of the customer (VOC) research consistently helps target the patient population in mind. 

 

Finally, using VOC to identify early adopter audiences & the audience’s most important needs can increase early interest in your solution. Begin the sales process by determining core messaging ahead of the launch ramp-up based on device claims & if the regulatory submission is approved.

 

Market Development Strategy

 

User needs are the foundation of any successful market development strategy. Yet, being able to commercialize a new solution based on user needs using a team experiencing process problems is never an easy task. It requires the Engineering Team & Operations Team at the listening table earlier in the process than later. 

 

Product Design and Development

 

A critical to quality objective early in the new product development process is removing everything but the essentials. Research your users needs to create design inputs for a product that patients both need & generates revenue.

 

Product Planning Process

 

After a business case is determined in the waterfall method, the product planning process begins cross functionally to validate product ideas via new product development research. What user needs will accelerate a successful product launch the fastest?

 

Innovative product design means addressing honest opinions from your target audience to validate your medical device solves a problem. The product development management team must be convinced the product can win in the commercial marketplace sooner rather than later.

 

Software Product Design

 

Success during the launch of a software as a medical device is often found at the heart of the product development plan. Any new product design must incorporate value added for the audience in one way, shape or form. This can include lean product design as some of the most effective software in the industry is not complicated.

 

Software as a Medical Device

 

Consider the regulatory differences between a tangible product and a technology product very carefully. For example, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) has changed the marketplace by increasing both clinical research success & primary care delivery. Include process improvement sessions during internal meetings where a collective group deciphers what the user need statements mean to their team. 

 

Agile Product Development

 

The vision for development begins with a minimum viable product, or MVP, during early software conceptualization & development; what is the business case of commercialization? How do we learn faster while making real time efficiency changes?  

 

Digital Product Development

 

Product development teams must answer several questions before undertaking product design. Further, one focal ask is are successful processes already in place for medical product development.

 

Do you have a RACI chart to show who is responsible, accountable, considered, and informed? Finally, a clear cross-functional understanding of timelines & milestones can help guide expectations during MVP product development, which can be stressful based on the speed of common work.

 

MVP Agile

 

MVP (Minimum Viable Product) a widely accepted concept in software development in digital product development. However, our medical product design discussion will take a different direction – what is the regulatory affairs process?

 

A project management software development team should deliver a safe, efficacious solution with the objective of delivering patient value. Define your value through a regulatory strategy based on device claims, clinical evidence, and how both help the patient population.

 

Regulatory Compliance

 

Software as a medical device involves regulatory compliance based on multiple, widely accepted global standards.

 

  • This includes:
    • ISO 13485
    • IEC 62304
    • IEC 62366
    • ISO 14791

 

The product development engineering team is responsible for the software process. Any prototype development assistance should begin with a regulatory compliance perspective of claims and predicate devices.

 

Prototype predicate concepts begin with identifying the current risk class & why use cases help validate your proposed risk class during regulatory submission. Finally, consider younger product developers who may have never been through regulatory approval in their career. FDA readiness training can be a powerful tool that increases marketing approval & how to carefully identify and isolate risk hazards.

 

Regulatory Pathway 

 

Planning the build for a product requires a regulatory pathway that includes risk management considerations based on the risk class. Create as much detail as possible during this prototyping and design inputs phase of NPD.

 

Product development companies, like Regulatory Compliance Associates, can help identify the correct predicate device based on a risk gap analysis.  Diagrams should include material ingredients that need to be sourced to create the product. This can help you determine the risk category of the product (e.g. patient daily use, HCP specialty use, etc.) and corresponding patient hazards.

 

About RCA’s Medical Device Consulting Services

 

The regulatory compliance process surrounding the medical device industry involves a strict adherence to pre/post market information throughout a device’s life-cycle. Even a single compliance issue you have can turn into a significant effect on your business. Regulatory Compliance Associates medical device consultants can help guide you through any stage of this strategic process, with capabilities during product development through the regulatory clearance/approval of your product.

 

Our team of over 500 medical device consulting Experts — including former FDA officials and regulatory compliance leaders in the field of medical device regulation — will work with your company to create a quality assurance and regulatory compliance approach tailored to your products and regulatory needs. Regulatory Compliance Associates works with international Fortune 100 companies, venture capital start ups, and companies of all sizes and shapes. our compliance enforcement solutions for law firms include remediation for warning letters, FDA 483’s, import bans or consent decrees. Very few regulatory compliance services have the same regulatory compliance expertise in a variety of medical fields.

 

Cybersecurity

 

For medical device manufacturers, technology can be a double-edged sword. The innovative technologies that elevate the quality of life for patients can also be used to potentially undermine the organization using the device. The consequences can affect the device itself if Regulatory Compliance Associates medtech consultants do not implement good IoT cybersecurity and FDA cybersecurity protocols.

 

At Regulatory Compliance Associates, we offer a wide variety of services for medical devices security to help ensure that your product is protected from cyber-attacks. With a well-planned design, along with full visibility of product development and the supply chain, Regulatory Compliance Associates medical device consultant Experts can help strengthen your device’s cybersecurity. We partner with medical device companies in each phase of the design cycle, including protecting inputs from threat exposure and hardening outputs for regulatory compliance & FDA submission approval of your medical technology.

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates® backbone, and we handle more submissions in a month than many manufacturers do in a lifetime. Our regulatory compliance consulting Experts have experience working with the FDA, global regulatory bodies and / or agencies, and notified bodies worldwide. Therefore, you can count on us for in-depth and up-to-date insights which increase speed-to-market.

 

As a trusted regulatory affairs consultant, our FDA veterans and industry experts represent Regulatory Compliance Associates® as one of the top medical device consulting firms. We’re here to help you navigate the difficulties associated with new product submissions. Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device consulting company has expertise in both the approval process and post-approval support. 

 

  • New Product Approval
  • Post-Approval Support
  • Outsourced Staffing
  • EU MDR
  • Combination Products

 

Compliance Assurance

 

Increasingly, life science companies are feeling the pressure of greater scrutiny by regulators, and responding by developing sustainable compliance strategies. Whether it’s preparing for an audit, developing a response to an FDA finding, or remediation to an adverse event, Regulatory Compliance Associates® can help.

 

Our network of over 500 medical device consultant & FDA, MHRA & EMA veterans are industry professionals offers a unique blend of expertise. This allows Regulatory Compliance Associates® to handle both simple and complex regulatory compliance challenges within medical device consulting companies.

 

  • Gap Assessments
  • Internal Audits
  • Employee Training
  • Notified Body Response
  • Data Integrity

 

Quality Assurance

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates® Quality Assurance consulting includes quality system assessments, strategy, implementations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement, aligning with your business needs and goals. Each Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device consultant is a quality expert 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.

 

In the medical devices field, quality assurance (QA) is more than merely ensuring the quality of a finished product. You need the tools to monitor and regulate every process from the design of a new product to continued quality compliance as the device is sent to market. At Regulatory Compliance Associates®, we offer you the quality assurance services you need to monitor these processes and ensure quality compliance every step of the way.

 

With more than 20 years experience working with medical device consulting companies, Regulatory Compliance Associates® trusted medical device quality assurance consultant team is fully equipped to handle your unique QA needs.

 

  • ISO13485 
  • 21 CFR 210
  • 21 CFR 211
  • Outsourced Staffing
  • MDSAP
  • Facility Validation
  • Equipment Validation
  • Quality Metrics

 

Remediation Support

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates® is widely recognized within medical device consulting companies & the life science industry for remediation support. Regulatory Compliance Associates® ability to help companies successfully resolve complex regulatory challenges have a proven track record of success. Our medical device consulting services include significant experience with the development of responses to 483 Observations, Warning Letters, Untitled Letters and Consent Decrees.

 

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

 

Our value goes beyond the initial response by helping companies successfully execute their action plans, develop an improved compliance culture tailored to the needs of their business, and ultimately move beyond the regulatory action to emerge as a stronger business. We negotiate difficult demands of remediation with insight and the clear advantage of our medical device consultant expertise and experience that makes partnering with Regulatory Compliance Associates®  a competitive differentiator in the remediation space.

 

  • Quality System
  • Technical File
  • Design History File
  • Data Integrity
  • cGMP

 

Strategic Consulting

 

Whether it’s a strategy, a technical plan, or project, Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device consultancy can help ensure a successful project. Regulatory Compliance Associates® medical device strategy consulting can deliver your project on time, on budget, and you’re never embroiled in a costly mistake.

 

Our medical device consultant Experts are industry Experts are here to provide the unique insight you need before an M&A deal, through a staffing crisis and in every area of your product’s development and life cycle. As the trusted medical device manufacturing consultants of thousands of companies around the world, we have the knowledge and expertise needed to deliver exceptional results to your business — no matter your size or unique needs.

 

  • Manufacturing Optimization
  • Product Lifecycle Management
  • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
  • Due Diligence
  • Device Vigilance
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Product Complaints
  • Medical Information

 

About Regulatory Compliance Associates

 

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

 

 

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.

 

Commitment to Quality

 

Our Certificate of Registration demonstrates that our Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard of quality.

 

To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates® scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage. 

 

 

quality cultureIn the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, quality culture plays an essential role in profit generation, product safety and approval from regulatory bodies. As a result, organizations must prioritize maintaining product and process quality. One significant aspect of quality control is data integrity — a company’s data should be complete, consistent and accurate in both paper and electronic forms.

 

The adoption of electronic record keeping systems has led to a resurgence in data integrity citations. In response, many regulatory agencies — including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Consortium (PICS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) — have released guidance on data integrity. Many of these reports discuss quality culture as a key part of maintaining data integrity in life sciences.

 

What Is a Quality Culture?

 

Within an organization, quality culture is a working environment in which the risk of noncompliant and erroneous data and records is minimized. Creating a quality culture requires that all members of an organization encourage the open reporting of errors, omissions and other threats to data integrity and product quality.

 

As the WHO and other regulatory agencies have noted, management must be involved with the creation of a quality culture. Quality control should not be limited to the quality management team, but rather flow across all levels of leadership. Managers and other business leaders must be just as accountable for data integrity as everyone else.

 

How Can Management Contribute?

 

As awareness about the importance of quality increases, pharmaceutical companies are likely to see more requests for documentation demonstrating a commitment to quality and data integrity. Quality is also likely to impact a company’s finances — organizations with highly developed quality cultures may spend around $350 million less fixing mistakes every year.

 

To remain competitive, every business must consider the role of management in quality culture. Here are four ways leaders can contribute to quality in pharmaceutical, medical device, biologics and other organizations:

 

  • Lead by example: Quality culture must be encouraged from the top down. If managers and leaders demonstrate a commitment to quality, people throughout the company will follow.
  • Update reporting procedures: Managers should review and update their companies’ reporting procedures to elevate and address issues with data systems when they arise.
  • Review your audit schedule: While regulators don’t require internal audits, they are an important part of upholding data integrity. Review your audit schedule and ensure you are also auditing contract manufacturers and other outside parties.
  • Act on audit results: When an audit reveals gaps in data integrity, act immediately to address the problem. This shows you take quality seriously. You can address issues independently or seek help from experts like those at Regulatory Compliance Associates.

 

Learn More About Data Integrity and Quality Culture

 

The management role in quality culture is a hot topic in the life sciences industry. To learn more about data integrity and quality, contact Regulatory Compliance Associates or listen to the RCA Radio podcast. In the latest episode, host and RCA’s own, Erika Porcelli and Susan Schniepp discuss the history of data integrity and how management can integrate quality into the product lifecycle.

 

About RCA’s Pharmaceutical Consulting 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates® offers leading pharmaceutical consultants. We’re one of the few pharma consulting companies that can help you navigate the challenges associated with industry regulations.

 

Our pharmaceutical consulting firm includes over 500 seasoned FDA, Health Canada & EU compliance consultants and regulatory affairs experts who understand industry complexities. It’s a pharma consultancy founded by regulatory compliance executives from the pharmaceutical industry. Every pharmaceutical industry consultant on the Regulatory Compliance Associates team knows 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates will guide you through every pharmaceutical consulting step of the regulatory process and create a customized approach depending on your product and your pharma company’s individual needs. Our regulatory compliance clients include:

 

  • Companies new to FDA, Health Canada or EU regulations and regulatory compliance
  • 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 pharmaceutical consulting firm expertise in the remediation of warning letters, consent decrees, 483’s or import bans

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates backbone. We exceed other pharma consulting companies with industry experts experienced in complexities of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our pharma consulting 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 regulatory compliance services with insight, hindsight, and the clear advantage of our breadth and depth of knowledge and regulatory compliance consulting. We offer the following pharma consulting regulatory affairs services for pharmaceutical companies.

 

  • New Product Support
  • Product Lifecycle
  • Other Regulatory Services
  • Combination Products

 

Compliance Assurance

 

The regulations process surrounding pharmaceutical companies can be tricky for even the most experienced industry veteran to understand. Just one misstep could mean significant and lasting consequences for your business. At Regulatory Compliance Associates, we offer the pharma consulting experience and pharma consultants necessary to guide you through the quality compliance process.

 

  • Assessments
  • Audits
  • Regulatory Agency Response
  • Preparation and Training
  • Inspection Readiness
  • Data Integrity

 

Quality Assurance

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates Quality consulting includes assessments, strategy, implementations, staff augmentations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement. Our pharma consultants understand the strategic thinking needed to align your business needs and goals. Regulatory Compliance Associates quality assurance services include quality experts with experience spanning major corporations and start-ups. Our pharmaceutical consulting firm knows firsthand how to achieve, maintain, and improve quality, and we excel in transferring pharma consulting knowledge to your organization.

 

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

 

Remediation 

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates has significant experience and a proven approach to managing FDA Warning Letters, Consent Decrees, Remediation and other serious regulatory situations. Our pharma consultants 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. Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma regulatory consultants will develop a comprehensive proof book of documented evidence demonstrating the corrective action taken to remediate non-compliant issues.

 

In addition, each Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma consulting Export understands compliance enforcement. We’ll prepare a comprehensive pharma consulting strategy to assist in your remediation efforts, drive continuous improvement, and maintain regulatory compliance with the regulations.

 

  • Regulatory Action
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Regulatory Enforcement
  • Warning Letter
  • 483 Observation
  • Oversight Services
  • Risk Management Plan

 

About Regulatory Compliance Associates

 

pharmaceutical consultantsRegulatory Compliance Associates® (RCA) provides pharmaceutical consulting to the following industries for resolution of life science challenges:

 

 

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 5,800+ customers in over 50 countries, including 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

 

Commitment to Quality

 

Our Certificate of Registration demonstrates that our Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard of quality.

 

To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage. 

 

 

The world has changed in many ways since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Regulators are taking advantage of technology to institute greater social distancing, limiting contact between people to curb the spread of the coronavirus. For you, this could mean a transition to virtual audits.

 

The auditing process, which helps you identify and fix compliance deficiencies, must continue to maintain the vital supply chain of needed drugs and other items. 

 

Approach a Virtual Audit as the New Normal

 

virtual audits

 

For some clients and suppliers, virtual audits may be a long-term solution. It may not be clear for some time how long COVID-19 precautions will need to stay in place. For parties that have well-established relationships and supply chains, virtual audits may make more sense over the long term.

 

The opportunity to reduce one-on-one interactions lessens the risk of spreading the coronavirus. If the two sides already have a level of comfort together, their ability to work through challenging times will be better than if you are embarking on a new relationship, where things might not go as smoothly.

 


Need help preparing for a virtual audit?  Talk to our Experts →


 

Some In-Person Visits Will Still Be Required

 

Not everything can be accomplished virtually. You’ll still face some instances where an in-person visit is necessary, such as for pre-approvals and new products. Plan accordingly. Taking every possible precaution, such as requiring masks and gloves and keeping the auditor 6 feet away from employees, can protect both parties during such mandatory in-person interactions.

 

If you do not think an in-person visit is necessary or you’re dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as an outbreak of the virus, communicate your concerns. The well-being of your employees and the auditor should be the focus of any post-pandemic auditing strategy, and you can protect your employees by voicing any concerns you have.

 

Make Adjustments for the Long Term

 

Treatments are still being developed for the coronavirus, and it will take some time before the spread of the virus is under control. Until then, virtual audits will become a long-term solution to protect everyone involved and reduce the spread of infection.

 

You can learn from your initial experiences and make changes to help during the next virtual audit. Try these strategies for assistance with long-term planning:

 

  • Take notes during the virtual audit, observing anything that surprises you.
  • Keep track of any personal protective equipment needed if a brief in-person audit is used.
  • Speak with employees after the virtual audit to get their input on what went well and what could be improved.

 

Looking over your notes and results from past audits can also help you anticipate any potential issues or concerns before your first virtual audit. Remember that this is new territory for everyone and that you’ll likely encounter some bumps in the road as the processes get smoothed out. If you have any questions about virtual audits and how to prepare for them, get in touch with Regulatory Compliance Associates® today.

 

About RCA’s Pharmaceutical Consulting 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates® offers leading pharmaceutical consultants. We’re one of the few pharma consulting companies that can help you navigate the challenges associated with industry regulations.

 

Our pharmaceutical consulting firm includes over 500 seasoned FDA, Health Canada & EU compliance consultants and regulatory affairs experts who understand industry complexities. It’s a pharma consultancy founded by regulatory compliance executives from the pharmaceutical industry. Every pharmaceutical industry consultant on the Regulatory Compliance Associates team knows 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, Regulatory Compliance Associates will guide you through every pharma consulting step of the regulatory process and create a customized approach depending on your product and your pharma company’s individual needs. Our regulatory compliance 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 pharmaceutical consulting firm expertise in the remediation of warning letters, consent decrees, 483’s or import bans

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Regulatory affairs is Regulatory Compliance Associates backbone. We exceed other pharma consulting companies with industry experts experienced in complexities of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our pharma consulting 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 regulatory compliance experience. We offer the following pharma consulting regulatory affairs services for pharmaceutical companies.

 

  • New Product Support
  • Product Lifecycle
  • Other Regulatory Services
  • Combination Products

 

Compliance Assurance

 

The regulations process surrounding pharmaceutical companies can be tricky for even the most experienced industry veteran to understand. Just one misstep could mean significant and lasting consequences for your business. At Regulatory Compliance Associates, we offer the pharma consulting experience and pharma consultants necessary to guide you through the quality compliance process.

 

  • Assessments
  • Audits
  • Regulatory Agency Response
  • Preparation and Training
  • Inspection Readiness
  • Data Integrity

 

Quality Assurance

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates Quality consulting includes assessments, strategy, implementations, staff augmentations, and identification of quality metrics to ensure continuous improvement. Our pharma consultants understand the strategic thinking needed to align your business needs and goals. Regulatory Compliance Associates pharmaceutical industry consultant are quality experts with experience spanning major corporations and start-ups. Our pharmaceutical consulting firm knows firsthand how to achieve, maintain, and improve quality, and we excel in transferring pharma consulting knowledge to your organization.

 

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

 

Remediation 

 

Regulatory Compliance Associates has significant experience and a proven approach to managing FDA Warning Letters, Consent Decrees, Remediation and other serious regulatory situations. Our pharma consultants 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. Regulatory Compliance Associates pharma regulatory consultants will develop a comprehensive proof book of documented evidence demonstrating the corrective action taken to remediate non-compliant issues.

 

In addition, each Regulatory Compliance Associates pharmaceutical industry consultant understands compliance enforcement. We’ll prepare a comprehensive pharma consulting strategy to assist in your remediation efforts, drive continuous improvement, and maintain regulatory compliance with the regulations.

 

  • Regulatory Action
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Regulatory Enforcement
  • Warning Letter
  • 483 Observation
  • Oversight Services
  • Risk Management Plan

 

About Regulatory Compliance Associates

pharmaceutical consultants

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

 

 

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 5,800+ customers in over 50 countries, including 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

 

Commitment to Quality

 

Our Certificate of Registration demonstrates that our Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard of quality.

 

 

To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage. 

 

 

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