SOP Writing, Training and Compliance in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the basis for a large part of the day-to-day training that most pharmaceutical employees are required to perform, and are a vital component of ensuring compliance with regulatory agency requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Pharmaceutical employees often do not realize that by putting their processes in writing, they are making commitments to regulatory agencies. To achieve the goal of an SOP that has adequate but not excessive detail, the course will define the parameters of an effective SOP and provide a solid foundation that will have a positive impact on training and job performance. Conversely, the negative impact of poorly written procedures on production and compliance will also be explored. To achieve these ends, the course will explain the use of process excellence tools, as well as interaction with the SOP process owner and/or author to create a robust process and procedure. In addition, the course will demonstrate how to avoid common pitfalls in revising existing procedures.