Validation team document control

Software and computer systems that are subject to validation must be designed using strict procedures with sufficient documentation. During the process of system design, strict controls must be in place to allow future validation success. The system designer must ensure that documentation of the system meets minimum requirements necessary to satisfy the needs of the validation team. 

Upon completion of the experimental phase of validation, the data are compiled and evaluated by qualified scientific personnel. The results may be summarized on a summary sheet, an example of which is shown in Table 2. Once a process has been validated, it must be controlled to assure that the process consistently produces a product within the specifications established by the validation studies. As shown in Table 2, documentation should present original validation records, a schedule of revalidation dates, and data from the revalidation studies. The interval between validation studies strictly depends on the judgment of the validation team based on the experience and history of the consistency of the process. 

On satisfactory completion of the computer system qualifications, with PQ conducted in conjunction with a successful process validation, a final report must be prepared by the pharmaceutical manufacturer s validation team. This is normally referred to as the validation report. The objective of the report is to give an overview of the results of the execution of the validation program for the computerized operation and to draw a conclusion as to the suitability of the computerized operation for pharmaceutical manufacturing. This may be unconditional use or there may be restrictions. In the latter case the proposed remedial ac-tion(s) must be approved and, as applicable, considered under change control. A schedule to complete any outstanding actions must be documented and progress formally reported. 

A fundamental objective of a computer system applied to automate a pharmaceutical GMP operation is to ensure the quality attributes of the drug product are upheld throughout the manufacturing process. It is therefore important that quality-critical parameters are determined and approved early in the validation life cycle. The exercise should be undertaken to a written procedure with base information from the master product/production record file examined and quality-critical parameter values and limits documented and approved for the process and its operation. In addition, the process and instrument diagrams (P IDs) should be reviewed to confirm the measurement and control components that have a direct impact on the quality-critical parameters and data. This exercise should be carried out by an assessment team made up of user representatives with detailed knowledge of both the computer system application and process, and with responsibility for product quality, system operational use, maintenance, and project implementation. This exercise may be conducted as part of an initial hazard and operability study (HAZOP) and needs to confirm the quality-related critical parameters for use in (or referenced by) the computer control system URS. 

Your instructor will select one experiment for teams to perform validation studies. An example is a gas chromatography experiment such as Experiment 32, but for one analyte. A flow injection analysis (FIA) experiment, such as Experiment 37, would be a good choice as well, since multiple measurements can be made rapidly. The team will determine linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, range, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and robustness (repeatability) of the method. In addition, a control chart will be prepared over at least one laboratory period. The instructor will have available a reference standard to use for accuracy studies. Plan for two laboratory periods for the completed study. A report of the method will be prepared and documented. Before beginning the experiment, you should review method validation in Chapter 4. 

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