A profession in the pharmaceutical sector means complying with responsibilities and guidelines that ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices. Since these guidelines aim at reducing and preventing errors, it is a process that demands diligence and integrity since professionals must consistently adhere to high standards.
There are a number of guidelines and procedures that must be followed and monitored in order to strengthen both the manufacturing process and end-user delivery. Quality assurance professionals work at the heart of this, helping to ensure that standards are adhered to throughout facilities. They may even help train staff on important procedures, ensuring that companies are fully able to maintain high quality standards.
Here is an overview of what students should expect in the pharmaceutical industry once they have completed their training in quality assurance.
What Is Quality Assurance and How Is it Achieved?
Within the pharmaceutical industry, quality is of the utmost importance. People taking medications need to be able to count on each product offering the dose listed on the label. They also need to know that products are free of any harmful impurities, and that storage and other instructions are accurate. To help ensure that these goals are met and that companies comply with government regulations, professionals with quality assurance training monitor and implement procedures at facilities.
Quality assurance helps ensure that procedures in place maintain a high standard of quality
It’s important for students to be aware of how quality assurance differs from quality control. Quality control is tasked with conducting tests to evaluate quality, while quality assurance is focused on the systems and procedures that help guarantee that quality is maintained. This can include many different aspects of drug manufacturing. Quality assurance touches on the inspection of raw materials, the implementation of good manufacturing practices, and so much more.
Duties of Professionals with Quality Assurance Training
When entering the field, quality assurance professionals are tasked with monitoring and implementing processes. This can include conducting internal audits, reviewing documentation, looking for ways to improve current procedures, and more.
This role consists of breaking down information and rules to personnel in different production departments that pertain to the correct supply of materials and machinery. It also consists of taking proper precautions when faced with risks or other hazards. Professionals must be easily accessible as contact persons in order to constantly oversee overall quality operations and provide decision making authority.
Reviewing and fact-checking documents allows pros to verify if regulations are being followed
Moreover, those who have completed GMP training are also responsible for overseeing whether testing documents are properly developed and maintained, that employees have the necessary qualifications, are appropriately trained, and all proceeding activities are conducted according to corporate and government standards. It’s a role that necessitates careful attention to detail, as well as a high standard of ethics. Those who want to have a positive impact on the lives of others can find this career path to be truly rewarding.
Are you interested in pursuing training to work in quality assurance in pharmaceutical industries?
Contact AAPS for more information about our programs.