Standard operating procedures (SOPs) have become the documentation backbone of our industry and, yes, at times, a major pain in the neck. Those of us who were around during the 80s may be able to recall fuzzy memories of SOPs being a thing . Fast forward to 2019, past the birth of ICH, the evolution of outsourcing, the techno explosion and the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, the EU obsession with quality systems, and the more recent rise of the big vendor. Today, we’re buried in mountains of SOPs.

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The ultimate purpose of sponsor oversight is to act when required. Audits, meetings, and documentation are not always enough. Too many sponsors seem to be forgetting that they are the customer; one that’s paying a heavy price for services that can ultimately make or break them. Reset the industry balance with these 3 best practices.

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Unfortunately, whether you've chosen the right clinical research organization (CRO) isn't always obvious until contracts are signed and patients are enrolled. In 2022, basic industry standard steps are being skipped left and right. Here are 6 win-win suggestions to incorporate into your vendor selection strategy/

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Developing storyboards for regulatory inspection readiness and facilitation is a growing trend, yet the tool is shrouded in mystery for many pharma industry professionals. Storyboarding is a powerful approach for boiling down your company’s unique drug development journey into compartmentalized, positive short stories or messages that clarify pivotal points in time or scenarios. They provide a framework for creating clear messaging that can be consistently communicated by the inspection team. This is particularly needed for situations when opportunities for company growth, mitigation of existing gaps, and/or other unique compliance scenarios were self-identified and action was taken to ensure compliance and enable forward movement. They ultimately serve to remove confusion, contradiction, and on-the-spot decision-making when addressing inspection questions about the most difficult, convoluted aspects of your product’s drug development story. All companies have those; you are not alone.

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