ProPharma’s team of dedicated experts is at the forefront of both existing and emerging industry trends. ProPharma’s team inspires tomorrow by leveraging rich data insights across our service lines and functional areas to develop innovative solutions that answer the most complex needs of both existing and prospective clients.
When AI Meets CGMP: Lessons from FDA's First Warning Letter on Non-Compliant AI Use in Manufacturing
The FDA's April 2026 Warning Letter to Purolea Cosmetics Lab is a notable milestone for the pharmaceutical industry. While there have been prior Warning Letters involving products that incorporate AI, this case may represent one of the first enforcement actions specifically citing the use of AI...
FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Benefit-Risk Determinations for Devices
On Thursday, September 6th, the FDA released a new draft guidance regarding benefit-risk determinations in medical device premarket approval applications (PMAs), De Novo requests, and humanitarian...
Industry Poll: What are the Leading Challenges with GMP Auditing?
In a recent poll conducted by ProPharma Group, the question “What is your biggest GMP auditing challenge?” was posed to Quality professionals in the drug manufacturing industry. The following graph...
Generic Failure: Why so Few ANDAs Are Accepted by FDA on the First Pass
Generic drugs are immensely important to the U.S. healthcare system. These drugs account for 89% of the prescriptions dispensed in the United States. And, over the last decade, generic drugs have...
FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Rates: Fiscal Year 2019
On Wednesday, August 1st, FDA released a notice with updated prescription drug user fee rates for fiscal year 2019. Prescription Drug Application Fees According to the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic (FD&C)...
Implementing a Risk-Based Supplier Management Program
According to recent FDA updates on the implementation of the Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), nearly 40 percent of finished drugs are being imported, and nearly 80 percent of active ingredients,...
Data collection and analysis is expensive and has the potential to compromise a company’s hard-won compliance position. It is therefore critical that technical leaders follow a systematic and proven...
Understanding the New Combination Product PMSR Guidance Documents and Impact on Industry
On March 20, 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released two new guidance documents to help companies comply with the December 20, 2016 final rule establishing postmarketing safety...
MassBio is a non-profit organization that represents and provides support for the life sciences supercluster in Massachusetts. MassBio is committed to growing the industry, adding value to...
FDA Steps up its Game on Generic Drugs: The Story Behind the Recent Focus on Generic Products
Throughout 2017, the FDA focused its attention on the regulation of generic drug products. In 2015, the Agency issued only two generic-related guidance documents. In 2016, there were seven. In 2017,...
Finding a Roadmap to Approval - Hint: You Can't Pick One Up at the FDA
Earning FDA approval for your drug program is a journey. A misstep at any point of that journey could jeopardize your chance at getting your drug approved. That’s why it’s so important to have a...
FDA's Top 483 Observations for 2017: A Reflection of Industry's Compliance
At the beginning of each federal fiscal year, the US FDA posts the previous year’s Form 483 observation metrics issued by each product center. I find that reviewing these metrics provides a valuable...
Last week, I introduced a two-part series on transformation leadership. We defined transformational leadership, explored the concept, and discussed the benefits of adopting this approach. Well, now...
Selecting the right contract research organization (CRO) is one of the most important decisions you, as a sponsor, must make. That’s because CROs can improve efficiency and increase productivity,...
A couple of years ago, an organization asked me to present to their Leadership Team regarding transformational leadership. They wanted to have a better understanding of what makes an organization...
Summary Considerations: Use of Electronic Records and Electronic Signatures in Clinical Investigations Under 21 CFR Part 11 – Questions and Answers
Here I provide some key summaries and considerations relative to FDA’s draft guidance that was submitted for review and comment in June 2017. If you don’t want to review the entire guidance, here are...
Compiling and submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) submission is a complicated and intensive activity. Once you have submitted your application to FDA, you may be curious about what can you expect...
The End of the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program
What’s Next for Rare Disease Innovation? For children suffering from rare and often life-threatening diseases, access to new and effective treatments can mean the difference between life and death....
Safety Data Exchange Agreements (SDEAs) and Pharmacovigilance Agreements (PVAs) – An Overview
A Safety Data Exchange Agreement (SDEA) or Pharmacovigilance Agreement (PVA) is a legal written contract which ensures that all safety data, PV tasks and responsibilities are detailed between two or...
In order to incentivize the development of therapies (drugs biologics) to fill unmet medical needs for treatment of serious conditions, the FDA has developed various programs to expedite drug...
An Overview of the PSMF: Pharmacovigilance System Master File
What is a PSMF? The EU Pharmacovigilance System Master File (PSMF) is a legally required document created and maintained by a Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH). Essentially, the document is a...
Patient Support Programs (PSPs) in the pharmaceutical sector offer a range of services to help patients start and adhere to their therapies, including Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), patient...