What are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)?
GMP are the manufacturing practices followed by pharmaceutical firms to ensure that the products produced meet specific requirements for:
- Safety
- Identity
- Strength
- Purity
- and Quality
They are designed to minimize the risks involved in any pharmaceutical production that cannot be eliminated through testing of the final product.
Some of the main risks could include:
- Unexpected product contamination, causing damage to health or even patient death
- Incorrect labels on product containers, resulting in patients receiving the wrong medicine
- And Inadequate or incorrect active ingredient, resulting in ineffective treatment or adverse effects
GMP covers all aspects of drug production, from the starting raw material, premises, and equipment to the training and personal hygiene of staff.
Detailed, standard operating procedures or SOPs are essential for each process that could affect the quality of the finished product.
There must be systems to provide documented proof that correct procedures are consistently followed at each step in the manufacturing process – every time a product is made.
