GMP training is an important part of manufacturing and testing pharmaceutical products. It is the means of ensuring employees can properly perform their job to specified standards. Those standards ensure products are manufactured consistently, in a controlled manner, and to defined quality specifications. Training employees on a regular schedule, with job specific instruction, and thorough documentation help companies meet their standards of manufacturing and testing of their pharmaceutical products.

The first component to a quality training program is that training occurs on a recurring basis. When a new employee joins a company, it is necessary for them to learn, understand, and be tested on their job specific duties. After initial training they are qualified to do their job. They will then be required to perform refresher training that makes sure they are still up to date with any changes to the processes used for their job. For example, if a process is changed, the employee needs to have documented training on the change, proving they understand the change and can employ the process properly.

The second component to a quality training program is that the training covers the scope of an employee’s job. Each employee has their own specialized tasks in a manufacturing or testing facility, and they are responsible for knowing their job as it’s defined by the company. For example, a quality control chemist does not need to know the intricacies of a process chemist’s job, and vice versa. Each respective chemist needs to fully understand their own job so they can perform it up to the standards set in training.

Recurring training is a standard element of any quality process in the pharmaceutical industry. The proof of that training is in documentation. Documentation consumes a large amount of time in a quality manufacturing and testing environment. It is not fun and few people like it. It can take more time than the work itself. Still, without documentation, there is no proof of what has been done. It is important that companies have a documented training program that outlines each job in the company. Each job will have specific duties associated with it, and each duty requires training.

This article isn’t meant to touch on the qualifications of individuals bring to a job, but it grazes an interesting point. People who may not be qualified to start in a job can become qualified. An employee may not know how to operate a Gas Chromatography (GC) instrument when they start the job, but if they know how to operate an HPLC, there’s little reason why they can’t be trained to run a GC. On the job training (OJT) is a viable way to build up your employees’ capabilities and careers. When OJT is well documented, it’s the proof of a person’s education. It’s not only important to prove that your process is being executed by properly trained employees, but it’s also important to your employees’ careers.

If you have more questions, check out www.oriongmp.com and get a free consultation on putting together your Cannabis related Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Manufacturing Systems.