Self Inspection and Its Implementation in Pharmaceuticals

Self inspection is basically a very useful and powerful mechanism for detecting any shortcomings or faults operating within any system. It means one needs to redeem on their own policies and check for its conformity and compliance with the appropriate corrective measures. It is a sure-shot way to evaluate the whole operating system from every aspect to ensure and maintain the quality of products. It is not limited to finding the faults and follies, and infiltrators within the system but also finding and planning ways to overcome the problems effectively.

A self inspection program comprehends all the current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). This is essential to ensure the conformity of a specific system/company with the rules and regulation (cGMP guidelines) as per WHO requirement. In case of nonconformity or noncompliance, it is reported to the concerned authorities and corrective measures are taken for continuous improvement in the quality of products. This not only checks the prevailing errors within the system but provides a remedy to it by suggesting and implementing the preventive measures, in a timely manner.

Selection of Self inspection Team

A self inspection team comprises self inspections and team members. Lead auditors are specifically based on their expertise in different areas as identified by QA Head (Quality Assurance Head). The Quality head selects a self inspection team, which is a cross-functional team from various departments such as Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Production Control, Engineering and Personnel & Administration Department before the start of every calendar year (last week of March). It is also ensured that lead auditors or team members in a specific self-inspection team are not from the same Auditee Department, where the self-inspection is planned.

Related: Self inspection and Quality Audits

Execution or Implementation of Self inspection

The self inspection team strictly follows the GMP guidelines and drive questionnaires according to the needs of the company. Here's the checklist as guidance for self inspection in manufacturing so as to ensure GMPs in the premises as per WHO recommendation:

• Personnel
• Premises and Equipment
• Maintenance
• Storage of starting and finished products
• Production and in-process controls
• Quality control
• Documentation
• Sanitation and hygiene
• Validation and revalidation program
• Distribution
• Product complaint and recall
• Calibration of instruments
• Label control
• The result of previous self-inspection and corrective measure was taken

Frequency of Self inspection
It is scheduled as twice a year but in case of any critical market compliant or product recall related to the quality issue or nonconformance with GMP guidelines, self inspection can be initiated in the respective areas/ systems before the schedule. Unscheduled inspections may be carried out at the direction of Head QA.

Related: Preparation for GMP Audit in Pharmaceuticals

Preparation of Self inspection Report

• Prepare a time schedule and area to be self inspected
• Determine the self-inspection team
• Prepare a self inspection checklist
• Record all the observations and prepare an observation report
• Distribute to the department head or Head QA (Head of quality assurance)
• Head QA prepares a conclusion report that includes a corrective or regulatory action plan

The final conclusion report as prepared by head QA is then distributed to following:

• Plant Director
• Production Manager
• Quality Control Manager
• Head of Engineering Department

The conclusion report includes not only the faults or shortcomings within the specific area/system but also the corrective measures that need to be taken within the provided time frame to improve and maintain the transparency and quality within the system.
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