Published 31 Aug 2023

Top 8 GMP Software of 2023

GMP meaning Good Manufacturing Practice is a method utilized by the manufacturing industry to ensure that regulations are consistently followed. These regulations help achieve quality control of products. There is a wide range of products covered in this system, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

GMP software in pharmaceuticals

What is GMP?

Because processes constantly evolve, it’s important to ensure that manufacturing risks are minimized and corrected by following industry requirements. These risks can be in the form of cross-contamination, mislabeling, and other hazards. GMP tackles similar concepts and works alongside Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) of food safety. Implementing Good Manufacturing Practices will promote safety for the company and its stakeholders and can help lessen production waste, save time, and reduce consumption of other resources that could be allotted to other products. Current GMP standards and other related resources are easily accessible online so it’s easy for professionals in the manufacturing industry to keep their knowledge up to date.

It’s important to determine the appropriate standards and GMP regulations since they, and and the type of products manufactured in a facility, vary per location. The core concept of GMP consists of quality management, sanitation and hygiene, building and facilities, equipment, raw materials, personnel, validation and qualification, complaints, documentation and record-keeping, and lastly, inspections and audits. Achieving and maintaining GMP compliance entails conducting GMP audits and inspections routinely. Having a well established system for your company that can streamline processes without affecting product quality will help reinforce GMP.

Why is a GMP System Important?

It’s important to implement a system that can help fulfill GMP compliance because this organizes the facility’s operations and enables the proper execution of a GMP program. It also strengthens the company’s employee awareness since the GMP system is based on current standards and local regulations. Supervisors and facility managers have the option to choose from a manual system or an automated GMP software solution. Both of these options expedite the processes for ensuring product safety, quality assurance, quality control, and risk management. Manual systems tend to be slower due to factors such as paper trails, miscommunication, outdated data, and human error. It is recommended to adapt to digital trends and select tools such as GMP software. One of the key advantages of incorporating digital tools is its ease of use. Software solutions often come with additional employee training for easier system transition and integration. Having a GMP system in place doesn’t guarantee GMP compliance if the employees working in the facility are not familiar with it and not properly trained for it. Facility managers should also remember to monitor the engagement level of the workers and their compliance with the GMP system. If you’re hesitant to integrate an all-in-one GMP system or simply overwhelmed with the GMP requirements, you can pick parts of the system that you can start with, such as an inspection tool to conduct GMP audits with. 

GMP Software

GMP software solutions offer features made for achieving and managing good manufacturing practices. Efficiency and security are top advantages, but another benefit of a digital GMP system is the flexibility and wide variety of GMP software and tools available. Facility managers have the liberty to choose based on what the company needs. Most GMP software require a purchase or plan fee, but there are those that offer free accounts or free trials for premium accounts. The GMP software can range from a complete GMP system such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool for manufacturing to applications that only focus on certain processes such as apps specializing in inspection and risk assessments. 

Handpicked GMP Software Features

Here are some of the GMP software features to take into consideration when choosing a system or tool for your business. 

  • Web platform – this is convenient for all users in the company because it allows them to view their data system anywhere. Most web platforms also come with mobile apps. 
  • Document management – GMP involves the handling  of important documents. Having a feature that helps organize and store documents securely is recommended. Most applications offer cloud storage options so be sure to check if this is an option and what security measures they have in place to keep your files safe.
  • Manuals and tutorials – Software usually comes with employee onboarding assistance to help with transitioning to the system. Tutorials and other resources should also be available anytime so new employees can also be trained to adhere to the GMP program.
  • User-friendly – The software should be designed in a way that makes it easier for employees to understand and adhere to the GMP program. It should also encourage regular inspections to ensure that every aspect of the business remains compliant to GMP and other regulations.
  • Available support – if anything goes wrong, having a dedicated team to help solve the problem will ease the burden and speed up the process of fixing the system. An on-call support team also shows how a company values its customers and provides an assurance of quality for their products or services.

Managing GMP Audits in 2023

GMP audits ensure that products are safe and not tampered with or contaminated. Quality management is one of the core concepts of GMP, and this tackles a wide range of practices that can be broken down into sections for easier implementation. Start off with knowing the scope based on your facility requirements to prevent taking unnecessary steps. Facility managers can consult with their peers and quality and safety officers to collaborate on proposals and check if something should be added or removed from the GMP audit form. Corroborate and finalize the GMP audit form for inspection before disseminating to the company. The implementation stage is crucial, and employees should be consistent with conducting the GMP audit. Certain steps will depend on the GMP system in place, but ultimately, you should choose the solution that’s right for your business. A GMP software is usually quicker and can be used on a mobile device, making it easy to save, share, and compile inspection reports. Sticking to a paper-based workflow might work for you, but will present problems in the long run. Manual forms can get lost or damaged, in which case, workers will have to redo the inspection. Paper inspection reports are also static, so there’s the possibility of changes not being reflected on a copy of the report. Ultimately, using GMP software is the more prudent choice because it helps future-proof the company and sets the stage for a long-term GMP solution.

SafetyCulture

SafetyCulture Staff Writer

SafetyCulture Content Team

The SafetyCulture content team is dedicated to providing high-quality, easy-to-understand information to help readers understand complex topics and improve workplace safety and quality. Our team of writers have extensive experience at producing articles for different fields such as safety, quality, health, and compliance.

The SafetyCulture content team is dedicated to providing high-quality, easy-to-understand information to help readers understand complex topics and improve workplace safety and quality. Our team of writers have extensive experience at producing articles for different fields such as safety, quality, health, and compliance.