Pharmaceutical Laboratory Analytical Chemist: QA/QC, Validation and FDA Compliance
Technical Consultant #1166
Expertise
- Extensive experience in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and chemical industry analytical laboratories.
- Laboratory management and analytical laboratory improvement, cGMP and GLP compliance and problem resolution.
- Pharmaceutical process, cleaning and analytical methods validation.
- Solid dosage for OTC drug products.
- Responsibility for QA/QC functions for testing, complaint handling, customer audits and data analysis for over 300 different drug products.
- Training on cGMP and GLP compliance and problem resolution.
- Document writing.
- FDA problem resolution; consent decrees.
Experience
Independent Consultant, 2003 - Present
- Consulting on cleaning validation design and execution, including method development and validation that resulted in client going from Warning Letter to a no 483 follow-up inspection by FDA.
- Complete overhaul of laboratory systems for a prescription drug manufacturer-regulatory and analytical.
Undisclosed Analytical Laboratories, President, 1996 - 2003
- Managed all technical activities including analytical design, technical review, supervision of staff, document preparation and review, regulatory compliance, security and customer interaction.
- Grew company from startup in January 1997 to a business level of about $1 million per year before sale of company to Chemir Pharma Services in July, 2003.
Independent Consultant, 1992 - 1996
- Provided technical and laboratory management consulting services to pharmaceutical and chemical clients in the area of analytical laboratory improvement, cGMP and GLP compliance and problem resolution.
- Conducted training activities and assisted in planning laboratory technology upgrades.
- As a managing consultant, brought a chemistry/lab into substantial compliance for firm under FDA consent decree. Subsequent inspection by FDA yielded no 483 observations under chemistry.
- Brought bulk pharmaceutical firm into compliance by design and implementation of a total laboratory plan that included process, cleaning and analytical methods validation. Firm went from warning list to a 483 having only three (3) minor observations. Represented firm during FDA inspection.
- Through audit, training and use of statistical Q.C. techniques, designed and implemented a Q.C. efficiency program that resulted in a substantial yearly testing cost reduction.
- Developed a successful lab management plan for a major pharmaceutical contract lab that resulted in improved morale, elimination of end-of-month backlogs and greater productivity.
Barr Laboratories, Pomona, New York, Director of Analytical Laboratories, 1990 - 1992
- Responsibility for direction and maintenance of team effort in support of new product development and regulatory compliance.
- Designed improved testing modalities for key drug products resulting in a $300,000 per year cost reduction.
- Managed the firm out of FDA comment letter backlog, permitting faster approval for new drug products.
- Eliminated departmental turnover through rearrangement of job assignments and realignment of responsibilities.
- Implemented structured management of department, resulting in 100% on-time completion of both short and long-term projects.
- Developed plan for improved operation of Q.C. department that would eliminate end of month backlogs and manage day to day priorities more efficiently.
- Increased departmental office efficiency through the use of advanced computer technology for the management of scientific information.
Independent Consultant, 1988 - 1990
- Management of QA/QC functions of a pharmaceutical plant handling complaints, conducted, product testing, customer audits, and data analysis for over 300 different products.
- Designed reduced sampling-testing protocol that resulted in 1500 man-hour overtime reduction.
- Implemented technology upgrade in Q.C. lab with 800 man-hours per year impact in labor savings.
- Designed, wrote and implemented Q.C. management software package that standardized data analysis and reporting.
- Package adapted at other plant sites.
- Designed, implemented and installed telecommunications software and hardware for automatic computer-generated certificates of analysis which saved on man-day per week in clerical labor and enhanced Company's quality image.
- Conducted a variety of technical seminars for groups ranging from senior managers to first line supervisors.
- Strengthened market position with key accounts through direct presentation to customers.
Private Formulations, Inc. Edison, New Jersey, Director of Quality, 1986 - 1988
- Responsible for direction of all quality control, quality assurance, analytical methods development and regulatory affairs for solid dosage, OTC drug products.
- Launched a 10 month lab improvement program that resulted in FDA inspections going from unsatisfactory to satisfactory.
- Introduced modern Q.A. inspection techniques that eliminated 100% product testing.
- Computerized lab operations, installed LAN and provided training and modified MRP system software, eliminating 2-day delay moving products from Manufacturing to Shipping after lab approval.
Dynamite-Nobel, Stony Point, New York, Quality Assurance Manager, 1974 - 1986
- Corporate Position, responsible for analytical and environmental chemistry, serving four business groups and three manufacturing sites.
- Reorganized and upgraded Stony Point, Q.C. lab, resulting in a doubling of lab efficiency.
- Designed Q.C. department for Mobile, Alabama plant.
- Implemented all phases of project up to and including actual plant startup.
Honors & Publications
- Wrote textbooks on The pharmaceutical analytical laboratory.
- Columnist for Pharmaceutical Quality & Formulation Magazine and Food Quality Magazine.
Speaking Engagements
- American Chemical Society National Tour Speaker
- Faculty Member, The Parental Drug Association (PDA)
- American Laboratory Management Association
Education
B.S. in Chemistry, Wagner College