R.D. McDowall

R.D. McDowall

R.D. McDowall is principal of McDowall Consulting and director of R.D. McDowall Limited, and "Questions of Quality" column editor for LCGC Europe, Spectroscopy's sister magazine.

Articles by R.D. McDowall

Fuel processing control room with a comprehensive digital interface system. Generated with AI. | Image Credit: © Srinard - stock.adobe.com.

United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) general chapter <1058> on Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) now has a new title from a draft update for public comment: Analytical Instrument and System Qualification (AISQ). A new three-phase integrated lifecycle phase approach to qualification and validation is described. But will laboratories and suppliers implement it?

Wave 3d. Wave of particles. Abstract Blue Geometric Background. Big data visualization. Data technology abstract futuristic illustration. 3d rendering. | Image Credit: © Vadym - stock.adobe.com

Data process mapping is an effective way to identify data integrity vulnerabilities and remediate them. A modified example published by the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Committee (APIC) is reviewed critically. Can it be simplified?

Computerized system validation (CSV) has an uninspiring reputation for being a slow, no-value-added activity that only wastes time and delays the implementation of new software. Is that an accurate portrayal? And is it a necessary evil?

A current hot topic in regulated GXP laboratories is data integrity. Recently, the UK regulator issued an industry guidance on this subject that requires the establishment of a data governance system, part of which is data integrity training. Easy to say, but how do you do it?

A proposed update to USP on Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) has been issued for public comment. Here, we identify the changes that are proposed and their impact on the AIQ process of analytical instruments and laboratory computerized systems.

This month we discuss ISO Guide 80, "Guidance for the In-House Preparation of Quality Control Materials." This practical guide is worth reading, and its contents should be compared with your current working practices. In addition, we look at options for the preparation of working solutions from stock solutions to see the errors that could occur.

Paper is easy to archive, but what about archiving electronic records? What do you do with all the electronic records that are generated? In this month's installment, columnist Bob McDowall explores the issue of electronic records management and looks at the recent guidance issued by the OECD for GLP laboratories.

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