Responding to a GLP and GCP laboratory inspection report
Guidance for industry on preparing responses to good laboratory practice (GLP) and good clinical practice (GCP) laboratory inspection reports.
This format is not mandatory but is the MHRA inspectorate’s preferred method for providing responses. Using this format should help to reduce the time taken to reach a compliance decision after the inspection.
The guidance is presented in the same format as the deficiency annex to a GLP and GCP laboratory inspection report.
1.0 Critical deficiencies
Critical deficiencies may be more complex in nature and responses may take different formats depending on the issues cited. Specific guidance is therefore not provided, but the general principles below apply.
Note that responses to critical deficiencies will be reviewed at Inspection Action Group 2 (GCP) or by the head of the Good Laboratory Practice Monitoring Authority (GLPMA) and compliance management team (GLP).
2.0 Major deficiencies
2.1 This is a major deficiency.
2.1.1 There may be a number of examples provided on a deficiency.
You should:
- choose a new colour for your first set of responses
- answer the deficiencies raised directly underneath, preferably using the Word version of the inspection report provided
- make sure your responses are clear and concise (we may return responses with information not directly relevant to the remediation actions without review,with a request to rewrite and simplify - these types of responses are not an efficient use of the inspectors’ or the company’s time)
- if you do not believe a deficiency should be raised, state this clearly in your written response and contact the lead inspector
- state clearly what you are going to do and when you are going to do it (DDMMYYYY) - if your response is a commitment to ‘review a system’, then state when the review will be complete and what will happen with the output of the review, the inspector may ask you to provide the output
- determine the root cause as part of the response, and the wider (systemic) impact considered (this is likely to include other sites in the organisation and studies conducted) - you should not just respond with a correction to the single identified point
- if you have reviewed all similar areas to find other examples of the deficiency, but no others were found, clearly state this and include a description of how you performed the system review
- choose appropriate timelines that are realistic (do not give extended times for simple actions)
- where timelines are long due to the complexity of the solution, but operations are continued,
- provide the supporting rationale, for example, facility planned to undergo major refurbishment and provision of new equipment in Q3, standard operating procedure (SOP) to be updated as part of facility recommissioning
- consider interim actions designed to control the deficiency taking into account the potential impact to public safety and the environment until the longer-term action is complete (if you take this option, briefly describe the interim actions to be taken and how they will be managed and the supporting rationale, for example, facility planned to undergo major refurbishment and provision of new equipment in Q3, SOP to be updated as part of facility recommissioning)
- not provide evidence of what you have done, unless specifically asked to
- provide your response in an editable Word document to allow the inspector to respond (if required)
- not send hard copies, they will not be reviewed
MHRA requests for further information
If the inspector requires further information, they will be in red font and the request will be directly below the point that they require information for.
Each request for further information will be dated to clearly identify which points require further response.
Site second response
The site should:
- choose a new colour for all sets of responses and reply underneath the further request
- date each new response
- ensure the whole record of all responses is in a single document
- not change previous response text when you are providing additional information or further responses
3.0 Other deficiencies
3.1 This is a deficiency that is classed as an ‘Other’.
Initial site response
Follow the same format for responses as outlined above.
4.0 Completion of CAPA (corrective and preventive actions)
You must communicate with the inspector(s) if you are unable to meet a timeline commitment. This communication should take place before you go beyond the due date. The post-inspection compliance decisions are based on the acceptance of the remediation actions and their associated timescales for completion.
Delays in completing remedial actions have historically resulted in significant compliance issues for facilities and studies. Therefore senior management should commit adequate resources to ensure the timely completion of the CAPA.
5.0 Next inspection
The implementation of CAPA will be reviewed at the next inspection to determine if the organisation has done what they said they would. If CAPA were not adequately addressed or failed to meet the agreed timelines, the findings may be upgraded, for example, if previous major findings have not been addressed, then a critical finding may be given.
6.0 Change notification
Email gxplabs@mhra.gov.uk to inform the MHRA of any significant changes at your test facility. For GLP facilities please complete notification of change form to inform the Good Laboratory Practice Monitoring Authority of the details of the change.
7.0 Download guidance
The PDF version of the guidance reflects the colours used to manage site and agency responses.