What is GMP?

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GMP refers to the Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations promulgated by the US Food and Drug Administration under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (See Chapter IV for food, and Chapter V, Subchapters  A, B, C, D, and E  for drugs and devices.) These regulations, which have the force of law, require that manufacturers, processors, and packagers of drugs, medical devices, some food, and blood take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure, and effective.

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GMP regulations require a quality approach to manufacturing, enabling companies to minimize or eliminate instances of contamination, mixups, and errors.  This protects the consumer from purchasing a product that is not effective or even dangerous. Failure of firms to comply with GMP regulations can result in severe consequences, including recall, seizure, fines, and jail time.

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GMP regulations address issues, including record keeping, personnel qualifications, sanitation, cleanliness, equipment verification, process validation, and complaint handling. Most GMP requirements are very general and open-ended, allowing each manufacturer to decide how to implement the necessary controls best. This provides much flexibility but also requires that the manufacturer interpret the requirements in a manner that makes sense for their business.

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GMP is also sometimes referred to as "cGMP." The "c" stands for "current," reminding manufacturers that they must employ technologies and systems which are up-to-date to comply with the regulation.