Pharmaceutical GMP Professional Certification - Body of Knowledge

Body of Knowledge

Pharmaceutical GMP Professional Body of Knowledge (PDF, 78 KB)

This body of knowledge (BOK) covers compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs), as regulated and guided by national and international agencies for the pharmaceutical industry. It covers finished human and veterinary drugs and biologics, ectoparasitacides, and dietary supplements (alternatively called nutraceuticals) where regulated as drug products, as well as their component raw materials (including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients), and packaging and labeling operations. 

This BOK includes subtext explanations and corresponding cognitive levels for each topic or subtopic. These details will be used by the Examination Development Committee as guidelines for writing test questions and are designed to help candidates prepare for the exam by identifying specific content that can be tested. The subtext is not intended to limit the subject matter or be all-inclusive of what might be covered in an exam but is intended to clarify how topics relate to the role of the Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional (CPGP). The descriptor in parentheses at the end of each subtext entry refers to the highest cognitive level at which the topic will be tested. A more complete description of cognitive levels is provided at the end of this document.

1. REGULATORY AGENCY GOVERNANCE (15 QUESTIONS)
   1. Global regulatory framework
      Identify the acts, statutes, directives, etc., that apply to pharmaceuticals. (Understand)
   2. Regulations and guidances
      Interpret frequently used regulations and guidelines/guidances, including those published or administered by the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S), Health Canada, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), USDA 9CFR, USDA Veterinary Service Memoranda and the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council (IPEC). (Understand)
   3. Mutual recognition agreements
      Interpret requirements that govern product registration, import or export of raw material or finished product, the sharing of inspection findings, etc. (Understand)
   4. Regulatory inspections
      Define and describe various types of inspections (pre-approval (PAI), system-based, for-cause, license renewal, etc.), including what triggers them, their frequency, and the inspection process used. (Understand)
   5. Enforcement actions
      Define and describe various enforcement actions and consequences (e.g., FDA 483s, warning letters, license withdrawals, product seizure). (Understand)
   6. Regulatory agency reporting 
      1. Post-marketing changes
         Describe how post-marketing changes to specifications, processes, methods, etc. are assessed for impact to determine the appropriate reporting method. (Understand)
      2. Regulatory reporting requirements
         Describe reporting requirements, including supplements, NDA Field Alerts, Biological Product Deviation Reports, annual reports, variations to dossiers and applications, etc. (Understand)
   7. Site master file (SMF) and drug master file (DMF)
      Describe the purpose and content of these files. (Understand)
      
      
2. QUALITY SYSTEMS (30 QUESTIONS)
   1. Quality management system (QMS)
      1. QMS elements
         Describe key elements of the structure of a QMS, identify their interrelationships, and develop and describe their hierarchical positions. (Create)
      2. QMS requirements
         Apply requirements related to QMS development and operations, as defined in ICH Q10, EU GMP, and other guidances. (Apply)
   2. Quality unit (site) management
      Describe quality management elements for individual sites or units, including responsibilities for company management, qualified persons, batch release requirements, the need for quality units to be independent from operations, etc. (Understand)
   3. Risk management
      Use various methods to apply risk management principles, as described in ICH Q9 and other guidance or regulatory documents. (Apply)
   4. Training and personnel qualification
      1. Needs analysis
         Identify the requirements for determining the type of training needed by quality staff members, operations personnel and related functions. (Understand)
      2. Staff development requirements
         Determine proof of proficiency based on regulations, guidances, and directives and including documented evidence (job titles, job descriptions, etc.). (Apply)
   5. Change control and management
      
      1. Pre-change analysis
         Assess the impact that proposed changes will have on products, processes, facilities, utilities, etc., to ensure risk minimization and ongoing regulatory compliance. (Analyze)
      2. Post-change analysis
         Analyze data and other inputs to determine the results of a change, and evaluate any new risk factors created by the change. (Analyze)
   6. Investigations and corrective and preventive action (CAPA)
      1. Trigger events
         Identify trigger events that necessitate investigation and the implications of the event elsewhere, and determine the underlying cause for the event. (Evaluate)
      2. Response actions
         Define immediate action, corrective action, and preventive action, and explain their importance in terms of management responsibility, methods of implementing them, etc. (Evaluate)
      3. CAPA feedback and trending
         Describe how trending is used in relation to CAPA data. Use investigation feedback and CAPA results to modify appropriate quality system elements. (Create)
   7. Audits and self-inspections
      1. Audits processes and results
         Differentiate between various audit types (systems, product, process) and analyze audit results to assess conformance to requirements. (Analyze)
      2. Audit follow-up
         Use various methods to evaluate and verify the adequacy of corrective actions taken. (Evaluate)
      3. Ineffective corrective actions
         Determine appropriate strategies to use when corrective actions are not implemented or are not effective. (Evaluate)
   8. Documents and records management
      1. GMP document system
         Examine the GMP document system, including corporate standards, master plans, procedures, manufacturing and test instructions, etc., to determine compliance to regulatory requirements. (Analyze)
      2. GMP compliance records
         Review various records (log books, tags, training evidence, etc.) to confirm compliance to requirements. (Analyze)
      3. Record retention
         Identify regulatory requirements for GMP compliance in record retention. (Understand)
   9. Product quality complaints vs. adverse event reports
      1. Quality complaints
         Describe and distinguish between product complaints and adverse events, and evaluate complaint-handling processes. (Evaluate)
      2. Adverse events and pharmacovigilance
         Describe adverse events and identify the regulatory reports for these events and pharmacovigilance. (Understand)
      3. Problem response
         Evaluate the level of action that needs to be taken in response to these types of events, including corrections, product removal, etc. (Evaluate)
   10. Product trend requirements
       Describe and distinguish between components of the US annual product review (APR) and the European product quality review (PQR) with regard to data trends and other required review methods. (Understand)
   11. Supplier and contractor quality management
       1. Supplier quality systems
          Identify and interpret standards and regulations (e.g., ISO 17025) related to monitoring supplier and contractor quality management systems. (Analyze)
       2. Supplier controls
          Assess the adequacy of controls over procurement and receipt of raw materials, components, and contract services. Determine the need for formal contracts. (Evaluate)
       3. Supplier evaluation
          Assess the quality systems of suppliers and contractors using various methodologies, including supplier qualification, certification, evaluation, audit, as well as supplied product or service performance trending. (Evaluate)
          
          
3. LABORATORY SYSTEMS (20 QUESTIONS)
   1. Compendia (US, Europe, and Japan)
      1. Required vs. informational compendia
         Describe and distinguish between required and informational ("general") compendial chapters. (Apply)
      2. Marketing requirements vs. compendia
         Distinguish among the US Pharmacopoeia (USP), European Pharmacopoeia (PhEur or EP) and Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) in terms of requirements for marketing authorization. (Understand)
      3. Compendial methods review
         Review compendial methods to ensure that they are verified as suitable for use in the testing lab. (Evaluate)
      4. Compendial requirements review
         Review test methods, qualifications, and validations against required compendial general chapters as well as against informational general compendial chapters whenever more specific tests are not prescribed in the product compendial monograph. (Analyze)
      5. Biological, microbiological, chemical, and physical test methods
         Identify and interpret results from compendia identification tests, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and other tests or studies for biological, microbiological, and chemical, and physical tests. (Apply)
   2. Laboratory investigations of aberrant results
      1. Test data
         Describe and distinguish among biological, microbiological, and chemical test data, and develop procedures for investigating each type. (Analyze)
      2. Aberrant results
         Identify, analyze, and interpret data on processes or products that are out-of-specification (“no test” in USDA) or out-of-trend, and determine the outcome of the laboratory portion of the investigation and the criteria for further investigation. (Evaluate)
   3. Instrument control and record-keeping
      1. Instrument control
         Examine operating procedures for instrument identification, classification (e.g., GMP, for-information-only), and calibration, to meet requirements. (Apply)
      2. Instrument calibration
         Determine whether instruments are calibrated within the specified range of operation, and whether they are accurate and precise. (Apply)
         [Note: Calibration of facilities equipment is covered in IV.E.]
   4. Specifications
      1. Types of specifications
         Determine whether approved specifications exist for raw materials, intermediates, packaging components, finished products, etc. (Analyze)
      2. Test data and specifications
         Compare test data with specifications to determine whether raw materials, intermediates, packaging, or products meet requirements. (Analyze)
      3. Specifications revision
         Review and update specifications when methods are revised or compendia are changed. (Evaluate)
   5. Laboratory record-keeping and data requirements
      1. Record review
         Review laboratory records to detect errors or falsification and to prevent loss of data. (Apply)
      2. Record-keeping requirements
         Identify and review record-keeping requirements for data acquisition systems. (Apply)
      3. Certificates of analysis (COAs)
         Review COAs to ensure they are complete, internally reviewed, and appropriately retained. (Apply)
   6. Laboratory handling controls
      1. Sample identification
         Determine whether samples are identified and handled in accordance with requirements, including name, sample identification, chains of custody, etc. (Apply)
      2. Reagents, solutions, and standards identification
         Determine whether reagents, solutions, and standards are identified and labeled in accordance with requirements, including opened-on, expiry, (validated) use-by, or recertify-by dates. (Apply)
      3. Storage requirements
         Describe and use procedures to store samples, reagents, solutions, and standards in appropriate environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, light exposure, absence of oxygen, etc.) to maintain the material’s characteristics for testing. (Apply)
   7. Stability programs
      1. Release tests vs. stability-indicating tests
         Define and distinguish between these two types of tests. (Apply)
      2. Stability test data
         Review stability data and identify trends that can support or challenge an expiry date. (Evaluate)
      3. Stability-point failure
         Identify the stability-point failure of a product or material, and evaluate the implications for regulatory compliance. (Evaluate)
   8. Reserve samples and retains
      Describe the various regulatory requirements for retains and reserve samples. (Apply)
      
      
4. INFRASTRUCTURE: FACILITIES, UTILITIES, EQUIPMENT (18 QUESTIONS)
   1. Facilities
      1. Buildings
         Determine requirements for appropriate size and construction of buildings and areas as well as location of control systems.  Ensure that construction and location facilitate proper operation and minimize the risk of error and cross contamination. (Apply)
      2. Manufacture and storage environment
         Identify requirements for appropriate lighting, ventilation, and drainage to avoid adversely affecting product (either directly or indirectly) during manufacture and storage. (Apply)
      3. Facilities change control
         Use various methods to verify that change control practices are in use to maintain the qualified state of the facilities. (Apply)
   2. Utilities
      1. Water supply systems
         Identify and interpret regulatory requirements for design of water supply systems, including various unit operations (e.g., dechlorination, reverse osmosis, deionization, distillation, etc.), delivery lines, back-flow or back-siphonage prevention, and drainage systems, as appropriate for the type of water (potable, purified, water for injection, etc.) needed in various processing steps. (Apply)
      2. Compressed air and gas systems
         Identify and apply regulatory requirements related to compressed air and gas systems, including storage, flow regulation, filtration, venting and purging, etc. (Apply)
      3. Utility design for production
         Identify and select utility designs related to production steps (e.g., washing, sterilizing, depyrogenation, etc.) for use with specific materials and processes. (Apply)
      4. Utilities design specifications
         Review operations of utilities to ensure that they meet design specifications. (Apply)
      5. Utilities change control
         Use various methods to verify that change control practices are in use to maintain the qualified state of affected utilities. (Apply)
   3. Equipment
      1. Equipment planning
         Review equipment location, design, construction, installation, and maintenance based on the operations to be conducted. (Apply)
      2. Equipment layout
         Determine the layout of equipment to minimize the risk of errors, to facilitate effective cleaning and maintenance, and to avoid contamination or any other undesired effect on product quality. (Apply)
      3. Equipment cleaning and maintenance
         Review procedures and schedules for equipment cleaning, maintenance, and, where necessary, sanitization to ensure that they meet requirements. (Apply)
      4. Equipment cleaning validation or verification
         Evaluate the need and methodology for product-contact cleaning validation, verification, or both. (Evaluate)
      5. Equipment change control
         Use various methods to verify that change control has maintained the qualified state of equipment. (Apply)
   4. Qualification and validation
      Verify that the qualifications and validations of facilities, equipment, and utilities are conducted in accordance with various requirements, including factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), installation, operational, and performance qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) prior to process validation. (Analyze)
   5. Maintenance and metrology systems
      1. Maintenance procedures
         Verify that procedures are in use for routine and non-routine maintenance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, air and water filters, and other GMP equipment and utilities, etc. (Analyze)
      2. Metrology change control
         Verify that appropriate calibration and engineering/equipment change control procedures are in use, and that a metrology program exists for the calibration of instruments that control manufacturing facilities, utilities, and equipment. (Analyze) [Note: Calibration of instrumentation is covered in III.D.3.]
   6. Cleaning, sanitization, and sterilization systems
      1. Washing facilities
         Verify that washing facilities are adequate and properly located. (Apply)
      2. Cleaning procedures
         Review cleaning procedures in accordance with prior cleaning validation, whenever validation is required and performed. (Apply)
      3. Sanitization procedures
         Review sanitization procedures for facilities and equipment, including details on cleaning schedules, methods, equipment, materials, etc., and verify that sanitizers, disinfectants, sporicides, and sterilants are used in accordance with marketing authorization and any required validation studies. (Apply)
      4. Pest control
         Review and verify that a pest control program is in place and that it uses authorized rodenticides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigating agents, and appropriate traps for pest elimination, etc. (Apply)
      5. Sterilization processes
         Verify that appropriate sterilization processes are in place. (Apply)
   7. Automated or computerized systems
      1. Validation procedures
         Review procedures for validation of these systems, including building maintenance systems, utilities and equipment. Verify that critical parameters for their operation and maintenance are controlled and monitored. (Evaluate)
      2. Open and closed computerized systems
         Distinguish between open and closed computerized systems. (Apply)
      3. Configuration control
         Verify that version control and configuration are maintained and monitored. (Evaluate)
      4. Security requirements
         Evaluate computerized systems to ensure they meet regulatory and guidance requirements for key elements, such as access control, data protection, change control, data archiving, maintenance, transcription, audit trail, periodic system monitoring, etc. (Evaluate)
   8. Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
      1. Supply chain impact
         Review plans and verify procedures for disaster recovery and business continuity that will guard operations from interruption to the supply chain. (Evaluate)
      2. Contingency plan
         Verify the testing and effectiveness of contingency plans as required or proceduralized. (Apply)
         
         
5. MATERIALS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (15 QUESTIONS)
   1. Receipt of materials
      1. Incoming materials
         Describe and use processes to receive and store incoming materials, including raw materials, tank farm liquid chemicals or solvents, components, labels, etc., and take appropriate action on deviations, such as damaged materials, materials from unapproved suppliers, missing documentation, etc. (Apply)
      2. Inventory transactions
         Describe and use procedures for documenting inventory transactions, such as material selection and "stop shipments" for quality holds. (Apply)
   2. Sampling processes
      1. Sampling plans
         Review sampling plans for representative sampling, appropriate sample size, and test or inspection criteria. (Apply)
      2. Sampling environment
         Differentiate and apply the requirements for sampling environment and utensils to the type of the material being sampled. (Apply)
      3. Cleaning
         Ensure that the sampling environment is appropriately cleaned and monitored and that sampling utensils are appropriately cleaned or are single-use. (Apply)
   3. Material storage, identification, and rotation
      1. Storage suitability
         Confirm that the storage environment is suitable, controlled, and monitored as required for the type of materials. (Analyze)
      2. Storage labels
         Confirm that the identification label for stored materials contains the required information. (Analyze)
      3. Stock rotation
         Define and use stock rotation requirements, such as first-in/first-out (FIFO) and first-expired/first out (FEFO). (Apply)
      4. Retest dates vs. expiration dates
         Describe the difference between retest dates and expiration dates. (Understand)
      5. Mix-up risk
         Describe potential sources of mix-up and identify methods to minimize their risk, including material segregation, labeling, special storage for rejects, control of material returns, lot-control methods, special process for materials with similar names, etc. (Analyze)
   4. Shipping and distribution
      1. Temperature-sensitive requirements
         Identify special requirements for temperature-sensitive products, including tertiary packaging design, monitoring devices, etc. (Analyze)
      2. Special requirements
         Determine specific product requirements and apply them to routine shipping processes. (Apply)
      3. Report requirements
         Analyze shipping reports and transportation requirements in accordance with good distribution practices. (Analyze)
      4. Supply chain security
         Identify and apply the various means to secure the supply chain, including tamper-evident seals, shipping manifests, verification of documentation, barcoding, radio frequency identification (RFID), etc. (Apply)
   5. Traceability and sourcing
      1. Traceability requirements
         Define and differentiate the requirements for traceability of incoming materials, intermediates, and finished drugs. (Apply)
      2. Biological agent requirements
         Identify and apply the requirements related to biological agents such as bovine and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (BSE and TSE). (Apply)
      3. Pedigree and sourcing requirements
         Identify and apply requirements for maintaining pedigree and sourcing details for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biological starting materials, excipients, intermediates, finished products, etc., and document the supply chain, from raw materials through wholesale or retail to end user. (Apply)
   6. Salvaged/returned goods and destruction
      1. Disposition
         Review salvaged and returned goods and evaluate them for disposition. (Evaluate)
      2. Destruction facilities and processes
         Determine whether qualified facilities and processes need to be used to destroy materials. (Apply)
         
         
6. STERILE AND NONSTERILE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS (25 QUESTIONS)
   1. Master batch and completed batch records
      1. Required elements
         Review batch records for required elements, including proper issuance, sections on yields, critical manufacturing step verification, processing instructions, hold times, etc. (Apply)
      2. Record processing requirements
         Confirm that batch records meet requirements for execution, review and disposition decisions. (Analyze)
   2. Production operations
      1. Application factors
         Describe and differentiate the requirements for manufacturing processes according to their application: human or veterinary drugs or biologics. (Apply)
      2. Utility requirements
         Identify the facility and utility requirements that are appropriate for different production environments and product types, including sterile vs. nonsterile manufacturing, solid and semisolid dosage forms, liquids, creams, ointments, combination products, etc. (Analyze)
      3. Sanitization and protection
         Identify various production operations that require gowning, sanitization, hygiene, and other product-protective steps. (Apply)
   3. In-process controls
      1. In-process testing
         Identify appropriate tests for each step in the manufacturing process and review results. (Analyze)
      2. Critical process parameters (CPPs)
         Identify and select appropriate CPPs. (Analyze)
      3. Process capability studies
         Review process capability studies, and calculate Cp and Cpk. (Apply)
      4. Specification limits
         Assess specification limits in relation to registration or compendial requirements. (Evaluate)
   4. Dispensing and weighing controls
      1. Staging areas
         Review product dispensing and after-dispensing staging areas to determine whether they meet requirements. (Analyze)
      2. Dispensing materials
         Identify the requirements for using weighing equipment and handling utensils for dispensing raw materials or intermediates, including proper cleaning, labeling, and environmental controls, based on the type of material and manufacturing process being used. (Apply)
   5. Requirements for critical unit processes
      1. Parameters for sterilization
         Identify required CPPs for such unit processes as sterilization or sterilizing filtration, aseptic filling, depyrogenation, lyophilization, other drying processes, tablet granulation and compression, terminal sterilization, cream or ointment emulsification, etc. (Analyze)
      2. Validation studies
         Explain and evaluate the validation studies, specifically the methodologies and acceptance criteria--required before implementing critical unit processes. Explain and evaluate validation studies required for aseptic processes including process simulations ("media fills").(Evaluate)
      3. Unit processes
         Assess unit processes or their validations for deviations requiring investigation. (Analyze)
      4. Operating procedures
         Review qualification and validation results and confirm that they are reflected in operating procedures. (Analyze)
      5. Reevaluation and revalidation
         Determine appropriate criteria and frequency for reevaluation and revalidation of unit processes. (Evaluate)
      6. Environmental monitoring requirements
         Differentiate between environmental monitoring requirements for different manufacturing area classifications. (Apply)
      7. Monitoring tools
         Describe and use various monitoring tools to measure viable and nonviable particulates, pressure differentials, temperature, humidity, etc. (Apply)
   6. Contamination and cross-contamination
      1. Sources
         Identify potential sources for these events. (Apply)
      2. Risk mitigation
         Describe and apply various techniques for mitigating the risk of these events, including cleaning, facility and equipment design, qualified disinfectants, operator training, validation, monitoring, etc. (Apply)
   7. Reprocessed and reworked materials
      1. Disposition process
         Distinguish reprocessing from reworking and apply appropriate documentation, approval, and disposition methods for these materials. (Apply)
      2. Storage
         Describe and apply requirements for segregation and secure storage of these materials. (Apply)
         
         
7. FILLING, PACKAGING, LABELING (17 QUESTIONS)
   1. Filling operations and controls
      1. Materials control
         Develop and review procedures to ensure the identity, strength, and purity of specified materials (e.g., liquids, powders, ointments, tablets, capsules, suspensions, etc.) and to prevent them from being altered. (Create)
      2. Filling equipment control
         Analyze the controls needed for various types of production equipment and processes and ensure that the appropriate controls are in place to verify filling criteria. (Analyze)
      3. Contamination controls
         Identify controls to prevent microbial and other contamination at all stages of filling. (Apply)
      4. Staged materials
         Review staged materials and confirm that they are approved for use. (Apply)
      5. Status labeling
         Identify and apply proper status labeling throughout the process. (Apply)
   2. Environmental monitoring
      Use various monitoring techniques (active air sampling, settle plates, nonviable particle counting, contact plates for surfaces and people, etc.) to determine that appropriate environmental conditions are maintained in various operations. (Apply)
   3. In-process and finished goods inspections
      1. Finished goods inspections
         Develop criteria for in-process and finished goods inspections of filled and packaged materials, including seal tests, torque testing, bottle rejection systems, etc. (Create)
      2. Vision and detection systems
         Ensure that vision and detection systems are qualified, calibrated, and challenged as required for the system. (Apply)
      3. Defect characterizations
         Ensure that defect characterizations are identified for each product and can be detected by inspection or test. (Apply)
      4. Equipment failure detection
         Confirm by inspection or test that equipment failures can be detected. (Apply)
   4. Parenteral product inspection
      1. Staff evaluation
         Ensure that staff who perform manual inspections are properly trained and that their inspections meet reproducibility requirements. (Apply)
      2. Automated inspection processes
         Ensure that automated inspection processes are validated. (Apply)
      3. Defect library
         Ensure that a defect library is available to confirm proper manual and automated inspection processes. (Apply)
      4. Inspector requirements
         Establish requirements for inspectors to have periodic eye examinations. Confirm and document that they take frequent breaks from inspection. (Apply)
   5. Packaging operations and controls
      1. Content protection
         Develop and apply procedures to prevent the environment or events from altering the identity, strength, and purity of the package content. (Create)
      2. Qualification and maintenance of equipment
         Ensure that equipment used in packaging operations is qualified and maintained. (Apply)
      3. Line clearance operations
         Determine that line clearance is performed and documented. (Apply)
      4. Quality check criteria
         Identify and apply specified criteria when quality checks are performed. (Apply)
      5. Cut-label procedures
         Apply appropriate procedures for cut labels, splices, etc. (Apply)
      6. Hand-applied label procedures
         Ensure that hand-applied labels are 100% inspected. (Apply)
      7. Production process controls
         Distinguish between controls needed for different types of production processes. (Analyze)
      8. Contamination controls
         Identify controls to prevent microbial and other contamination at all stages of packaging. (Apply)
      9. Tamper-evident packaging
         Ensure that tamper-evident and child-proof packaging requirements are in place for required products. (Apply)
   6. Labeling operations and controls
      1. Label printing in packaging
         Confirm and document that any printing done separately or in the course of packaging is performed correctly. (Apply)
      2. Quality of print used
         Ensure that any type of print information (engraved, embossed, etc.) on packaging materials is clear and resistant to fading, smudging, or erasure. (Apply)
      3. Label reconciliation
         Confirm that label reconciliation is performed. (Apply)
      4. Label changes
         Determine whether regulatory notification and approval is required for proposed label changes. (Apply)
      5. Unused labels
         Confirm that procedures are in place and in use for destroying unused labels and labeling materials. (Apply)
   7. Filling and packaging records
      1. Terms
         Define terms related to these records, including evidence of line clearance, printed material reconciliation, yields, etc. (Understand)
      2. Setup instructions
         Ensure that packaging line setup instructions are appropriate for all components. (Apply)
   8. Artwork development and controls
      1. Terms
         Define terms related to artwork/graphics, offline printing, roll label splicing, gang printing, secure storage and destruction, etc. (Understand)
      2. Access control
         Ensure that controls are in place for the creation and use of artwork. (Apply)
         
         
8. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (10 QUESTIONS)
   1. Quality by design concepts
      1. Critical quality attributes (CQAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs)
         Identify CQAs for products and CPPs for processes. (Understand)
      2. Design space
         Define the concept of design space as it is used throughout the product lifecycle. (Understand)
      3. Process analytical technology (PAT) tools
         Identify PAT tools, including multivariate data analysis, process analyzers, process and endpoint controls, etc., and describe their use in supporting the manufacture of quality products. (Remember)
   2. Phase-appropriate GMP requirements
      1. ICH Q8
         Identify recommendations contained in the ICH Q8 guidance for pharmaceutical development. (Understand)
      2. Development phases
         Identify recommendations and requirements in relation to phases of development, including method qualification/validation, comparability protocols, adoption of critical process parameters and specifications, etc. (Understand)
      3. Combination products
         Identify various studies required for combination drug-device or drug-delivery products. (Understand)
      4. Clinical trials material
         Describe and apply requirements for packaging of clinical trials material/IMPs. (Apply)
   3. Raw materials, packaging, and infrastructure for product development
      Select appropriate development studies for raw material selection and evaluate the results to determine their critical quality attributes . (Analyze)
   4. New product development studies and reports
      Analyze studies and reports, including stability reports, material compatibility, method development, development reports, etc., to support product development and submissions. (Analyze)
   5. Scale-up and transfer activities
      1. Development and validation reports
         Identify and distinguish development and validation studies. (Understand)
      2. Technology transfer types
         Define different types of technology transfer, including, manufacturing site change, analytical laboratory site change, etc., and analyze inter-site comparison of results. (Analyze)
      3. Transfer efficiency
         Define various studies, including ranging, capability, in-process control, hold times, shipping, etc., to improve transfer efficiency between development and commercial processes. (Apply)

SIX LEVELS OF COGNITION
BASED ON BLOOM'S TAXONOMY - REVISED (2001)

In addition to content specifics, the subtext detail also indicates the intended complexity level of the test questions for that topic. These levels are based on the Revised "Levels of Cognition" (from Bloom's Taxonomy, 2001) and are presented below in rank order, from least complex to most complex.

REMEMBER
Recall or recognize terms, definitions, facts, ideas, materials, patterns, sequences, methods, principles, etc.

UNDERSTAND
Read and understand descriptions, communications, reports, tables, diagrams, directions, regulations, etc.

APPLY
Know when and how to use ideas, procedures, methods, formulas, principles, theories, etc.

ANALYZE
Break down information into its constituent parts and recognize their relationship to one another and how they are organized; identify sublevel factors or salient data from a complex scenario.

EVALUATE
Make judgments about the value of proposed ideas, solutions, by comparing the proposal to specific criteria or standards.

CREATE
Put parts or elements together in such a way as to show a pattern or structure not clearly there before; identify which data or information from a complex set is appropriate to examine further or from which supported conclusions can be drawn.

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