Perspectives on interactions with QA--the regulatory perspective

It has been my experience that the quality assurance unit (QAU) normally serves as the facility point-of-contact with the agency on matters relating to a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance inspection. The QAU usually receives the notification letter, does most of the coordinating for the GLP inspection, and often bears the criticism for deficiencies found during the inspection. In general, as inspectors, we have found it difficult to get management to show any interest in the inspection and, in many facilities, have been forced to communicate almost entirely with the QAU. The evolution of the relationship between regulators and the QA community, which parallels the evolution of the image of quality assurance personnel from inexperienced technicians to recognized professionals, is discussed. Also discussed are both typical and atypical examples of interaction between government inspectors and quality assurance units.