Good
documentation practice GDP is a systematic procedure of preparation, reviewing,
approving, issuing, recording, storing and archival of any document.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTATION:
As
per GMP "If it is not written down, then it did not happen". The
document provides information on when, where, who, why and how to complete the
task. The document provides evidence proving that the tasks have been completed
as they should be.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF GDP:
1.
Always record the entries at the time of activity simultaneously.
2.
Always record date with signature in GMP records.
3.
Always use an indelible ballpoint pen to record data in GMP records.
4.
Always enter the data directly in the GMP records in the English language.
5.
Never use a pencil or erasable or water-soluble ink pen to complete the GMP
records.
6.
Never use white ink or correction fluid to correct the entry in GMP records
7.
Never sign for someone else on any document. Only sign for the work that you
have performed yourself.
8.
Never back date GMP records.
9.
Never discard original raw data of any kind.
10.
Never use scratch papers, loose papers or “post it” to record the data.
11.
Never discard or destroy any GMP record unless retention period expiry is
reached.
12.
Documentation and records used throughout the manufacturing process, as well as
supporting
processes,
must meet the basic requirement of GDP.
List
of such documents is provided below (List is not limited):
Bill
of Materials
Specifications
Protocols
Test
methods
Checklists
Forms
/ Log sheets
Training
assessments
Certificate
of Analysis
Technology
transfer document
Validation
documents
Maintenance
records
Calibration
records
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Below
mentioned requirements should be applied to all the documentation within the
GMP environment.
A.
Clearly written documentation:
●
All documents must be accurate and written in a manner that prevents errors and
ensures consistency.
●
If documents are to be used together, e.g. a SOP and a form, then each should
reference the other.
●
Ensure there is traceability between two or more documents/records using formal
document numbers or record identification.
B.
Using indelible ink:
●
All records must be filled out in indelible BLACK or BLUE ballpoint pen for long
term legibility.
●
Do not use pencil or ink that can be erased.
C.
Legible handwritten Entries:
●
A document is unusable if it cannot be read, so care must be taken to ensure
that handwriting is legible. All entries must be made at the time the tasks are
performed and should be legibly signed and dated.
●
The same is true for electronic documents and records – language should be
clear and unambiguous.
D.
Reviewing and approving:
●
To ensure that the information is correct and accurate, documents and records
should be reviewed by someone who has performed the task and has proper
knowledge. A signature and date by the reviewer/approver confirm that a review
has taken place.
●
Unsigned documents or records are incomplete and should not be used to perform
any task or considered as evidence of a completed task
E.
Employee signatures:
●
Handwritten signatures must be unique to the individual and listed within the
signature register to ensure that the signature is traceable to the concerned
employee (or contractor).
●
Any employee should not be permitted to sign for another member of staff unless
delegated. Signatures must never be forged.
●
The management of the signature record should be governed by a procedure and
routinely reviewed so that it remains current – new employee should sign the
signature register during induction, the signature register must indicate the
date employee exit.
PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS
1.
Clear and concise titles should be used for headings, tables, graphs, etc.
2.
Pages in the master document should be numbered as X of Y.
3.
Full-text spelling with the abbreviation in brackets should be used for the
first time. The abbreviation may be used in place of full-text spelling in the
remainder of the document.
4.
All documents should have the signature and date of the person who prepared the
document, reviewed the document and approved the document.
5.
All master documents should have an effective date, approval date, and current
version number.
6.
Respective SOPs should be followed while preparing the documents.
7.
Words that everyone can understand should be used. Unfamiliar words reduce the
reader’s understanding of what is written. Definitions of abbreviations should
always be included in the document for reference. This is most effectively done
by including the definitions in a table format, at the start or end of the
document.
8.
Ensure that the contents of the document are not squeezed into a smaller area
just to limit page numbers. Documents with small margins and no spaces between
paragraphs and headings can be difficult to look at, hard and slower to read.
Space the contents out so that the type/font is easy to read for all users.
9.
When creating a document, consider the context in which the document may be
used in the future and whether the reader has enough background information.
10
People remember information best when there is a strong visual prompt, such as
a diagram. When the document has to be lengthy, consider using tables to
structure the information for the easy understanding of the reader.
11.
Training of the document should be planned only after approval of document and
shall be completed before the effective date.
ISSUANCE AND RETRIEVAL OF GMP RECORDS
1.
All the forms associated with the activity should be part of respective SOPs.
2.
QA maintains the list of GMP impacting forms and its associated SOP.
3.
Records for issuance and retrieval of such forms should be maintained.
RECORDING THE TIME AND DATE IN GMP RECORDS
1.
Time should be entered in 24:00-hour cycle. Record the time in HH: MM format.
For Example 11:05 AM should be written as 11:05 and 11:05 PM should be written
as 23:05.
2.
The date should be entered in DD.MM.YY format. For example, 27th July 2013
should be written as 27.07.13.Place “0” before the digit if the digit is less
than 10 for the recording of date.
DATA RECORDING IN THE GMP RECORDS
1.
Date and time should be recorded in GMP records as mentioned above.
2.
Data should be recorded only in the format duly issued and approved by Quality
Assurance.
3.
Entries in the logbooks should be made in chronological order. Entries should
never be pre-completed.
4.
Data recording should be done by trained and authorized person.
5.
Data should be recorded as it is displayed on the respective equipment panel.
6.
Unusual observation during the activity should be recorded, signed and dated.
Same should be reported to area person in-charge and QA.
7.
If any observation/signature/date are to be repeated, the same should be
rewritten. Ditto (----“---) marking or “as above” or “do” should not be used.
8.
Manual entries should be reviewed and signed by the second person for accuracy
and completeness.
9.
Raw data/print outs generated during the activity should be signed at the left
bottom with date and should be attached to relevant records. Printouts made on
the thermal paper should be photocopied. Thermal paper copy along with
photocopy should be attached to the concerned record.
CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN GMP RECORDS
1.
Incorrect entries in GMP records should not be overwritten or blocked to make it
unreadable.
Always
use a single strike out line (For example: Incorrect Entry) to mark the
incorrect entry in such a manner that entry remains readable.
2.
Correct entry should be written near to the strikeout entry. Person correcting
the entry should put the initial signature and date along with corrected entry.
Only the person who made the original entry and strikethrough should make the
correction. If this is not possible, notify to QA.
3.
The reason for correcting the entry should also be documented on the record. In
the case of space constraint in the document, the reason for correction should
be mentioned on the footer of the record with (*) sign.
HANDLING OF MISSING ENTRY IN GMP RECORDS
1.
Entries in the GMP records should be done contemporaneously with the activity.
However, the procedure mentioned below should be followed in the exceptional
case of missing entry in GMP records.
2.
Missing entry in the GMP records can be re-entered later if the data are
retrievable. (For example: start time of blender is missed by the operator,
however, the entry for the same is mentioned in the equipment usage log)
3.
In such case, an entry should be made with a clear indication of the date when
the activity was performed and the date the activity is recorded on the
document.
4.
Document the explanation to substantiate the entry and the reason for the delay
in recording.
5.
Missing entry in the GMP records for non-retrieval data should be handled
through event investigation procedure (For example, operator missed the reading
of drying temperature during the operation, where there is no automatic data
recording mechanism in place).
WORKING WITH BLANK OR UNUSED SPACE
Blank/Unused
space in the GMP records should be strikeout as below with single line with
sign and date to ensure that record cannot be added to a later date.
CANCELLATION OF GMP RECORDS
Cancellation
of GMP records should only be allowed in the rare case with the approval of QA
and in exceptional cases such as spillage of chemical on the record. Event
investigation procedure should be followed to determine further course of
action. The reason for cancellation should be documented for cancellation of
the document and signed by area person in-charge and QA.
