Cultural excellence is the expressed and implied ways in which an organization operates. Excellence in quality culture is essential for delivering robust and sustained quality performance and ensuring patient-focused outcomes. Culture determines quality outcomes by affecting the organization’s ability to identify and act upon near-miss shortages, ensuring the integrity of its data, assuring transparent problem escalation, and striving for operational excellence.

The Process Performance and Product Quality Monitoring System (PPPQMS) is a fundamental element of the PQS described in ICH Q10. An effective PPPQMS ensures a state of control is maintained and facilitates continual improvement. The ISPE APQ Guide: PPPQMS provides a quality management framework for assessing and advancing an organization’s PPPQMS.

Maintaining the principles and framework of the First Edition, GAMP® 5 (Second Edition) is newly revised and expanded to address the increased importance of service providers, evolving approaches to software development, and the more widespread use of software tools and automation. It highlights the use of Critical Thinking by knowledgeable and experienced SMEs to define appropriate approaches.