thought leadership

ProPharma’s team of dedicated experts is at the forefront of both existing and emerging industry trends. ProPharma’s team inspires tomorrow by leveraging rich data insights across our service lines and functional areas to develop innovative solutions that answer the most complex needs of both existing and prospective clients.

Flywheel swoosh

FDA’s Shift to One Pivotal Trial for Drug Approval: Regulatory Strategy Implications for Sponsors

In a move that could reshape modern drug development, on February 19, 2026, FDA formally confirmed that one adequate and well-controlled pivotal trial may now serve as the default basis for drug approval, rather than the long-standing expectation of two. The announcement and all accompanying...

Good Review Management Principles & Practices, Part One: Fundamental Values

On Tuesday, September 25th, the FDA published a draft guidance containing recommendations on good review management principles and practices (GRMPs) for new drug applications (NDAs), Biologics...

Regulatory Sciences

FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Benefit-Risk Determinations for Devices

On Thursday, September 6th, the FDA released a new draft guidance regarding benefit-risk determinations in medical device premarket approval applications (PMAs), De Novo requests, and humanitarian...

Industry Poll: What are the Leading Challenges with GMP Auditing?

In a recent poll conducted by ProPharma Group, the question “What is your biggest GMP auditing challenge?” was posed to Quality professionals in the drug manufacturing industry. The following graph...

Clinical Research Solutions

Generic Failure: Why so Few ANDAs Are Accepted by FDA on the First Pass

Generic drugs are immensely important to the U.S. healthcare system. These drugs account for 89% of the prescriptions dispensed in the United States. And, over the last decade, generic drugs have...

FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Rates: Fiscal Year 2019

On Wednesday, August 1st, FDA released a notice with updated prescription drug user fee rates for fiscal year 2019. Prescription Drug Application Fees According to the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic (FD&C)...

Quality & Compliance

Implementing a Risk-Based Supplier Management Program

According to recent FDA updates on the implementation of the Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), nearly 40 percent of finished drugs are being imported, and nearly 80 percent of active ingredients,...

The Power to See Differences that Matter

Data collection and analysis is expensive and has the potential to compromise a company’s hard-won compliance position. It is therefore critical that technical leaders follow a systematic and proven...

Pharmacovigilance

Understanding the New Combination Product PMSR Guidance Documents and Impact on Industry

On March 20, 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released two new guidance documents to help companies comply with the December 20, 2016 final rule establishing postmarketing safety...

MassBio Annual Meeting: Event Highlights

MassBio is a non-profit organization that represents and provides support for the life sciences supercluster in Massachusetts. MassBio is committed to growing the industry, adding value to...

Regulatory Sciences

FDA Steps up its Game on Generic Drugs: The Story Behind the Recent Focus on Generic Products

Throughout 2017, the FDA focused its attention on the regulation of generic drug products. In 2015, the Agency issued only two generic-related guidance documents. In 2016, there were seven. In 2017,...

Clinical Research Solutions

Finding a Roadmap to Approval - Hint: You Can't Pick One Up at the FDA

Earning FDA approval for your drug program is a journey. A misstep at any point of that journey could jeopardize your chance at getting your drug approved. That’s why it’s so important to have a...

FDA's Top 483 Observations for 2017: A Reflection of Industry's Compliance

At the beginning of each federal fiscal year, the US FDA posts the previous year’s Form 483 observation metrics issued by each product center. I find that reviewing these metrics provides a valuable...

Quality & Compliance

Transformational Leadership: Part II

Last week, I introduced a two-part series on transformation leadership. We defined transformational leadership, explored the concept, and discussed the benefits of adopting this approach. Well, now...

7 Things to Consider Before Selecting a CRO

Selecting the right contract research organization (CRO) is one of the most important decisions you, as a sponsor, must make. That’s because CROs can improve efficiency and increase productivity,...

Quality & Compliance

Transformational Leadership: Part I

A couple of years ago, an organization asked me to present to their Leadership Team regarding transformational leadership. They wanted to have a better understanding of what makes an organization...

What to Expect During the NDA Review Process

Compiling and submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) submission is a complicated and intensive activity. Once you have submitted your application to FDA, you may be curious about what can you expect...

child-receiving-medical-care-rare-disease

The End of the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program

What’s Next for Rare Disease Innovation? For children suffering from rare and often life-threatening diseases, access to new and effective treatments can mean the difference between life and death....

Several business professionals talking around glass conference table

Safety Data Exchange Agreements (SDEAs) and Pharmacovigilance Agreements (PVAs) – An Overview

A Safety Data Exchange Agreement (SDEA) or Pharmacovigilance Agreement (PVA) is a legal written contract which ensures that all safety data, PV tasks and responsibilities are detailed between two or...

Hands working on a laptop.

FDA's Expedited Programs Explained

In order to incentivize the development of therapies (drugs biologics) to fill unmet medical needs for treatment of serious conditions, the FDA has developed various programs to expedite drug...

Healthcare worker showing a woman details on a tablet device.

What are Patient Support Programs?

Patient Support Programs (PSPs)  in the pharmaceutical sector offer a range of services to help patients start and adhere to their therapies, including Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), patient...

Hand with pen preparing FDA regulatory documents

Regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC): What to Expect During Drug Development

The key to successful drug development in the US is directional and focused navigation of FDA’s Investigational New Drug (IND) process. The Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) section is a...