Clarkston’s team of life sciences consultants have highlighted the top quality and compliance trends that businesses should consider. Read all 5 trends for 2024 by downloading the full report here.

The life sciences sector remains committed to its mission of improving existing quality systems to ensure drug effectiveness and patient safety. Regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies are steadfast in their efforts to minimize disruptions in the supply chain and expedite clinical trials through the ongoing advancement of technological systems. This has spurred trends in 2023, including the introduction of quality management initiatives, the growing adoption of quality 4.0, the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for data analytics, the embrace of the virtual pharmaceutical model, and the leveraging of Real-World Data. As we move into 2024, these trends will remain pivotal in shaping the future of advanced quality management practices and ensuring reliability and compliance across industries.  

2024 Quality + Compliance Trends

Trend #1: Fostering a Quality-Driven Culture

Effective use of quality metrics is imperative in assessing the health of a quality system. However, the dialogue concerning quality has evolved toward a more comprehensive approach that considers the behaviors and characteristics of a successful PQS (Pharmaceutical Quality System). This past year, the FDA initiated the Quality Management Program (QMM), signifying a transformation in the assessment of quality management practices. This is a result of the agency realizing the benefit of taking a more proactive approach in its assessments of quality systems, marking “a move away from focusing solely on negative outcomes and one that will move the FDA closer to performance-based regulation.”  

The program aims to surpass the current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) requirements, introducing a five-level rating system to inform manufacturers and purchasers about facility performance. The QMM emphasizes fostering a robust quality culture, recognizing high-quality management practices, identifying growth areas, and reducing supply chain risks, all with the overarching goal of enhancing drug quality.  

Historically, the FDA didn’t incentivize manufacturers to adopt mature quality management systems, leading to minimal modernization and investment in quality. As a result, life sciences companies can benefit from the program’s incentives. Participation in the program presents the potential for increased market share, owing to the program’s transparency, which provides a competitive edge. This transparency grants purchasers, patients, and health professionals valuable insights into and confidence in the drug manufacturing process, ultimately enhancing the participant’s reputation and reducing their share price volatility. Moreover, the program promotes a high level of quality maturity, enabling early detection of quality issues and reducing the risk of drug supply disruptions. 

Download the Full 2024 Quality + Compliance Trends Report Here

Trend #2: Increasing Recognition of Quality 4.0 

Quality management has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into what is now known as Quality 4.0. This evolution is essential to the larger concept known as Industry 4.0, which is the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies with established quality norms. While Quality 4.0 isn’t a novel concept, its prominence is steadily growing, and it’s gaining recognition across various industries. Quality management has been developing over time, and as businesses look to modernize and stay competitive in the ever-evolving business landscape, this approach is becoming more generally recognized and adopted. 

Through the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, Quality 4.0 presents a myriad of opportunities. Enhanced product and service quality can be achieved through the ability to monitor and control production processes with unprecedented precision. Efficiency gains become substantial as data-driven decision-making and process optimization become the norm, benefiting the pursuit of continuous quality improvement through real-time feedback and analysis. 

One of the most significant advantages of Quality 4.0 is its ability to foster collaboration by breaking down organizational silos and enabling a holistic approach to quality. This is achieved through the utilization of digital tools and technology, which promotes seamless data and insights sharing among teams and departments, facilitating real-time collaboration and cultivating a more harmonious and well-coordinated working environment. Furthermore, Quality 4.0 reduces defects, streamlines processes, and mitigates risks while simultaneously making compliance with regulatory requirements more manageable and efficient, further enhancing an organization’s reputation and credibility.

Continue reading by downloading the full report below.

Download the Full 2024 Quality + Compliance Trends Report Here

Contributions from Ayan Mohamud