Following the introduction of GWP® in a pharmaceutical company in Eastern Switzerland, customer consultants from METTLER TOLEDO, Daniel W. Fuchs and Urs Alig, interviewed Dr. Pierre-Alain Muller from the Post Approval Support Department to discover their impressions after implementing the program.
- Dr. Muller, can you please tell us why you have decided to integrate GWP® into your department?
Our department provides scientific and technical support for all pharmaceutical products
that we have introduced in the market. We were in the process of revising all of our existing
standard operating procedures (SOPs) and implement a simplified and widely accepted approach for routine testing of our laboratory balances. In addition, we needed to purchase a new semi-micro balance. We contacted METTLER TOLEDO and got to learnt about the
GWP® program. As it is based on a risk analysis approach, we immediately knew where and what our testing should be focused on.
- How important are reliable weighing results for you?
We continuously strive to improve our products and to do so we have modern and sophisticated
analytical methods in place. We therefore have to rely on our balances and cannot tolerate any deviations as weighing results are the starting point of many laboratory analyses. Wrong results cost time and money.
Yes. As mentioned,
GWP® is a risk-based program which gives clear guidance as to where we need to place more emphasis on control when the risk is high or where we can save time and effort where the risk factor is low. It proposes all necessary test criteria such as type of test, testing interval, test tolerances and
supplies SOPs for the individual tests. Not only the regular routine tests with weights are taken into consideration but also the external service and recommendations on balance features that further secure the accuracy of the weighing results are supplied.
- What do you mean by ‘balance features’?
GWP® suggests balance features that make it very simple for the user to guarantee the correctness of the weighing results. For example, when we purchased our balances, we made sure that they were equipped with internal adjustment weights and FACT (Fully Automatic Calibration Technology). This eliminates measurement deviations caused by temperature changes. Additional features, such as LevelControl (electronic level monitoring),
help to further reduce error sources. All these features are highly appreciated by the users.
- What have been the most important improvements that you have achieved with GWP®?
The main benefit for us is that it minimizes risks without increasing our workload. It also improves traceability of the measurement uncertainty of our balances in terms of documentation. We feel much more secure and can also prove it.
- Was it difficult and expensive to change over to GWP®?
No. METTLER TOLEDO helped us in all possible situations. What we used to do was not really wrong, but small and very important changes clearly helped us to improve our processes. With minimal investment we are sure that we have chosen the right balances for our needs and are confident that each measurement is accurate. It really has paid off!
- Many thanks, Dr. Muller, for this informative and open discussion.
