cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) is a quality management system developed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  GMP compliance is needed to ensure the quality of FDA regulated products like drugs, medical devices, and food.

FDA ensures the quality of drug products by carefully monitoring drug manufacturers’ compliance with its Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations.  The CGMP regulations for drugs contain minimum requirements for the methods, facilities, and controls used in the manufacturing, processing, and packing of a drug product.  The regulations make sure that a product is safe for use, and that it has the ingredients and strength it claims to have.

The approval process for new and generic drug marketing applications includes a review of the manufacturer’s compliance with the CGMPs. FDA assessors and investigators determine whether the firm has the necessary facilities, equipment, and ability to manufacture the drug it intends to market.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  FDA’s portion of the CFR is in Title 21, which interprets the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and related statutes, including the Public Health Service Act. The pharmaceutical or drug quality-related regulations appear in several parts of Title 21, including sections in parts 1-99, 200-299, 300-499, 600-799, and 800-1299.

The regulations enable a common understanding of the regulatory process by describing the requirements to be followed by drug manufacturers, applicants, and FDA.