From 'Back' To 'Front': FDA, Industry Experts Advise Device Manufacturers On Best Inspection 'War Room' Practices – And Don't Forget The Swedish Fish

Ever since the first FDA inspection took place decades ago, manufacturers have relied on so-called "inspectional war rooms" – spaces where subject matter experts and others work to fulfill investigator needs – but such back rooms can cause headaches for device firms and stretch out inspections if they select unsuitable workers to staff and manage them. Larry Kopyta, a quality/regulatory VP for Omnyx, says it's vital for employees to be adequately trained on FDA inspection activities, but he notes that it's even more important to not clog up a rear room with an excessive number of workers, warning that things "can easily become out of control. You need to find a good ringmaster." Yet a back room isn't the only place manufacturers should be careful about using the right people. Present in the front room – where investigators traditionally work when onsite at a firm – should be helpful, reliable facilitators that aid investigators with requests and answer an array of questions.