| Other Laboratory Operations Food and Drug Administration |
| DOCUMENT NO.: III-06 | VERSION NO.:2.3 | Section 6 ORA Method Development and Validation Program | EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/02/2004 | REVISED: 12/03/2008 |
6.4 Roles and Responsibilities
6.4.1 Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs (ACRA) and the Office of Regional Operations (ORO)
The ACRA and the Director of ORO share responsibility for promoting and supporting a strong ORA method development and validation program as well as determining ORA goals.
6.4.2 Regional Food and Drug Directors (RFDDs)
The Regional Food and Drug Directors assign a specific number of FTEs to each laboratory based on past method development/validation accomplishments, laboratory expertise, and agency need in specialty and program areas.
6.4.3 Division of Field Science (DFS)
The Division of Field Science (DFS) develops and implements the method development and validation guidelines and manages the overall program. DFS issues the call for proposals, assigns reviewers and approves proposals, assigns Research Project Numbers (RPN) and compiles and maintains the approved and completed project list.
DFS works with the Laboratory Directors, the Centers, and analysts to guide and assist with the method development and validation process. The Director of DFS is the recommending and approving official for field laboratory method development and validation programs. DFS monitors the various steps in the process, issues requests for proposals, coordinates proposal review, approves projects, and receives progress reports.
6.4.4 ORA Laboratory and Science Branch Directors
Direction and management of the ORA method development and validation resources reside at the local laboratory management level. Laboratory management is responsible for developing and executing their laboratory's method development and validation program. This includes: developing and selecting the most significant projects, providing funding, and assuring that work plan resources are fully planned and executed. Timely planning, direction, and accomplishment of these projects are crucial. Laboratory Directors rely on supervisors, senior laboratory staff, and Science Advisors.
Laboratory management must establish an environment where there is vigorous growth, development, and accomplishment of projects within the laboratories. Recognition that is commensurate with the level of contribution to the regulatory mission of ORA and FDA by scientists who successfully complete method development and validation projects is an important aspect of a successful program.
6.4.5 ORA Analysts
ORA analysts are responsible for the following:
- submitting method development and validation needs in response to DFS' call;
- developing and submitting proposals in accordance with the approved procedures;
- timely accomplishment of approved projects;
- adhering to the highest standards of intellectual honesty and ethical standards in formulating, conducting, and presenting method development and validation work; and
- following research and publication requirements and guidelines written in sections 6.5 and 6.6.
6.4.6 Science Advisors
Science Advisors aid laboratory management and analysts by providing technical analytical guidance and method development and validation process guidance at the local level. More specifically, the advisors provide direction towards the development of concept and method development and validation project papers, and assist in the conduct, evaluation, and presentation of method development and validation endproducts. They promote interaction and collaborations with their respective universities and other science advisors where appropriate.
Additionally the science advisors recommend improvements towards the method development and validation program, provide periodic follow-up reports regarding method development and validation's regulatory impact including associated publications, presentations, collaborative studies, adoption as official methods by additional field and headquarters laboratories, and inclusion in compliance programs.
6.4.7 FDA Center Scientists
FDA Center scientists respond to DFS' requests for method development and method validation projects involving ORA participation. These projects will be reviewed by DFS for inclusion in the program. Center scientists may serve as project leads. Center scientists provide technical guidance, method documents and validation protocols as requested by ORA scientists and DFS for projects included in the method development and validation program.
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