Hot yopics in microbiology

The 21st Pharmig microbiology conference, held in November 2013, focused on a more proactive approach to preventing microbial contamination. Di Morris, the keynote speaker, covered many aspects of the procedures that need to be followed when OOS events occur and emphasized the need to monitor and trend data to show that the manufacturing system is properly under control. Another suggestion from Morris was to keep a photo library of gram stains to help quickly distinguish any that have not previously been seen. Andy Matthews, Operations Director at Quantum Pharmaceuticals, looked at effective team investigations. The priority was to assemble a good team to investigate any OOS event. Stephen McGrath, Site Microbiologist at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Ireland, gave an informative presentation on what might be considered objectionable organisms from a regulator's point of view, when manufacturing non-sterile products. Dr Tim Sandle, Site Microbiologist, BPL shed light on the importance of fungi in his comprehensive review of fungal contamination in pharmaceutical products.