Jo Ann Peterson, director of quality assurance for NEC, said: “This new software gives us an edge in GMP compliance because it efficiently gathers even the minutest manufacturing details.”

The system incorporates bar coding that couples the staff involved in each manufacturing task with each customer. Every raw material and component is coded upon receipt and electronically tracked throughout the manufacturing process.

From June 2010, even small firms will have to comply with the latest modifications to the US GMP regulation, which provides best practice guidelines seeking to safeguard product quality.