The idea the Calibration Discussion Group (CDG) came about in the early 1990’s in response to the lack of training courses offered for instrumentation professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry. In 1990, local leaders from companies such as Abbott Labs in Rocky Mt, Glaxo in Zebulon, Miles Laboratories in Clayton, and Burroughs Welcome in Greenville, collaborated to form a one-day meeting for pharmaceutical instrumentation professionals. The first meeting was held at Burroughs Welcome in Greenville. About two dozen individuals representing about a dozen companies attended.

The format was simple, a couple of hours discussing current issues, lunch, a plant tour, and a short discussion to conclude the meeting. The benefits to the participants were numerous. The networking of the participants during and afterwards resulted in several Calibration Managers better understanding industry trends and common program approaches.

From 1991 to 1993, additional meetings were held at Abbott Labs in Rocky Mt and Glaxo in Zebulon and RTP. The attendees increased and the participants included not only instrumentation professionals but also quality assurance professionals.

As quickly as these meetings began, these meetings subsided due to the mergers, leaders being relocated or moving into other areas of the business, etc.

In 2001, we decided to resurrect these meetings for many of the same reasons it was started a decade earlier. In an era where the business climate is rampant with “flattening” and “downsizing” of organizations, those individuals who survive have more responsibility at work and less time to attend “traditional” 2 to 3 day conferences, as they could not afford multiple days out of the office. These meetings are in response to the decrease in conference attendance by embracing a new concept that would eventually give rise to what we know today as the local Calibration Discussion Group.

Because of the highly technical and closely regulated nature of the pharmaceutical industry, it is essential that both newcomers and veterans keep abreast of the technical, regulatory, metrology and quality/compliance calibration requirements and initiatives that will impact their company and products. Calibration Discussion Group offers professionals a chance to attend focused and valuable one-day discussions with knowledgeable facilitators at a local venue. This formula minimizes time out of the office and affords companies the chance to send multiple attendees. Additionally, the leadership of a Calibration Discussion Group is comprised of local pharmaceutical calibration professionals who are addressing the same issues and asking the same questions as their constituency. As a result, the learning technique applied at a Calibration Discussion Group roundtable or seminar is usually very hands on and real world which allows attendees to return to their company with information and tools that can be directly applied to their environment.

Through the Calibration Discussion Group, participants also have access to the Calibration Discussion Group’s entire network of industry experts and when appropriate, can access this network to identify and secure speakers for their needs. The Calibration Discussion Group serves as a conduit for information relevant to the integrity and quality of a calibration; the compliance requirements for these services; and are a resource for professional and personnel growth and development for instrumentation and quality professionals.

It’s a dynamic time for FDA-regulated industries and we believe the impact and influence of the Calibration Discussion Group has a bright and vibrant future. For more information on joining this discussion group, email us at calibrationmeeting@pci-llc.com or join our online discussion group by visiting our LinkedIn page.



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