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APIs in Focus: Understanding ICH, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and Supply Chain Excellence Training Course

A comprehensive and practical introduction

This course will cover key terminology, the EU and USA regulatory framework, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements including controls and validation, and consider Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and how to manage your supply chain.

29-30 April 2026
+ 21-22 October 2026 »

from £1299

Need help?  Enrol/reserve

Course overview

An active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or drug substance is the heart of every medicinal product, delivering the pharmacological activity or therapeutic effect needed to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease. Mastering the complexities of API manufacture is essential for ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in the pharmaceutical industry.

This course is designed to equip you with a clear and practical understanding of best practices and the regulatory landscape governing APIs. You’ll explore critical terminology, dive into the EU and USA regulatory frameworks, and gain insight into Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, including controls and validation. The course also places strong emphasis on the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines, which are increasingly central to global API regulation. You’ll learn how recent and upcoming ICH updates shape expectations for API development, manufacture, and quality assurance.

This course will also cover Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and will give you the tools to manage your supply chain effectively. With interactive exercises integrated throughout, you’ll cement your learning and leave ready to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. Whether you’re building your expertise or refreshing your understanding, this course provides an essential understanding of expectations for success in the development, purchase and manufacture of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

Browse our extensive selection of Life Sciences training courses for industry-leading insights into a range of topics. These include Medical Devices, IVDs, Biotech and Biopharma, Animal Health and Pharmaceutical training courses.

Benefits of attending

  • Gain a comprehensive overview of the API regulatory framework and position yourself to navigate compliance challenges with confidence
  • Enhance your understanding of the key terms used in API manufacture so you can communicate effectively and make informed decisions
  • Recognise how Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) apply to API synthesis and discover how to embed them seamlessly into your processes
  • Understand the different approaches between small molecule and large molecule processing to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry
  • Learn how to manage the risk associated with your supply chain and safeguard product quality from development to delivery

 

Who should attend

  • New entrants to those individuals working in a GxP environment
  • Quality management manufacturing specialists
  • Regulatory compliance specialists
  • Pharmaceutical technical professionals
  • Pharmaceutical professionals looking to enhance their Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Enrol/reserve

This course will cover:

Introduction to APIs

  • Terminology and acronyms
  • Globalisation
  • Introduction to the regulatory framework

Methods and equipment – Part 1

  • Chemical synthesis
  • Reactors
  • Isolation
  • Drying
  • Exercise: managing particle size

Methods and equipment – Part 2

  • Biological
  • Fermentation
  • Harvesting
  • Exercise: impurities

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

  • Requirements
  • Regulations
  • EU
  • FDA
  • Exercise: similarities and differences

GMP requirements (continued)

  • Pharmaceutical Quality System
  • Validation and Qualification
  • Outsourcing
  • Exercise: specialist or generalist

Supply chain considerations

  • Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD)
  • Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for APIs
  • Exercise risk mitigation

Introduction and recap

Registration aspects of production and control

  • The registration process
  • The Common Technical Document (CTD)
  • Active substance/drug master files
  • Exercise: strategy

Laboratory controls

  • Good Quality Control Laboratory Practice (GQCLP)
  • Validation
  • Stability
  • Exercise: data Integrity

Process validation

  • Purpose of validation
  • General considerations
  • Exercise: critical attributes

Cleaning validation

  • Cleaning strategy
  • Key requirements
  • Residues
  • Exercise: purpose

API control packaging materials

  • What to consider
  • Data requirements
  • Extraction, interaction, migration and sorption
  • Toxicology
  • Exercise: environmental factors

Wrap up and Q&A

Enrol/reserve

Paul Palmer
Paul R Palmer Ltd

Paul R Palmer is a Director / Pharmaceutical Consultant and a practicing EU / UK Qualified Person. He has over 35 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry in the development, manufacture and supply of medicinal products and medical devices. 

Throughout his career, Paul has intentionally taken on all opportunities as they arose in order to develop a broad range of knowledge with an in-depth detailed understanding of manufacturing, storage, distribution, research, computerised systems, as well as the facilities and services to support each.

People and systems have always been a core focus, how to ensure best use, optimise and enhance efficiency. He has a level of curiosity rarely displayed in people taking on the qualified person role in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Culture, behaviour and psychology are all significant influences on the systems and processes we implement, but are often ignored.

Paul studied psychology as part of his MSc in 1993 and has always enjoyed observing the world around him with a curiosity that is rarely satisfied.

More details

NEW higher discounts for multiple bookings - bring your colleagues to make your training budget go further:

  • 30% off the 2nd delegate*
  • 40% off the 3rd delegate*
  • 50% off the 4th delegate*

Please contact us for pricing if you are interested in booking 5 or more delegates

29-30 April 2026

Live online

09:30-17:30 UK (London) (UTC+01)
10:30-18:30 Paris (UTC+02)
04:30-12:30 New York (UTC-04)
Timings may be different for each day
Course code 16262

  • GBP 1,299 1,499
  • EUR 1,819 2,099
  • USD 2,087 2,399

Until 25 Mar

View basket 

 
Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

21-22 October 2026

Live online

09:30-17:30 UK (London) (UTC+01)
10:30-18:30 Paris (UTC+02)
04:30-12:30 New York (UTC-04)
Timings may be different for each day
Course code 16549

  • GBP 1,299 1,499
  • EUR 1,819 2,099
  • USD 2,087 2,399

Until 16 Sep

View basket 

 
Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

* Early booking discounts may not be combined with other discounts or offers. As such, the discounts for 2nd/3rd/4th delegates are based on the full price; and apply only when booking multiple delegates on the same date.

Reviews of IPI's APIs in Focus: Understanding ICH, GMP and Supply Chain Excellence training course


I have accomplished a better understanding of API's after the two day webinar. Very good webinar which covers a good range of content, a little dense, so will need to refer back to it at some stage. Speakers were nice and accommodating. They clearly have a good understanding of the content they are presenting.

Jul 16 2025

Stephany Banglayan
Research and Development Analyst, Xeolas Pharmaceuticals

Jul 16 2025

I hoped to achieve a full picture of APIs for my new job and yes I accomplished it. A lot of information..

Marie Lucchini
Regulatory affairs Supervisor, Actylis

United Kingdom

  • MHRA
  • Theramex

Denmark

  • Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S

France

  • Actylis

Germany

  • NAGASE (EUROPA) GmbH

Ireland

  • Xeolas Pharmaceuticals

Netherlands

  • Biosynth B.V.

Poland

  • Theramex HQ UK Limited

Slovak Republic

  • Ewopharma International s.r.o

United States of America

  • BioMarin

Yemen

  • Pharmacy

Enrol/reserve

Run APIs in Focus: Understanding ICH, GMP and Supply Chain Excellence Live online for your team

2 days

Typical duration

Pricing from:

  • GBP 1,000
  • Per attendee, based on 10 attendees
  • Course tailored to your requirements
  • At your choice of location, or online

 

We can customise this course to your requirements and deliver it on an in-house basis for any number of your staff or colleagues.

Contact our in-house training experts Aleksandra Beer and Yesim Nurko to discuss your requirements:

Multiple colleagues? See above for details of our discounts for 2, 3, or 4 delegates. For more, talk to one of our training experts to discuss how to:

Run this course conveniently and cost-effectively in-house for your staff and colleagues

Aleksandra Beer

Aleksandra
BEER

Training expert

Yesim Nurko

Yesim
NURKO

Training expert

Yesim Nurko

Harry
ALTAMONT

Training expert

+44 (0)20 7749 4749

inhouse@ipiacademy.com