This year's event on 23/24 June 2026 in Barcelona (Spain) already took place.

The next Forum will be held in June 2028. The GMP Auditor Forum is held every 2 years.

**************************

Read here about the 2026 GMP-AUDITOR FORUM

The GMP Auditor Forum 2026, held on 23–24 June at the Barceló Sants Hotel in Barcelona, Spain, once again proved to be the premier gathering for GMP auditing professionals. Building on the success of the inaugural Forum in 2024, this second edition brought together experienced and aspiring GMP auditors, industry consultants, and former regulatory inspectors for two days of expert presentations, interactive sessions, and valuable networking opportunities.

THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Update of the ECA GMP Auditors Reference Handbook

A central theme of the Forum was the presentation of the latest updated edition of the ECA GMP Auditors Reference Handbook. Experts involved in its ongoing development introduced new chapters and attachments. Association members continue to benefit from free access to the online version of this essential reference resource.

2. Auditing AI Applications — A Forward-Looking Focus

A major highlight of the 2026 Forum was its focus on Artificial Intelligence in GMP auditing. Both a presentation and an interactive session explored how auditors can effectively integrate AI into audit planning and reporting, how to audit AI providers and AI applications at manufacturers, and how to navigate the associated regulatory, technical, and documentation challenges. This topic resonated strongly with participants as AI adoption in the pharmaceutical industry continues to accelerate.

3. Expert Presentations on Critical Auditing Topics

A distinguished faculty of speakers, including former MHRA inspectors, lawyers, and senior industry auditors delivered presentations on a broad range of topics highly relevant to today's auditing environment like for example:

  • Inspection and MHRA Experience, offering personal insights from a seasoned inspector
  • Rights and Limits of the Auditor, covering legal consequences of misconduct, auditor authority, and how to handle criminal behaviour discovered during an audit
  • Auditing Global Supply Chains, addressing cultural and regional differences across Asia, the EU, and the US, ethical dilemmas, and strategies for maintaining uniform audit standards across subsidiaries

4. Interactive Parallel Sessions — Experience Sharing at its Best

The Forum's parallel sessions were once again a highlight for many attendees, offering a hands-on, discussion-driven format in which participants could actively exchange experiences. Sessions covered:

  • Dealing with difficult situations in audits
  • Categorising and summarising audit observations
  • Successful self-inspections and internal audits
  • Auditing brand new facilities without a quality history
  • Digital proficiency and auditing in a paperless environment
  • Hybrid and remote assessments in audit planning

5. Networking and Social Event

As in 2024, the Forum provided rich networking opportunities throughout the event. A social evening on Day 1, featuring a city tour and dinner, allowed participants to connect with colleagues from around the world in a relaxed and informal setting, fostering the sense of global community that is at the heart of the ECA GMP Auditor Association.

x
Search