In the pharmaceutical industry, CQ typically refers to Component Qualification.
Component Qualification (CQ) is a process, developed around 2005, that focuses on ensuring auxiliary components used in pharmaceutical manufacturing are produced according to predefined design criteria and meet specific quality standards. This is vital for the overall quality and safety of pharmaceutical products.
Here's a breakdown of what component qualification entails:
- Purpose: To verify that auxiliary components are manufactured consistently and meet the required design specifications.
- Focus: Auxiliary components, which are parts that support the primary manufacturing process but are not directly part of the final drug product.
- Objective: To provide documented evidence that these components are fit for their intended use.
While "CQ" might occasionally be used in other contexts within the pharmaceutical industry (e.g., potentially referring to "Change Qualification" in some organizations, though this is less common), Component Qualification is the most widely accepted meaning.
