C H A P T E R 2
Support Groups and
Organizations for
Regulatory Professionals
By Amy Grant
Q
Support groups and organizations offer many benefts to regulatory
professionals. People fnd great value in networking and sharing nonproprietary
information and experience. There are many opportunities to specialize and
deepen one’s knowledge of regulatory and to learn and improve in general.
Collaborations in groups and organizations have produced benefts such as
standards for technology, revisions and clarifcation of regulations and guidelines
and critical path initiatives ultimately resulting in innovative medicines for
patients. Support groups and organizations offer opportunities for leadership,
development and mentoring all of which enhance a regulatory professional’s
skills and practices.
Support groups are informal networks of people that may or may not be part
of a formal professional organization. Support groups may be formed within or
outside the workplace and may involve people with common interests who meet
informally on a regular basis to discuss their challenges and experiences.
Professional organizations are formalized bodies with a common interest
or purpose. Some professional organizations may also have support groups and
activities such as special interest groups, workshops and local chapters, and
activities that offer benefts to smaller subgroups of the membership.
Working in regulatory requires innovative thinking interpretation of
laws, regulations and guidelines and experience-based decision making.
Support groups and organizations provide educational forums for discussion
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