ICH

Term from Pharmaceutical Services industry explained for recruiters

ICH (International Council for Harmonisation) is a global standard system used in the pharmaceutical industry to ensure medicines are developed and tested safely across different countries. Think of it like an international rulebook that helps drug companies, researchers, and regulatory agencies work together using the same safety and quality guidelines. When someone mentions ICH in their resume, they're showing they understand these important international standards for developing and testing medicines. It's similar to how ISO works for manufacturing, but specifically for pharmaceuticals.

Examples in Resumes

Led compliance team in implementing ICH guidelines for new drug development process

Conducted quality assurance reviews following ICH and ICH GCP standards

Managed clinical trials documentation according to International Council for Harmonisation requirements

Typical job title: "Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Regulatory Affairs Specialist Clinical Research Associate Quality Assurance Specialist Pharmaceutical Compliance Manager Drug Safety Specialist Clinical Operations Manager GMP Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you implement ICH guidelines in a company that's expanding internationally?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in creating compliance strategies, understanding different regional requirements, and ability to train teams on ICH guidelines. They should mention risk assessment and change management approaches.

Q: Can you explain how recent ICH guideline updates have impacted drug development processes?

Expected Answer: Candidate should demonstrate knowledge of current ICH guidelines, explain practical implications for drug development, and show experience in adapting processes to meet new requirements.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key ICH guidelines relevant to clinical trials?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, safety reporting requirements, and basic documentation standards in simple terms.

Q: How do you ensure compliance with ICH documentation requirements?

Expected Answer: Should describe practical experience with documentation systems, quality control processes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is ICH and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that ICH creates international standards for drug development and testing, and why these standards matter for patient safety and global pharmaceutical development.

Q: What are the basic ICH quality guidelines?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic quality guidelines and their purpose in ensuring consistent drug development and manufacturing standards.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of ICH guidelines
  • Document control and organization
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) basics
  • Quality control fundamentals

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Implementation of ICH guidelines
  • Clinical trial documentation
  • Quality assurance processes
  • Compliance monitoring

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic compliance planning
  • Global regulatory strategy
  • Team training and development
  • Change management in regulatory affairs

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of current ICH guidelines
  • Lack of understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
  • Unable to explain basic quality control concepts
  • No experience with regulatory documentation