QP: The Roadmap to becoming a Quality Person
The 2025 UK GDP Association Conference featured a wide range of insightful speaker sessions and Tanya Agombar kicked off day one with her session which was dedicated to demystifying the pathway to becoming a Qualified Person (QP).
In this blog, we take a closer look at her background, her work at QP Quandary and the essential guidance she shared during her session at the conference.
Who is Tanya Agombar?
Tanya Agombar is a seasoned quality professional and Director of Training and Consultancy at QP Quandary Ltd, a specialised company offering Qualified Person (QP) training, consultancy, mentoring and support services for pharmaceutical professionals.
With a career spanning nearly two decades, Tanya brought deep expertise in both sterile and non-sterile manufacturing environments, quality assurance leadership and professional coaching to the conference. Having been a QP since 2019, she blends hands-on industry experience with an evident passion for mentoring further QPs, demonstrated through her work leading training modules, mock Viva interviews and personalised coaching.
About QP Quandary Ltd
Based in the UK, QP Quandary Ltd specialises in supporting individuals and organisation seeking expertise in Qualified Person training and pharmaceutical quality systems. Its services include candidate election, sponsor support, bespoke training modules, interactive coaching sessions, mock Viva interviews and even locum QP services.
This holistic approach ensures that candidates are prepared not just for the QP application and Viva, but for the broader responsibilities they will undertake within industry quality systems.
Beyond structured training, the QP Quandary team emphasise quality culture, regulatory understanding and personal development, all essential elements in today’s complex regulatory environment.
UK GDP Association 2025 Conference Speaker Session Summary: How to become a QP
In her session, Tanya guided delegates through a practical roadmap to becoming a QP in the UK, from eligibility prerequisites to the rigorous application and interview process.
Below is a breakdown of the key themes she covered in her session:
Educational and Professional Foundations
To begin the QP journey, candidates must hold a science-based degree and have substantial relevant experience, typically at least two years in Quality Assurance/Pharmacy roles within a manufacturing setting.
For qualified pharmacists, this requirement is slightly reduced to one year.
A sponsor, ideally someone you work closely with, is essential to vouch for both experience and professional suitability. Sponsors play a mentoring role throughout the candidate’s preparation.
Sponsorship and Mentoring Support
The sponsor does not need to be a QP themselves, a senior Quality Assurance or Quality Control Manager can fulfil this role, but they MUST be a member of a recognised professional body such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Royal Society of Biology or Royal Society of Chemistry. Sponsor reports which chart a candidate’s progress are a formal part of the QP application process.
The Application Process
The application process involves the completion 11 core modules plus a sterile module (if applicable).
Once completed a QP named on the licence of the organisation of the applicant, must review and sign off the application. The application is then submitted, typically along with a detailed training and activity log. QP Quandary offer core training modules and an intensive 3-day course to applicants to support their application and understanding of the process.
Application documentation is extensive, candidates often compile over 40 pages of evidence, reflecting training, activities undertaken and involvement in their organisations Quality Management System (QMS).
This evidence-based approach assures QP assessors of the readiness of the candidate for the role of a QP.
Assessment and Viva Interview
After submission, assessors review the application and provide feedback, often requiring additional information.
Successful applicants are then invited to a 90 to 120 minute Viva interview. This is a critical thinking exercise involving multiple interviewers. Rather than memorised facts, the interview assesses reasoning, regulatory interpretation, and decision-making under realistic scenarios. Candidates are not expected to have all the answers but must be able to demonstrate sound logic referenced against regulations.
Post Interview and Role Reality
Passing the Viva does not automatically mean you are a QP; it qualifies you for nomination on a manufacturers licence.
Tanya emphasised that the roles of the QP involves much more than batch release. It involves quality system oversight, involvement in change management, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) and ongoing compliance activities. All of which make up the role and responsibilities of a QP. The role of a QP serves as a legal and ethical guardian of patient safety, acting as a bridge between the organisation and the regulatory body such as the MHRA.
Conclusion: A conference to Inform, Inspire and Connect
The 2025 UK GDP Association conference was more than a professional gathering, it was a platform for learning, mentorship and community engagement.
From regulatory experts to quality leaders like Tanya, the depth of diversity of speakers ensured that every delegate left with valuable insights.
In the run up to our 2026 annual conference, we will be sharing more recaps of our 2025 speakers and their sessions on our blog page and over on our LinkedIn so be sure to follow UK GDP Association C.I.C (Community Interest Company) so you don’t miss any updates.
Registering for the 2026 conference
The UK GDP Association C.I.C (Community Interest Company) is delighted to announce that our third Annual Conference will be held on Tuesday 16th June 2026 and Wednesday 17th June 2026, in Northampton.
As with previous years, we have some amazing high-profile speakers, subject matter experts and multiple workshops scheduled each day to make this an industry leading interactive experience for delegates. The conference will cover a broad range of relevant GDP topics over the two days. There is something for everyone!
Conference Pricing
There are discounted tickets available for UK GDP Association members, members can save £100 when attending both conference days. However, our commitment to low-cost, high-value educational content means that conference tickets will still be the best value whether you chose to join as members or not.
Membership is only £29 +VAT per individual, per year and offers reduced costs on consulting, training and conference tickets. If you buy tickets for both conference days, there is an even greater discount. Costs for non-members is just £224.50 per day, a fraction of the cost of other industry events!
In addition, on the evening of Tuesday 16th June, we will be hosting an evening event of dinner, networking, and even some of Dave’s infamous karaoke, for just £49 +VAT per person. This is a fundraising dinner in aid of the MVA Society.
Please see here for more information on the conference and to book your conference and evening dinner tickets.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you all at the conference!
2025 Conferences
