What is Difference between Quality Control and Quality Assurance?

What is the Difference between Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA)?

I am asking this question to many fresher candidates in the interview; to evaluate their awareness about the pharmaceutical industry and the work functions of the various departments

This answer has two levels,

• Basic level answer
• Advanced level answer

If the question is asked to a fresher candidate; the basic level answer is acceptable, but if the candidate is experienced; the advanced level answer is expected by the interviewer to evaluate the conceptual clarity about the departmental responsibilities.

• Basic level answer

• Quality Control function is related to analysis as per validated and approved Method and the result shall be compared with the pre-defined approved specification.

means, QC is related to the testing of the product

• Quality assurance is a wide-ranging concept covering all matters that individually or collectively influence the quality of a product.

means, QA is ensuring the quality of the product at all the stages of the product life-cycle

• Advanced level answer

There is 7 (seven) conceptual difference between QA and QC