In GLP, what is the primary purpose of the archives for long-term storage of raw data?

• A. To provide long-term storage of raw data in a secure manner
• B. To allow unrestricted deletion after the study
• C. To duplicate data in multiple locations
• D. To publish data immediately after collection

Answer: (A)

In GLP, archives for long-term storage are all about secure, durable preservation of the original raw data so it remains intact and accessible for the required retention period. The aim is to keep data authentic, traceable, and unaltered over years, with documented records of who accessed or changed it and how it was stored, so inspectors or auditors can verify results or re-analyze data if needed. This focused purpose ensures data integrity and regulatory compliance, even long after collection.

Choosing an option that allows unrestricted deletion would undermine data protection and regulatory requirements. Duplication across locations can be part of a robust backup strategy, but it isn’t the primary reason archives exist. Publishing data immediately after collection bypasses the long-term preservation and verification role of archives and isn’t aligned with maintaining data integrity over time.