GMP NEWS 2021

Sampling of materials is one of the most important processes in pharmaceutical companies. An Indian company received a so-called 483 FDA report due to inadequate sampling plans for raw materials and intermediates. Furthermore, the FDA criticises that components used in manufacturing are not tested and released prior to use.

The PIC/S has developed a stand-alone Aide-Memoire (PI 038-2) on Quality Risk Management (QRM) for GMP inspectors. The aim of the document is to provide guidance to GMP inspectors on the inspection of QRM systems in the pursuit of harmonisation.

The European Commission sets new limits for Cadmium and Lead in certain Foodstuffs and Food supplements. Products placed on the market before the entry into force of the new regulations and not complying with the new maximum levels should only be allowed to remain on the market for a limited period of time.

Based on the experience of the past years, the FDA has published a new draft guidance that deals with the microbiological control of non-sterile medicinal products and clarifies it by means of case studies.

FDA Warning Letters frequently cite fundamental GMP deficiencies in quality control. These include lack of testing of incoming material and components and stability testing, as described in a recent Warning Letter to a Honduran medicinal product manufacturer.

The new regulatory framework for veterinary medicinal products requires several changes to the EudraGMDP database. One important change is the integration of EudraGMDP into the EMA's Organization Management Service (OMS).

The "Access Consortium", a consortium of the regulatory authorities from Australia (TGA), Canada (HBFB), Switzerland (Swissmedic), Singapore (HSA) and now also the United Kingdom (MHRA), published a three-year plan regarding planned common approaches and goals.

The go-live date for the CTIS is 31 January 2022. The System will then become the single entry point for clinical trial application submission, authorization and supervision in the EU. In order to help sponsors prepare for using the CTIS, the EMA has now published a handbook.

In July and September 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published the updated and revised versions of the "Questions & Answers (Q&A)" documents on centralised procedures on their website.