Container Performance Testing - New Proposal for USP General Chapter <671>
Pharmacopoeial Forum 39 (2) contains a proposal for the revision of USP General Chapter <671>. Packaging systems have to demonstrate satisfactory container-closure integrity throughout the product's shelf life. It is proposed that this USP chapter will be revised to include a new permeation method for determining barrier protection for packaging systems. You will find more information in this news.
Interesting APIC/CEFIC Guideline for the Qualification of Contract Laboratories
The APIC has published a guideline for the management and the qualification of contract laboratories. The guideline is supplemented by detailed checklists and questionnaires, which are very useful for practice. For more information read this news.
Frequently asked GMP Question: How to reduce testing and comply with GMP?
Testing active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients and packaging materials is one of the main tasks of the quality control units in the pharmaceutical industry. But how to reduce testing and comply with GMP? Read more in our GMP News
FDA publishes ICH Q4B - Annex 13 on Density of Powders
The ICH Guideline on Density of Powders has now been published by the FDA and has thus come into force in the USA. Read more in the News about the possible restrictions of the FDA.
In its final Guideline on Monitoring Crude Heparin for Quality, the FDA sets the FDA quality standards to be considered when using crude heparin. In particular, it must be ensured that heparin isn't contaminated with OSCS and that the correct species origin is used for the extraction of crude heparin. Read more here in the News.
New WHO Initiative "Good Pharmacopoeial Practices"
A new WHO initiative is supposed to harmonise the pharmacopoeia standards, including the acceptance of the monographs between the single pharmacopoeias. To find out more about the WHO initiative "Good Pharmacopoeia Practices" please see the details.
USP defers the Implementation of General Chapters <232> and <233> on Elemental Impurities
The USP has deferred the date for the publication (1st May 2013) of the revised section 5.30.60 in the "General Notices" until further notice. This section would link the General Chapters on Metallic Impurities <232> and <233> to drug product monographs. Read more here about USP's reasons for that decision.
Handling of APIs and Excipients - New Guidelines in Chapter 5 of EU GMP Guide
The new Chapter 5 - Production - of EU GMP Guide deals with many aspects which are relevant for quality assurance and quality control, too - like for example the handling of APIs and excipients, concrete requirements on the acceptance of the certificate of analysis of the supplier as well as the opportunities the new chapter offers regarding reduced sampling and reduced testing. Read more here in the News.
The USP plans the publication of a new general chapter on quality requirements for inhalation and nasal drug products. At the same time, another chapter should deal with the performance characteristics of these products. More information can be found here.
Revision of the EU GMP Guide: EU Commission Proposal for Chapter 6 - Quality Control
The transfer of analytical methods is one of the new requirements in the revised Chapter 6 - "Quality Control" of the EU GMP Guide. The transfer of the test methodology from one laboratory to another has to be described in an written protcol. Please see this news for further information.
Quality Standards on Recovered Solvents in the Manufacture of Herbal Medicinal Products
Recovered / recycled solvents may be used in the manufacture of herbal preparations. But which quality requirements apply to such solvents? According to the "EMA/HMPC Concept Paper", a new guideline on the standards to be used should be elaborated. Read more in this News.
Laboratory Data Integrity in FDA Warning Letters 2012
Demonstrating the integrity and security of laboratory data, records, results and information is paramount for a successful inspection for any GMP regulated quality control laboratory. Please find in our News selected key citations regarding Laboratory Data Integrity in FDA Warning Letters from 2012.
The procedures described in the pharmacopoeial texts for the determination of the density of powders now were judged to be equivalent in the three ICH regions Europe, USA and Japan and were published in the ICH Guideline Q4B Annex 13. You can obtain more information in this news.
ECA Analytical Quality Control Working Group - Final OOS SOP
ECA's working group Analytical Quality Control has developed a new general SOP on the handling of OOS results. This SOP was presented at the OOS Forum in Prague, the official launch conference for this SOP, in June 2012. At the Forum alternative approaches were discussed by representatives of industry and authority. The final ECA SOP came into force in August 2012. Get more information.
New GAMP Guide for Laboratory Computerized Systems
The second edition of the ISPE GAMP® Good Practice Guide for Laboratory Computerized Systems was published in October 2012. Thus, a connection is also established between laboratory equipment and the GAMP® 5 Guide. More information is available in this News.