FDA Warning Letter: Acetaldehyde and Acetal Impurities in Hand Sanitizers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published two Warning Letters to manufactures of hand sanitizer drug products. In both cases, acetaldehyde and acetal impurities at unacceptable levels were found in several lots. The agency is concerned, because acetaldehyde is considered to be genotoxic, and potentially carcinogenic.
FDA concludes that existing Regulatory Framework is not applicable for CBD
The U.S. FDA has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed that balances the desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks.
In the EudraGMDP database, results of European inspectors are published in so-called Non-Compliance Reports. In the period October-November 2022, there were two reports in the area of GMP, both of which were issued due to cross contamination.
European Commission: Canada Part of the "White List" ?
Furthermore, the "Falsified Medicine Directive (2011/62/EU)" requires a "Written Confirmation" for the import of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from third countries. The APIs imported from countries on the so-called "White List" are an exception to this. In future, Canada will also be listed on this "White List".
The EDQM (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare) has adopted the document "Management of CEP guidelines and operational documents for the CEP procedure" by the end of 2022 and has now published it on its website. This document explains the new process for the development of supporting documentation related to CEPs (Certificate of Suitability of Monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia).
Does Heating in a Vaporizer Reduce the Microbial Load in Cannabis?
There is currently an ongoing discussion about the microbiological quality requirements for medical Cannabis depending on the route of administration. To move forward authors from the FDA recently published an article about a microbiological study of bulk Cannabis.
Nitrosamine Impurities: EDQM completes General Monographs 2034 and 2619
The two pharmacopoeial monographs (2034) and (2619) have recently been revised. Read more about the requirements that manufacturers of APIs need to follow with regard to possible nitrosamine contamination in their products.
FDA Warning Letter caused by Lab Data Integrity issues
In December 2022, the U.S. FDA issued a Warning Letter to the Brazilian company "Nortec Quimica SA" after having inspected its site in Rio de Janeiro in July 2022. Significant violations of cGMP regulations for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are listed and a long list of Data Integrity remedation activies is required.
USP: Further Updates on "Residual Solvents" published for Comments
The USP chapter "<1467> RESIDUAL SOLVENTS-VERIFICATION OF COMPENDIAL PROCEDURES AND VALIDATION OF ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES" refers to the information provided in chapter <467 RESIDUAL SOLVENTS> and has thus now also been updated. The new draft has already been published on the website of the Pharmacopeial Forum of the USP and can be commented on until 31 March 2023.
FDA Warning Letter due to Inadequate Storage Conditions and Repacking/Relabeling Operations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a Warning Letter to a drug repackaging and relabeling facility located in Pennsylvania. The document summarizes significant deviations from current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). It also addresses Good Distribution Practice (GDP) aspects.
Australia Amended its Cannabis Regulation regarding GMP Requirements
Australia´s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which regulates Medicinal Cannabis in Australia, has put out its latest Compilation regarding the production and import regulations (TGO 93). As of July 2023, all imported medicinal cannabis products released for supply in Australia will have to present evidence to be produced under GMP.
USP: Possibility to Comment on the "Residual Solvents" Chapter
As recently reported, the "ICH guideline Q3C (R8) on impurities: guideline for residual solvents)" has been updated and can be consulted on the ICH website under the section "Quality Guidelines". As a result, the USP chapter "<467> Residual Solvents" has now been revised and published for comment on the USP Pharmacopeial Forum website.
EMA/CMDh: Update of the Q&A Document on Nitrosamines
The Q&A document "Questions and answers for marketing authorisation holders/applicants on the CHMP Opinion for the Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 referral on nitrosamine impurities in human medicinal products", which was jointly prepared by the EMA and the CMDh, has been updated and the latest version published on the EMA website.
FDA: Updated ANDA PFC Document Published for Comment
In December 2022, the US-American FDA published the draft of the so-called document entitled "ANDAs: Pre-Submission Facility Correspondence Related to Prioritized Generic Drug Submissions" for comment. This is the second revision of the guidance document, which has been in place since 2017. It is now open for comment until 07 March 2023.
The "IRIS guide to registration and RPIs" was updated again between the end of November and mid-December 2022. The "IRIS guide for applicants" has also been revised and is now valid as version 2.13. The latest versions of both documents are available on the EMA website.