GMP News - APIs and Excipients

According to a draft version for the German Cannabis Law (Cannabisgesetz, CannG), cannabis for medical purposes will no longer fall within the scope of the Narcotics Law (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BtMG). What changes may result?

The USP previously announced to elaborate a chapter on quality considerations for Cannabis. Now the draft chapter <1568> Quality Considerations for Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products for Clinical Research has been published in PF 49.3. Comments can be sent to the USP until end of July.

The EMA has published on its website an updated overview with recommendations for the use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) in children.

The CMDh (Co-ordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures - Human) updated the Q&A document on "Renewals" in March 2023 and published it on the HMA (Heads of Medicines Agencies) website in the CMDh - Questions & Answers section in April.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently published a new Warning Letter. An OTC manufacturer received information indicating that the finished drug products produced with isobutane propellants were contaminated with benzene. The company's own analyses as well as results of the FDA laboratory testing confirmed the presence of this impurity. The company failed to perform adequate investigations and so far, the root cause of the benzene contamination is not understood.

In March 2023, the WHO published the first draft of the guideline "WHO good manufacturing practices for excipients used in pharmaceutical products" on its website for comments. The public comment period ends on 26 May 2023.

In March 2023, the U.S. FDA issued a Warning Letter to the US American company "Omega Packaging Corp" after having inspected its site in October and November 2022.