After more than five years and two public drafts for comment, the European Commission this week published the final version of the new EU GMP Annex 1 "Manufacture of Sterile Medicinal Products". Learn more about deadlines and changes compared to the 2nd draft version for comment from 2020.
FDA draws consequences for poor quality of hand disinfectants and UV Wands
In the follow-up to the pandemic situation, the FDA is still reviewing the manufacture and importation of hand sanitizers and identifying potentially critical hand sanitizers. This is shown by the warning letter issued to Guangzhou Orchard Aromatherapy & Skin Care Co.
Ethanol - an important Active Ingredient for Infection Prevention?
WHO, KRINKO and RKI are concerned with the pending biocide approval and indispensability of ethanol as a component of infection prevention and healthcare. They have published a corresponding statement.
Almost 1,600 interested colleagues downloaded version 1 of the ECA Expert Task Force's Contamination Control Strategy Guide from the ECA Foundation website - and numerous comments came in. This feedback has now been incorporated into a revised version of the CCS Guide.
In a Warning Letter addressed to a US-American pharmaceutical manufacturer, the FDA points out various deficiencies in aseptic production. Among other things, deficiencies are described in the design of equipment and rooms, airflow and visual inspection.
USP publishes Draft Guideline on Analytical Methods for mRNA Vaccines
At a time of increased interest in mRNA-based medicinal products and vaccines, the USP has published for comment a draft guidance document on "Analytical Methods for the Quality of mRNA Vaccines".
USP intends to revise the Chapters on Microbiological Control of Non-sterile Medicinal Products
In PF46(2), the United States Pharmacopoeia has published a Stimuli article addressing the planned revision of chapters relevant to microbiological control of non-sterile products.
PharmEuropa - Revision of Chapter 2.6.30 Monocyte Activation Test
After the revision in 2017, the Monograph 2.6.30. Monocyte Activation Test in the European Pharmacopoeia undergoes a new revision which is open for comments until the end of June.
Without airlocks between cleanroom areas of different cleanroom classes, no flow of material or personnel would be possible. But what are the GMP or purity requirements for airlocks?
Revision of Chapter 2.6.7 of the European Pharmacopoeia published for Comment
After about 10 years, the EDQM has now published a draft revision of Chapter 2.6.7 on mycoplasma testing, which will be available for comment until the end of June.
EDQM Survey: TOC to replace Test for oxidisable Substances in Sterile WFI
The EDQM has launched a survey on whether the test for oxidisable substances for sterilised water for injection (Sterile WFI) in the European Pharmacopoeia should be changed to a test for total organic carbon (TOC). Read more.
ECA comments on FDA Guideline on Visual Inspection
In December 2021, the FDA published its long-awaited Draft Guideline on 100% Visual Inspection of Parenterals. Comments were accepted until mid-February 2022. Members of the Advisory Board of the ECA Visual Inspection Group took advantage of this opportunity and submitted numerous comments.
ECA publishes Contamination Control Strategy Guideline
In order to support its members, but also to support the industry in general in implementing the requirement of the upcoming revised Annex 1 for a Contamination Control Strategy, the ECA has published a CCS Guideline. This document provides guidance and a template for the development of a contamination control strategy.
Requirements for Plastics in Pharmaceutical Equipment Engineering
Stainless steel is predominantly used in pharmaceutical equipment engineering. The 316L variant is basically regarded as standard; material incompatibilities of the steel with the product are more or less neglected. This is different with plastics. In addition to leach-out, aging and surface finish, other quality characteristics are often specified. But are there generally applicable requirements for plastics in pharmaceutical equipment engineering?