The MHRA GVP inspectorate recently published the latest inspection metrics for the period from April 2020 to March 2021. All inspections in this period were conducted remotely. The largest number of findings in the reporting period related to quality management systems, followed by risk management, and ongoing safety evaluation.
To ensure effective and efficient safety assessment of clinical trials, the EU Commission published rules and procedures for the cooperation of the Member States. The new Regulation will become applicable on 31 January 2022 - together with the Clinical Trials Regulation (EU) No 536/2014.
EMA: Updates of the Q&A Documents for "Centralised Procedures"
In December 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published the updated and revised versions of the "Questions & Answers (Q&A)" documents related to centralised marketing authorization procedures on their website.
In the course of the Brexit negotiations, the role of Northern Ireland was always in focus. The aim of the EU in particular was to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. Now there are further announcements and publications.
Questions and Answers on Labelling Flexibilities for COVID-19 Vaccines
The EMA published an updated version of the Q&A document relating to labelling flexibilities for COVID-19 vaccines. Can a QR code replace the printed expiry date?
COVID-19 Vaccines - Inspections under Emergency Approvals in the US
The GAO report details the number and frequency of FDA inspections of Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers and other biopharmaceutical manufacturers during the pandemic period.
WHO publishes Guidance on Safe Production and Quality Control of Monoclonal Antibodies
In October, the WHO published a draft revision of the Guide for the Safe Production and Quality Control of Monoclonal Antibodies. It is a continuation of the guidance documents on this topic that have already existed since 1991.
Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT)- FDA explains which products fall under "RMAT"
By providing clarification on the designation "Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy" , the FDA is providing more clarity on which products may fall in this classification.
The E6(R3) EWG is currently working on ICH´s Guideline on Good Clinical Practice to address the application of GCP principles to the increasingly diverse trial types and data sources. To update international parties on the EWG’s progress ICH hosted a web conference in May.
Final ICH E8(R1) Guideline on General Considerations for Clinical Trials
The final ICH E8(R1) guideline reached Step 4 of the ICH Process. It provides guidance on the clinical development lifecycle, including designing quality into clinical studies. The next step in the ICH process is to implement the final guidance in ICH member countries.
The Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR) requires in Article 37 that the sponsor of a clinical trial must submit a lay summary. The European Commission has now published a guideline on "Good Lay Summary Practice" (GLSP).
Herbal Reference Standards - What are Active and Analytical Markers?
Active and analytical markers are used for release and stability testing of herbal substances, preparations and HMPs. The EMA provides guidance on the selection of markers in a reflection paper on markers used for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
In October 2021, the EDQM established a new IT application for handling and managing CEP applications. This resulted in some innovations and changes, especially in the communication between the applicant and the EDQM. This in turn led to updates in the related documents and guidelines.
The EMA committee adopted a concept paper for the revision of the Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP). Interested parties are invited to provide comments by 15 March 2022.