As part of inspections the authorities also check computerised systems. Klaus Feuerhelm, former inspector at the Regierungspräsidium Tübingen, has created a TOP 3 list of the most frequent complaints for 2020. TOP 2 of the list - system descriptions. What were the deficiencies found here?
Near infrared (NIR) analytical procedures are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for identification testing and assay measurements and for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes. In this context, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a new Guidance for Industry entitled Development and Submission of Near Infrared Analytical Procedures.
The Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), as the international association of pharmaceutical inspectors, published the long-awaited guidance document on data integrity on July 1, 2021. Read more about the contents of the document PI 041 "Good Practices for Data Management and Data Integrity in regulated GMP/GDP Environments".
When we talk about data and data integrity, we always talk about ALCOA+. But what is hidden behind this abbreviation and do you really understand the implications?
New Version of WHO Guidelines on Process Transfer Published as a Draft
The WHO has recently published a new version of its guidelines on the transfer of technology as a draft. Many new chapters have been added to the previous document.
In April 2021, the U.S. FDA issued a Warning Letter to a Colombian API manufacturer due to significant violations of cGMP regulations for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
APIC: Update of the "Cleaning Validation" Guide for APIs
The new version of APIC's document "GUIDANCE ON ASPECTS OF CLEANING VALIDATION IN ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENT PLANTS" was finalised in February 2021 and is now available.
FDA Warning Letter to Mexican Manufacturer based on Review of Documents
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published a Warning Letter to a Mexican firm whose facility is registered as a manufacturer of over-the-counter (OTC) drug products in the United States. The Warning Letter is not based on inspection findings from an onsite audit but on the review of documents that the company was required to send at the request of the FDA. The FDA found different serious deficiencies based on the submitted documents.
What is the FDA's Position on Concurrent Validation?
In the FDA Guidance for Industry on process validation, there is also a short section on concurrent validation. Concurrent validation should be used rarely, but may be possible if, for example, products are manufactured infrequently or medically necessary products are needed for short-term market supply. A recent Warning Letter underlines the guideline's statement that concurrent validation should be used rarely.
Many of the requirements laid down in the US-American GMP regulations (21 CFR 210/211) are not very specific. However, they are concretized among other things by Guidances - and by Warning Letters. Warning Letters in particular show very clearly how the FDA interprets its GMP regulations. A current Warning Letter provides information on the tasks of the Quality Assurance Unit.
Distribution of Temperature-Sensitive Pharmaceuticals: Requirements according to the EU GDP-Guidelines
With the approvals of various COVID-19 vaccines in many countries, the question arises how to safely transport the serum from the production sites to the storage and distribution centres and then on to the local vaccination centres. However, this question does not only arise for COVID-19 vaccines, but also any other temperature-sensitive product in general. The EU GDP-Guidelines contain some specific requirements for temperature-sensitive products in this regard.
Since 2005, the ICH Guideline Q9 has been the state of the art when it comes to quality risk management (QRM) in the GMP environment. Now it is to be revised. What is planned?
FDA Warning Letter: No Adequate Quality Unit, Laboratory Controls, Sampling Plans, and Stability Program
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sent a warning letter to a US over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturer due to significant violations of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for finished pharmaceuticals.
Cloud Computing: Regulations for the Return Transmission of Data in the Event of Business Discontinuation
The issue of data integrity generates a multitude of questions. Current questions are addressed in a loose sequence of News. Question 10: What regulations must be in place to ensure that in case of business discontinuation (insolvency) of a cloud service provider, the data is completely returned to the client?