GMP News Drug Safety/Pharmacovigilance

The EMA published the Annual report of the Good Clinical Practice Inspectors’ Working Group (GCP IWG) containing examples of findings observed during recent GCP inspections. In addition, the 3-year work plan for the GCP IWG has been released.

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.

Following the start of the application of the EU CTR on 31 January 2022, the MHRA has launched an 8-week public consultation on proposals for legislative changes for clinical trials. Will the UK align with the EU CTR requirements, e.g. regarding labelling of IMPs?

The FDA provides recommendations for sponsors, investigators, and other interested parties on the use of digital health technology for remote data acquisition in clinical trials. What is required regarding software validation and electronic documents?

EMA´s Herbal Medicinal Products Committee (HMPC) released the minutes for the HMPC meeting held in November 2021. Amongst others, the HMPC noted three new Ph. Eur. Cannabis Monographs for flowers and extracts in the pipeline. Other relevant topics were nitrosamines, GACP revision and elemental impurities in herbal medicinal products.

The European Commission published an updated version of the Questions & Answers document relating to the Clinical Trials Regulation (EU) No 536/2014. What documentation is required in the application for the authorization of a clinical trial relating to GMP for IMPs?

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.