Quality Flashcards
What is QbT
Quality by testing. Product is tested at the end of manufacturing. If product passes the test, it is considered of good quality
Limitations of conventional product testing
1) Only a statistically representative sample size can be tested
2) Analyte (usually API/contaminant) must be known and there must be a suitable test method and reference standards available
3) Test method must be accurate, specific & reliable (i.e. validated)
4) Defects are only picked up at the end of manufacturing, thus defective products cannot be rectified/reworked
5) QC tests not conducted/released in real time, leading to expensive cost of storage of bulky products
What is QbD
Design & build quality into product. Quality assurance is moved upstream
What does QA involve
1) Product design/Formulation of dosage form
2) Control of starting materials
3) GMP compliance by manufacturers of APIs & finished dosage forms
4) Contamination control, process validation, stability testing
5) Use of innovative technologies and approaches e.g. process analytical technology (PAT), parametric release
What is the sample size for batch sterility testing
If batch size = 10,000 units, sample size = 20 units
What are the limitations of batch sterility testing
1) High statistical probability of passing batch sterility test, even when contamination level is relatively high
2) Costly
3) Sterilized products cannot be released real time (2 weeks incubation period needed to carry out batch sterility testing), hence leading to expensive storage costs during storage of bulky products (e.g. large volume parenterals)
What is parametric release
Release of a batch of injectable products (LVPs) which has been terminally sterilized, without the need for batch sterility testing
What are the requirements for parametric release
Release is based on critical process parameters (CPPs) of a sterilization process (e.g. autoclaving, moist heat sterilization) which has been rigorously validated (i.e. at end of sterilization process, should have SAL (sterilization assurance level) of ≤ 10^-6)
What are some CCPs that must be monitored during terminal sterilization to approve parametric release
Temperature
Pressure
Sterilization time/cycle
Bioburden of pre-sterilized product
What is quality risk management (QRM) & its objective
A systematic framework to manage quality risk in a stepwise manner
Objective: Assess risks to product quality/patient and manage these risks to an acceptable level
What are steps in QRM
1) Risk identification
2) Risk analysis
3) Risk reduction
4) Risk communication
Risk identification process
Identify risks in:
1) Quality of starting material
2) Premises & equipment
3) Personnel (human) error
4) Production & packaging process
5) Warehouse & pest control
6) Cleaning procedures & contamination
How is risk analyzed
Using analytical & quality control tools
Commonly used tools:
1) FMEA (failure mode & effects analysis)
2) FTA (fault tree analysis)
3) HACCP (hazard analysis & critical control points)
How is risk reduced
1) Reliable suppliers
2) Amend cleaning procedures
3) Training/Re-training
4) Revalidate training process
5) Tighten pest control
What is risk communication
Communicate QRM to internal staff and external stakeholders (to prevent repeat of mistakes)
Who should regulate quality & why
Manufacturers (product & manufacturer’s license holder, distributor & advisor, R&D scientists, production/QC experts)
Regulator (product quality reviewers, GMP compliance inspectors, analytical scientists)
Manufacturer & regulator both have hard skills, knowledge and equipment needed to assure good quality medicines
Hards skills required by manufacturer/regulator to ensure good quality medicines
1) Pharmacology/Pharmacotherapy
2) Medicinal chemistry
3) Pharmaceutics
4) Pharmaceutical microbiology
5) Pharmaceutical law
6) Statistics
7) GMP & quality standards
Soft skills required by regulator to ensure good quality medicines
1) Confidence
2) Assertiveness
3) Integrity & impartiality
4) Perseverance
5) Tact & diplomacy
6) Oral communication & negotiation skills
7) Report writing & written communication skills
8) Willing to travel overseas
Definition of quality
ISO definition:
1) Fit for purpose
2) Fit for medicinal purpose
3) Fit for use in treatment of patient
Quality depends on
1) Identity (of starting materials)
2) Potency
3) Purity
4) Critical quality attributes (CQA)
5) Cross-contamination control
What are CQA
Tablets: Hardness, friability, particle size, dissolution profile
Liquids: pH, clarity, colour index, microbial limits, sedimentation rate
Creams, ointments: Viscosity
Sterile products: Sterility, endotoxin levels
Overall: Stability, homogeneity
International product quality requirements for market authorization
Product quality documents to be submitted to regulator:
1) Product development
2) Control of drug substances, excipients, container-closure system, finished product, manufacturing process
3) Stability testing
4) Product validation
Purity is the
Absence of contaminants/undesirable foreign material