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Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the International Conference on Harmonisation Regions

FinalCenter for Drug Evaluation and Research Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research02/20/2008

Description

This document describes a process for the evaluation and recommendation by the Q4B Expert Working Group (EWG) of selected pharmacopoeial texts to facilitate their recognition by regulatory authorities for use as interchangeable in the ICH regions. Following favorable evaluations, ICH will issue topic-specific annexes with information about these texts and their implementation (the Q4B Outcomes). Implementation of the Q4B annexes is intended to avoid redundant testing by industry.

Key Topics

Terms and concepts identified from this document

Scope & Applicability

Stakeholders

7
Q4B EWG Rapporteur

Individual notified of the submission for awareness

ICH secretariat

Intermediary for document submission

Q4B EWG

Expert Working Group that evaluates documents for regulatory impact; Expert Working Group receiving the document submission

Manufacturer

Entity responsible for submitting NDINs

Sponsor

Entity responsible for submitting applications under section 524B

ICH Steering Committee

Body that endorsed the S10 guidance

Q4B Expert Working Group

Evaluates selected pharmacopoeial texts for recognition

Regulatory Context

Regulatory Activities

3
Variation

Regulatory mechanism for handling compendial changes

Prior Approval

Regulatory mechanism pertaining to compendial changes

ICH step process

Process followed to develop topic-specific annexes

Document Types

6
Information chapters on pharmacopoeial harmonization

Chapters in pharmacopoeias providing clarifying information

Briefing Note

Document dealing with residual differences and implementation schedules

PDG Stage 5B sign-off document

The PDG Stage 5B sign-off document: Japanese Pharmacopoeial Forum

Marketing Authorization Application

Submissions to the MAA regarding postapproval changes

Q4B Annex

Topic-specific document issued following the ICH process

Topic-specific annex

Information about pharmacopoeial texts and their implementation

Technical Details

Testing Methods

4
Equivalency study

Study conducted to determine outcome of harmonization

Bacterial Endotoxins

General chapter discussed during ICH Q6A development

Sterility

Vector safety testing should include microbiological testing such as sterility

Dissolution

Part of stability testing parameters

Processes

1
Q4B Evaluation Process

Process to determine if pharmacopoeial text is interchangeable

Standards & References

External Standards

5
Pharmacopoeial Texts

Texts intended for adoption and publication

JP

Japanese Pharmacopoeia referenced for Uniformity of Dosage Units

Ph. Eur.

European Pharmacopoeia referenced for statistical process control.

USP

United States Pharmacopeia standards for compendial drug substances; confirming conformance to the application-approved specification and USP

United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.

Member of the PDG

Specifications

2
Uniformity of Dosage Units

Harmonized standard for content and mass uniformity

General Test Chapters

Initially, the Q4B process will focus on evaluating the 11 General Test Chapters

ICH References (3)

ICH Q6B

Specifications for biotechnological/biological products; Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products

ICH Q6A

Referenced regarding specifications and solid state forms.

ICH Q4B

Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts

Related MFDS Guidelines

Korean regulatory guidelines covering similar topics

See Also (8)

Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the International Conference on Harmonisation Regions | Guideline Explorer | BioRegHub