2. Laboratory controls
General Controls
Sampling
Testing of RM, PM, Excipients, APIs &
FP
Validation of Analytical Procedures
Certificates of Analysis
Stability Monitoring
Expiry / shelf life
Reserve/Retention Samples
Good laboratory practices
Documentation
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3. General Controls
▪ The independent quality unit(s) should have at its disposal
adequate laboratory facilities.
▪ There should be documented procedures describing sampling,
testing, approval or rejection of materials, and recording and
storage of laboratory data.
▪ Laboratory records should be maintained in accordance with
online testing.
▪ All specifications, sampling plans, and test procedures should be
scientifically sound and appropriate to ensure that RMs, PMs,
Intermediates, in-process, APIs, FP and labels conform to
established standards of quality and/or purity.
▪ Specifications and test procedures should be consistent with those
included in the registration / filing. Specifications, sampling plans,
and test procedures, including changes to them, should be drafted
by the appropriate organizational unit and reviewed and approved
by the quality unit(s).
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4. General Controls
▪ Appropriate specifications should be established
for RM, PM, Excipients, in-process, APIs & FP in
accordance with accepted standards and
consistent with the manufacturing process.
▪ The specifications should include a control of the
impurities (e.g. organic impurities, inorganic
impurities, and residual solvents). If the
RM/API/FP has a specification for microbiological
purity, appropriate action limits for total
microbial counts.
▪ Objectionable organisms should be established
and met. If the API/FP has a specification for
endotoxins, appropriate action limits should be
established and met.
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5. General Controls
▪ Laboratory controls should be followed and documented at the
time of performance. Any departures from the above described
procedures should be documented, investigated and explained.
▪ Any out-of-specification result obtained should be investigated
and documented according to a procedure. This procedure
should require analysis of the data, assessment of whether a
significant problem exists, allocation of the tasks for corrective
actions, and conclusions. Any resampling and/or retesting after
OOS results should be performed according to a documented
procedure.
▪ Reagents and standard solutions should be prepared and
labelled following written procedures. “Use by” dates should be
applied as appropriate for analytical reagents or standard
solutions.
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6. General Controls
▪ Primary reference standards should be obtained as appropriate for the
manufacture of FP/ APIs. The source of each primary reference standard
should be documented. Records should be maintained of each primary
reference standard’s storage and use in accordance with the supplier’s
recommendations. Primary reference standards obtained from an officially
recognized source are normally used without testing if stored under conditions
consistent with the supplier’s recommendations.
▪ Where a primary reference standard is not available from an officially
recognized source, an “in-house primary standard” should be established.
Appropriate testing should be performed to establish fully the identity and
purity of the primary reference standard. Appropriate documentation of this
testing should be maintained.
▪ Secondary reference standards should be appropriately prepared (working
standard), identified, tested, approved, and stored. The suitability of each
batch of secondary reference standard should be determined prior to first use
by comparing against a primary reference standard. Each batch of secondary
reference standard should be periodically requalified in accordance with a
written protocol.
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7. Sampling
The sample taking should be done and recorded in
accordance with approved written procedures that
describe:
• The method of sampling;
• The equipment/tools to be used;
• The amount of the sample to be taken;
• Instructions for any required sub-division of the
sample;
• The type and condition of the sample container to
be used;
• The identification of containers sampled;
• Any special precautions to be observed, especially
with regard to the sampling of sterile or noxious
materials;
• The storage conditions;
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8. Sampling
• Instructions for the cleaning and storage of sampling tools.
• Samples should be representative of the batch of materials or
homogeneous/ uniform , products from which they are taken.
• The sampling plan used should be appropriately justified and based
on a risk management approach.
• Sample containers should bear a label indicating the contents, with
the batch number, the date of sampling and the containers from
which samples have been drawn. They should be managed in a
manner to minimize the risk of mix-up and to protect the samples
from adverse storage conditions
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9. Testing of RM, PM, Excipients, APIs
& FP
▪ For each batch of RM, PM, Excipient, intermediate,
API & FP, appropriate laboratory tests should be
conducted to determine conformance to
specifications.
▪ An impurity profile describing the identified and
unidentified impurities present in a typical batch
produced by a specific controlled production process
should normally be established for each API & FP.
▪ The impurity profile should include the identity or
some qualitative analytical designation (e.g. retention
time), the range of each impurity observed, and
classification of each identified impurity (e.g.
inorganic, organic, solvent).
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10. Testing of RM, PM, Excipients, APIs
& FP
▪ The impurity profile is normally dependent
upon the production process and origin of
the FP/ API.
▪ Appropriate microbiological tests should be
conducted on each batch of intermediate
and API where microbial quality is specified.
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11. Testing of RM, PM, Excipients, APIs
& FP
▪ Testing methods should be validated.
▪ All testing operations described in the marketing
authorization or technical dossier should be carried out
according to the approved methods.
▪ The results obtained should be recorded. Results of
parameters identified as quality attribute or as critical
should be trended and checked to make sure that they are
consistent with each other. Any calculations should be
critically examined.
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12. Testing of RM, PM, Excipients, APIs
& FP
❖ The tests performed should be recorded and the records should include
at least the following data:
• Name of the material or product and, where applicable, dosage form;
• Batch number and, where appropriate, the manufacturer and/or
supplier;
• References to the relevant specifications and testing procedures;
• Test results, including observations and calculations, and reference to
any certificates of analysis;
• Dates of testing;
• Initials of the persons who performed the testing;
• Initials of the persons who verified the testing and the calculations,
where appropriate;
• A clear statement of approval or rejection (or other status decision) and
the dated signature of the designated responsible person;
• Reference to the equipment used.
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13. Testing of RM, PM, Excipients, APIs
& FP
▪ All the in-process controls, including those made in the production area
by production personnel/IPQC, should be performed according to
methods approved by Quality Control and the results recorded.
▪ Special attention should be given to the quality of laboratory reagents,
solutions, glassware, reference standards and culture media. They should
be prepared and controlled in accordance with written procedures.
▪ Working standards should be established as suitable for their intended
use. Their qualification and certification as such should be clearly stated
and documented.
▪ Whenever compendial reference standards from an officially recognized
source exist, these should preferably be used as primary reference
standards unless fully justified.
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14. Microbial testing of RM, PM,
Excipients, APIs & FP
▪ Laboratory reagents, solutions, reference standards and culture media should be
marked with the preparation and opening date and the signature of the person
who prepared them with proper valid date.
▪ The expiry date of reagents and culture media should be indicated on the label,
together with specific storage conditions. In addition, for volumetric solutions, the
last date of standardization and the last current factor should be indicated.
▪ Culture media should be prepared in accordance with the media manufacturer’s
requirements unless scientifically justified.
▪ The performance of all culture media should be verified prior to use. Used
microbiological media and strains should be decontaminated according to a
standard procedure and disposed of in a manner to prevent the cross-
contamination and retention of residues.
▪ The in-use shelf life of microbiological media should be established, documented
and scientifically justified.
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15. Validation of Analytical Procedures
▪ Analytical methods should be validated unless the method employed is included in the
relevant pharmacopoeia or other recognized standard reference.
▪ The suitability of all testing methods used should be verified under actual conditions of use
and documented.
▪ Methods should be validated to include consideration of characteristics included within the
ICH guidelines on validation of analytical methods. The degree of analytical validation
performed should reflect the purpose of the analysis and the stage of the API/FP production
process.
▪ Appropriate qualification of analytical equipment should be considered before starting
validation of analytical methods.
▪ Complete records should be maintained of any modification of a validated analytical
method. Such records should include the reason for the modification and appropriate data
to verify that the modification produces results that are as accurate and reliable as the
established method.
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16. COA
▪ Authentic Certificates of Analysis should be issued for each
batch of FP on request.
▪ Information on the name of the FP including where
appropriate its grade, the batch number, and the date of
release should be provided on the Certificate of Analysis.
▪ The expiry date should be provided on the label and
Certificate of Analysis.
▪ The Certificate should list each test performed in
accordance with compendial or customer requirements,
including the acceptance limits, and the numerical results
obtained (if test results are numerical).
▪ Certificates should be dated and signed by authorized
personnel of the quality unit(s) and should show the
name, address and telephone number of the original
manufacturer.
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17. Stability Monitoring of APIs
▪ A documented, on-going testing program should be designed
to monitor the stability characteristics of FP, and the results
should be used to confirm appropriate storage conditions
and expiry dates.
▪ The test procedures used in stability testing should be
validated and be stability indicating.
▪ Stability samples should be stored in containers that
simulate the market container.
▪ Stability samples can be packaged in bags of the same
material and in smaller-scale drums of similar or identical
material composition to the market packing mode.
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18. Stability Monitoring
▪ Normally the first three commercial production batches should be placed
on the stability monitoring program to confirm the expiry / shelf life
date.
▪ Thereafter, at least one batch per year of FP manufactured (unless none
is produced that year) should be added to the stability monitoring
program and tested at least annually to confirm the stability (annual
addition batch for stability).
▪ For FP with short shelf-lives, testing should be done more frequently.
For example, for those biotechnological/biologic and other APIs with
shelf-lives of one year or less, stability samples should be obtained and
should be tested monthly for the first three months, and at three month
intervals.
▪ Where appropriate, the stability storage conditions should be consistent
with the ICH guidelines on stability.
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19. Expiry / shelf life
▪ FP expiry or shelf life should be based on an evaluation of
data derived from stability studies. Common practice is to
use a expiry date.
▪ FP expiry date can be based on pilot scale batches if (1) the
pilot batches employ a method of manufacture and
procedure that simulates the final process to be used on a
commercial manufacturing scale; and (2) the quality of the
FP represents the material to be made on a commercial
scale.
▪ A representative sample should be taken for the purpose of
performing a expiry.
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20. Reserve/ Retention Samples
▪ The packaging and holding of reserve samples is for the
purpose of potential future evaluation of the quality of
batches of FP and not for future stability testing purposes.
▪ Appropriately identified reserve samples of each FP batch
should be retained for one year after the expiry date.
▪ The reserve sample should be stored in the same packaging
system in which the FP is stored or in one that is equivalent
to or more protective than the marketed packaging system.
▪ Sufficient quantities should be retained to conduct at least
two full compendial analyses or, when there is no
pharmacopoeial monograph, two full specification analyses.
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21. Reserve/ Retention Samples
▪ A sample of a fully packaged unit from a batch of finished
product. It is stored for identification purposes.
▪ For example, presentation, packaging, labelling, patient
information leaflet, batch number, expiry date should the
need arise during the shelf life of the batch concerned.
▪ For finished products, in many instances the reference and
retention samples will be presented identically, i.e. as fully
packaged units. In such circumstances, reference and
retention samples may be regarded as interchangeable.
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22. Reserve/ Retention Samples
• It is necessary for the manufacturer, importer or site of batch
release, as specified retention samples from each batch of
finished product.
• Availability of printed materials as part of the reference
and/or retention sample of the finished product can be
accepted.
• The retention samples serve as a record of the batch of
finished product and can be assessed in the event of, for
example, a dosage form quality complaint, a query relating
to compliance with the marketing authorization, a
labelling/packaging query or a pharmacovigilance report.
• Records of traceability of samples should be maintained and
be available for review by competent authorities.
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23. Good Laboratory Practices
▪ Laboratory instrument should not be routinely moved between high risk
areas to avoid accidental cross-contamination.
▪ The use of outside laboratories, in conformity with the principles of GLP.
Contract Analysis, can be accepted for particular reasons, but this should be
stated in the Quality Control records.
▪ Proper labelling for samples, instruments, standards and chemicals etc.
▪ On date calibrations shall be performed.
▪ Cleaning glass ware should be followed according to SOP.
▪ On time recording shall be performed during analysis.
▪ Hand writings should be legible and clear.
▪ On time Log books should be updated.
▪ If discrepancy happened deviation/ incident/OOS/OOT shall be raised.
▪ Proper sequence as per SOP and testing method
▪ Verification of vials / glassware condition.
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24. Documentation
An important part of this documentation deals with Quality Control and the
following details should be readily available to the Quality Control Department:
▪ Specifications;
▪ Procedures describing sampling, testing, records (including test worksheets
and/or laboratory notebooks), recording and verifying;
▪ Procedures for and records of the calibration/qualification of instruments
and maintenance of equipment;
▪ A procedure for the investigation of Out of Specification and Out Of Trend
results;
▪ Testing reports and/or certificates of analysis;
▪ Data from environmental (air, water and other utilities) monitoring, where
required;
▪ Validation records of test methods, where applicable.
▪ If any change related spec/ method/document etc. change control to be
raised.
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25. Documentation
▪ Some kinds of data (e.g. tests results, yields, environmental controls)
should be recorded in a manner permitting trend evaluation.
▪ Any out of trend or out of specification data should be addressed and
subject to investigation.
▪ In addition to the information which is part of the batch documentation,
other raw data such as laboratory notebooks, calibration data and/or
records should be retained and readily available.
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