FDA

Drug Development and Approval Process | Part III
When studying a new drug, it can sometimes take many years to learn whether a drug actually provides a real effect on how a patient survives, feels, or functions. A positive therapeutic effect that is clinically meaningful in the context of a given disease is known as clinical benefit. Mindful ... Read More

Drug Development and Approval Process | Part II
FDA Approval: What It Means FDA approval of a drug means that data on the drug’s effects have been reviewed by CDER, and the drug is determined to provide benefits that outweigh its known and potential risks for the intended population. The drug approval process takes place within a structured ... Read More

Drug Development and Approval Process | Part I
Developing New Drugs American consumers benefit from having access to the safest and most advanced pharmaceutical system in the world. The main consumer watchdog in this system is FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Drug companies seeking to sell a drug in the United States must first test ... Read More

FDA Inspection and Findings on Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP)
The FDA conducted an inspection of a manufacturing facility located in the US and found significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations. The violations identified include the following: The FDA requested the following actions in response to the identified violations: Recommendation: The firm should consideration of engaging a ... Read More

FDA Compliance Guide on Pre-approval Inspections (PAI) for Drugs
Pre-Approval Inspections (PAIs) are one of several significant milestones with an outsized impact on product approval and market entrance in FDA regulated industries. While organizations that have successfully navigated product development before often ingrain PAI readiness into their processes, companies of all sizes routinely need to devote time and energy ... Read More

FDA Findings and Remedies on cGMP Violations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently inspected a US drug manufacturing facility and identified several significant cGMP violations, resulting in a Warning Letter (#649198). The violations include: Here are five remediation actions that the company should take: Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures: Investigations and Deviations: Production and Process Control ... Read More

Subpart of 21 CFR Part 211
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is a codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. FDA 21 CFR Part 211 covers the areas for finished drug products, such as labeling, production processes, equipment management and ... Read More

Inadequate Investigations: A Common Observation by the FDA
During cGMP inspections, one of the most commonly cited observations by the FDA is the inadequate investigation into deviations. Pharmaceutical companies must address this issue to maintain compliance and ensure patient safety. Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding deviation investigations in the pharmaceutical industry: Observation Highlight ... Read More

Walking Through the 21 CFR Part 11
If you are connected to the life sciences industry in one way or another, you have undoubtedly heard of the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) 21 Part 11 Regulation. We begin by decoding 21 CFR Part 11 itself: The CFR is organized like this: Title > Chapter > ... Read More

Vendor Qualification Under FDA and ICH Regulations
FDA, Guidelines, ICH
All contract service organizations and vendors who supply the cGMP facility with critical supplies, reagents, and equipment must be qualified. This helps to ensure all products have been manufactured in a way that prevents the introduction of adventitious agents or toxic impurities and ensures final product safety, effectiveness, and consistency. ... Read More