When submitting an ANDA for a generic drug, one of the critical aspects is ensuring the product’s stability. The drug’s stability is a key factor in maintaining its safety, efficacy, and quality over its intended shelf life. Here are some key considerations:
Long-term Stability: The generic drug product should retain its potency and quality for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 months, under recommended storage conditions.
Accelerated Stability: This testing involves subjecting the drug product to higher temperatures, helping predict its shelf life in a shorter time frame. It also aids in identifying potential degradation pathways.
Storage Conditions: The stability assessment involves testing the drug product under specific temperature and humidity conditions to simulate real-world storage environments. Common conditions include room temperature, refrigeration, and, in some cases, freezing.
Container Closure System: It’s essential to assess the drug product’s compatibility with the chosen packaging materials and ensure the container closure system adequately protects it from environmental factors that could affect stability.
Testing Frequency: Samples are tested at various time points during the stability study to monitor any changes in drug potency, impurities, or physical attributes.
Testing Parameters: Specific analytical methods are employed to measure drug content, degradation products, and other relevant parameters to assess the drug product’s stability.
These stability requirements are set by regulatory authorities like the FDA and vary depending on the drug product and its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Companies need to conduct comprehensive stability studies and include the data in their ANDA submission to demonstrate the product’s stability throughout its intended shelf life.
Read also: Drug Product Quality Tests and Performance Tests for Oral Dosage Form
Resource Person: Amit Singh (Regulatory Affairs Expert)