Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.
Contact name: Policy Bureau Enquiries
December 3, 2009
Our file number: 09-131213-24
Release of the Final Guidance Document: Human-Use Antiseptic Drugs
The final version of this Health Canada guidance document Human-Use Antiseptic Drugs is now available. Comments and suggestions received from the consultation on the draft version of the guidance were reviewed and considered in the finalization of this document, and are available upon request.
This guidance applies to antiseptic skin products for human use and is applicable to both pharmaceuticals (both Division 1 and Division 8) and natural health products, falling outside the scope of the Category IV Antiseptic Skin Cleanser Monograph for personal domestic use products. Specifically, it covers professional and commercial use antiseptic skin products, as well as non-Monograph personal use products such as those making viral, specific organisms, persistence and/or log reduction claims.
The guidance outlines the categories of antiseptic products, the submission filing process, and the basic documentation required to support product efficacy. It also provides information on test organisms and detailed data requirements necessary to support specific claims and enhanced labelling.
Of particular note, the in vivo test methods (e.g. "Meets EN 1500") may now be reflected on the label in cases where the data requirements outlined in the guidance have been met. It is Health Canada's expectation that professional use products would seek this new enhanced labelling. Health Canada will be communicating the updated expectations and labelling to healthcare practitioners and food handlers. In addition, the Drug Product Database and the Licensed Natural Health Products Database will now reflect which products have been authorized for professional, commercial and/or personal use. Products authorized for use in professional food premises are listed on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Web site.
Manufacturers of authorized products intending to upgrade to the enhanced labelling outlined in this guidance should file according to the relevant sections of the Post-DIN Changes guidance document or the Post Licensing Guidance Document guidance document as appropriate.
The guidance will become effective upon posting on Health Canada's website. In the interim, Health Canada will accept submissions compliant with this guidance from any manufacturers wishing to pursue the indications and/or enhanced labelling.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the content of the guidance, please contact:
Bureau of Gastroenterology, Infection and Viral Diseases
Therapeutic Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Finance Building Address Locator 0202D1
101 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Fax: (613) 941-1183
E-Mail: BGIVD_Enquiries@hc-sc.gc.ca
Published by authority of the
Minister of Health
Adopted Date: 2009/10/21
Effective Date: 2009/11/27
Guidance documents are meant to provide assistance to industry and health care professionals on how to comply with governing statutes and regulations. Guidance documents also provide assistance to staff on how Health Canada mandates and objectives should be implemented in a manner that is fair, consistent and effective.
Guidance documents are administrative instruments not having force of law and, as such, allow for flexibility in approach. Alternate approaches to the principles and practices described in this document may be acceptable provided they are supported by adequate justification. Alternate approaches should be discussed in advance with the relevant program area to avoid the possible finding that applicable statutory or regulatory requirements have not been met.
As a corollary to the above, it is equally important to note that Health Canada reserves the right to request information or material, or define conditions not specifically described in this document, in order to allow the Department to adequately assess the safety, efficacy or quality of a therapeutic product. Health Canada is committed to ensuring that such requests are justifiable and that decisions are clearly documented.
This document should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notice and the relevant sections of other applicable guidance documents.
As per the Food and Drugs Act, any substance that is manufactured, sold or represented for use in the "mitigation or prevention of disease" is a drug. Section 9(1) of the Act also specifies that a drug must not be labelled "…in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression…"
An antiseptic product is considered to be one that inactivates, reduces, prevents or arrests growth of microorganisms with the inherent intent to mitigate or prevent disease. This includes antiseptic products whether they are regulated under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) or the Natural Health Products Regulations (NHPR). This guidance document provides recommendations regarding the information considered necessary by Health Canada in order to support these types of claims.
Pursuant to Section 9(1) of the Act, it is Health Canada's policy that an application for an antiseptic product explicitly or implicitly claiming that the product mitigates or prevents disease be adequately supported by appropriate data. The supporting data may vary relative to the risk associated with the antiseptic product's environment for use and its specific claims.
Sufficient information to support the labelled claim of an antiseptic product for human use should be made available to Health Canada.
This information should include evidence of positive supportive results of in vivo and in vitro testing conducted in accordance with acceptable test methods, and for in vivo studies, under the conditions of use prescribed on the label.
This guidance applies to antiseptic skin products for human use that are intended for use in professional and commercial settings. The guidance is applicable to pharmaceutical antiseptic products (both Division 1 and Division 8) as well as to natural health antiseptic products. The guidance does not provide data recommendations to support personal domestic use products, except when such products make claims of efficacy against specific organisms, persistence, log reduction or % reduction and/or antiviral claims.
The guidance does not apply to human-use antiseptic products for burn victims, first aid, or application to sites other than the skin (for example (e.g.) mucous membranes, catheter insertion, etc.). Applicants seeking authorization for such products should request a presubmission meeting to discuss appropriate supporting data. Further, the guidance does not apply to hard surface disinfectants (see Health Canada's Guidance Document: Disinfectant Drugs for more information).
The guidance will outline the categories of antiseptic products, the filing process for antiseptic submissions, the basic documentation required to support the efficacy for all categories of antiseptic products covered in the guidance, and the additional detailed data recommendations for specific claims.
For the purpose of this guidance, microorganisms are defined as bacteria, yeast, fungi, and viruses. Helminths and protozoan parasites are recognized to be organisms of concern for professional use products. Representation that a product reduces parasites will be reviewed on a case by case basis outside of this guidance document and sponsors are encouraged to seek a presubmission meeting to discuss the data recommended to support the application.
Sponsors of antiseptic products for human use containing ingredients that meet the definition of Schedule 1 of the NHPR are required to submit an application for a Natural Product Number (NPN) with the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) as per Section 5 of the NHPR. Sponsors of antiseptic products for human use containing ingredients other than those that meet the definition of Schedule 1 of the NHPR are required to file an application for a Drug Identification Number (DIN) with the Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) as per Part C, Section C.01.014 of the FDR.
A drug is defined in part by the Act as "…any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in… mitigation or prevention of a disease." Furthermore, Section 9(1) of the Act states:
No person shall label, package, treat, process, sell or advertise any drug in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.
A labelled claim may be implicit or explicit with respect to mitigating or preventing disease. For example, a claim stated as "prevents the spread of disease X" would be considered explicit. If the claim were stated as "kills organism Y" and organism Y is known to cause disease X then this claim would be considered as implying "prevents the spread of disease X". Therefore, Health Canada has the responsibility to confirm the validity of such claims either through the evaluation of supportive scientific evidence or by confirming conformance to a prescribed and acceptable standard. A standard has been developed for certain personal domestic use antiseptics in the form of the joint TPD-NHPD Category IV Monograph for Antiseptic Skin Cleansers.
However, the lack of guidance for other types of antiseptic products has resulted in a number of undesirable effects and consequences, impacting Health Canada's ability to regulate antiseptic products appropriately. These include:
It was recognized that Health Canada requires an appropriate tool to effectively manage drug submission applications for antiseptic products.
This section describes the:
The categories of human-use antiseptic products for application on the skin are defined by the intended user and the proposed conditions of use. Such products would be considered drugs under the Act if represented for the reduction and/or inactivation of microorganisms on human skin as this implies its use for the prevention of disease or the prevention of disease transmission. Antiseptic products can include both those to be used with water (referred to as washes) or without water (referred to as rubs), and may be presented in different pharmaceutical forms. Antiseptic skin products also include preoperative skin preparations.
Products may be indicated for multiple use categories, provided that each has sufficient data to support the indication, each indication has been authorized by Health Canada, and the product labels contain appropriate information for each use. The statement identifying the environment of use (e.g. For Food Premise Use) may be amended to incorporate all authorized indications.
Below is a list of the categories recognized by Health Canada. Each category is further defined in the appropriate subsection of this guidance document.
Personal domestic (or household) use products are those used by an individual in a domestic setting to reduce transient organisms on the skin.
A joint TPD-NHPD Category IV Monograph for Antiseptic Skin Cleansers is available for products self-selected by a consumer from a retail outlet for their own personal household use as part of a daily skin cleansing routine. These types of products are intended to provide a superficial and non-persistent cleaning effect to reduce domestic transient bacterial and fungal load on hands. Consumers are encouraged to use plain soap and water with vigorous scrubbing of the entire surface of both hands, followed by proper rinsing and drying, as their first option in order to cleanse soiled hands adequately. Antiseptic skin cleansers should be recommended for use on lightly soiled hands only as a second-line approach or when soap and water are not available. The medicinal (active) ingredients and their concentrations, indications, and adequate directions for use (including directions, dosage, and warnings) are restricted to those specified in the Monograph.
The Monograph outlines active ingredients and their concentrations generally recognized as safe and effective in the reduction of transient organisms. The sponsor is required to have the data on file which supports that the finished product is effective when considering the permitted Monograph claims and required directions for use. Products which meet the Monograph specifications are excluded from this guidance, and should be filed with NHPD or TPD in keeping with the Monograph process. This guidance does not apply to products complying with the Monograph unless a change in indication is made by the sponsor after authorization has been received under the Monograph system.
The Monograph does not apply to:
Products in this category include any personal-use antiseptic product not captured in the above Monograph. This includes, but may not be limited to, consumer-use first aid antiseptic for application in cleansing minor wounds or self-administered pre-injection preparatory cleanser (e.g. for ear piercing or insulin injections). Products which make such claims are considered outside the scope of this guidance, although some of the same basic principles may apply. A drug application (for pharmaceuticals) or non-traditional NPN application (for natural health products) should be filed with the appropriate supporting data to Health Canada.
Personal commercial use products are those made available to the general public for occasional use and are intended to reduce transient organisms on the skin in a commercial or institutional setting.
Products for professional food premises are those which are indicated for use by food handlers to reduce transient organisms on the skin in a commercial or institutional setting including food processing plants and also includes restaurants, retail supermarkets, and fast food outlets.
Products for professional healthcare use are those which are indicated for use by individuals to reduce transient and/or resident organisms on the skin in a healthcare setting (such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dental offices). Such products are to be used in accordance with applicable hospital protocols.
Professional healthcare use antiseptics can be broken down as follows:
Instructions on the data recommendations to support applications for antiseptic products are detailed below in the following Sections. Antiseptic products using drugs from a natural source which meet the definition of Schedule 1 of the NHPR are required to submit an application for a Natural Product Number (NPN) to NHPD as per Section 5 of the NHPR. Antiseptic NPN applications are to be submitted to the non-traditional assessment stream in accordance with NHPD's Product Licensing Guidance Document. All other applications should be filed with the Therapeutic Products Directorate. Please note that C.08.001 of the FDR may apply to drug applications when introducing new ingredients, new indications, etc.
Information regarding general submission requirements, contact information, and target performance standards may be found in the Health Canada guidance documents: Guidance for Industry: Management of Drug Submissions for pharmaceuticals and Product Licensing Guidance Document for natural health products.
This guidance document should be read in conjunction with other associated Health Canada policies and guidance documents including, but not limited to:
The listing of ingredients, data recommendations, and methods in this guidance document is not considered to be exhaustive. Sponsors are advised to contact Health Canada, in writing, if the sponsor wishes to discuss product and/or claim-specific data recommendations, or for applications for products outside the scope of the guidance. Verbal enquiries should be followed-up in writing by the sponsor.
This section outlines the basic data recommended to support all antiseptic product submissions covered in this guidance, including:
The following should be included for each drug submission to support efficacy claims and product safety (for any non-Monograph submission):
Additional supporting data may be required to support the quality of the finished antiseptic product. The recommended quality data depends on the classification of the proposed product as either a drug or natural health product. Health Canada encourages applicants to verify the quality recommendations with the appropriate Directorate prior to submitting an application.
For products that are intended to be used in professional food premises, a duplicate copy of the full submission with the following information should be included:
During the review sponsors may also be asked to provide the following additional information, pending assessment by the Food Directorate (FD):
The guidance is based on standard European (CEN) and North American (ASTM) test methods and represents current scientific knowledge. The EN and ASTM norms were selected as the basis for the data recommendations because these were deemed to:
Each standard test method specifies the recommendations and criteria the product must comply with in order to support the claims of the specific microbiocidal activity, with the purpose of:
Claims for antiseptic products include statements of efficacy, persistence, organism-specificity, and category of product (e.g. professional use, commercial use, etc.) Each claim must be supported by evidence in the form of specific tests that have been carried out to demonstrate the efficacy of the product. As test results may be formulation-dependent, it cannot be assumed that the presence of an active ingredient confers equal efficacy across a range of products.
It is recommended that a modular approach be taken to first test the formulation in vitro, then proceed to in vivo testing if the in vitro testing is successful. It is not generally considered acceptable to label a product for effectiveness against certain microorganisms based only on in vitro studies as there is not usually a correlation between data generated in vitro and effectiveness observed in vivo. In vitro studies are usually considered only secondary supportive evidence.
For personal domestic and commercial use products, only in vivo data need be submitted for assessment except where otherwise specified for fungal and viral testing (see specifics under Common Information for Antiseptic Applications). Ultimately in vivo studies should be provided as the primary evidence for claims. For professional use products, both in vitro and in vivo tests are required to demonstrate efficacy against a broader range of organisms, however the in vivo tests will be limited to representative organisms only.
Please note that Phase I test methods have not been included in the guidance. Such data may be submitted with an application; however it is only considered secondary supporting evidence and is not sufficient on its own to support a therapeutic indication.
Step 1: In vitro testing
Step 2: In vivo testing on volunteers
Note that the most recent validated test method must be used in case of an update.Footnote 8 Alternate test methodologies may also be considered acceptable for an antiseptic product submission application, provided that they are scientifically justified and appropriately validated. The use of alternate approaches should be discussed in advance with Health Canada to ensure that the proposed methodology will generate the required data. In such a case, a presubmission meeting is highly recommended.
The test organisms recommended for personal domestic and commercial use products are based on the selected test methods. The test organisms recommended for professional use food premise and healthcare products were selected because these were determined to be common organisms of concern in these environments, including those that are recognized to contribute to nosocomial infections. Surgical use products - including patient preoperative skin preparations - are not required to demonstrate efficacy against mycobacteria and viruses as currently only bacteria and fungi are recognized as frequent causative agents of surgical site infections.
The general recommendations for labelling of drug products are outlined in the Food and Drugs Act as well as the Food and Drug Regulations and Natural Health Products Regulations.
Labels which include the authorized claims should also describe the intended area of application and specific attributes of the product, such as: bactericidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal or virucidal. The label should also clearly reflect the same conditions of use employed in the tests used to demonstrate efficacy (e.g. directions for use, warnings, etc.).
Products may carry more than one indication or claim, as long as each has been authorized by Health Canada. In such an instance, the label must include the full warnings and adequate directions for use for each indication, should these differ.
If surrogates were used in testing this should be stated on the labels (e.g. "murine norovirus used as a surrogate for human norovirus") in order to ensure transparency and clarity for the end user.
Note: dispensing units are also considered labels when they contain a drug product, and should be labelled in accordance with regulatory requirements.
See category-specific sections for detailed labelling recommendations.
Personal use products are those self-selected for use by an individual in a domestic setting. The majority of personal use products are subject to the Antiseptic Skin Cleanser Monograph. This Human-Use Antiseptic Drugs guidance document applies only to those personal use products which do not meet the scope of the Monograph. All personal use products are expected to demonstrate efficacy against bacteria and fungi at a minimum (whether through the Monograph stream or outside), but such data is maintained on file with the sponsor unless additional claims are made (e.g. log reduction) or the product contains a new active ingredient or new combination of active ingredients. Claims for mycobacteria and/or viruses are considered to require additional supporting data.
For personal domestic use products, only in vivo data need be submitted for assessment except where otherwise specified for fungal and viral testing (see specifics under Common Information for Antiseptic Applications).
| ClaimTable 1 footnote * | In vitro Test | Minimum Acceptable Log Reduction |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 1 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 1 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 1 footnotes
| ||||||
| Antimycobacterial | Mycobacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Antiviral/Kills viruses | Viruses Table 1 footnote a | EN 14476 | E 1052 | 4 | Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 |
| Adenovirus (Human Type 2) | VR-2 | |||||
| Herpes simplex Type I | VR-733 | |||||
| Log or % Reduction | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Mycobacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses Table 1 footnote a | EN 14476 | E 1052 | 4 | Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 | |
| Adenovirus (Human Type 2) | VR-2 | |||||
| Herpes simplex Type I | VR-733 | |||||
| New active ingredient/new combination of active ingredientsTable 1 footnote b | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Fungi | EN 13624 | N/A | 4 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Organism SpecificTable 1 footnote c | Bacteria | Same as for Log Reduction claims | Organisms highlighted on labelling: see 5.2.3. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses Table 1 footnote a | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 1 footnote d | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| ClaimTable 1 footnote * | In vivo Test | Minimum Acceptable Log ReductionTable 1 footnote † | Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 1 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 1 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 2 footnotes
| ||||||
| Antimycobacterial | Mycobacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Antiviral/Kills viruses | Viruses Table 1 footnote a | Not applicable | E 2011 | 2 | Human Rotavirus Wa | VR-201 8 |
| Rhinovirus Type 37 or 14 | VR-I 147 or VR-284 | |||||
| Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |||||
| Murine norovirusTable 1 footnote a | ||||||
| Adenovirus (Human Type 5) | VR-1516 | |||||
| Log or % Reduction | Bacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Serratia marcesens | ATCC 14756 |
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus. epidermidis | ATCC 14990 | |||||
| Mycobacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 | |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses Table 1 footnote b | Not applicable | E 2011 | 2 | Human Rotavirus Wa | VR-201 8 | |
| Rhinovirus Type 37 or 14 | VR-I 147 or VR-284 | |||||
| Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |||||
| Murine norovirusTable 1 footnote a | ||||||
| Adenovirus (Human Type 5) | VR-1516 | |||||
| New active ingredient/new combination of active ingredientsTable 1 footnote c | Bacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Serratia marcesens | ATCC 14756 |
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus. epidermidis | ATCC 14990 | |||||
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Organism SpecificTable 1 footnote d | Bacteria | Same as for Log Reduction claims | Organisms highlighted on labelling: see 6.2.3. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses Table 1 footnote b | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 1 footnote e | Bacteria | EN 12791 | E 1115 | CEN: Not significantly worse than the reference product ASTM: 2 |
Test performed against volunteer's resident organisms | |
The following organisms are recognized as potentially appropriate to be labelled on personal use products, and this list is intended as a reference only for the ATCC/NCTC codes only. The presence in this table does not convey automatic acceptance of the suitability of a highlighted organism for any given product. A rationale and supporting clinical data for highlighting a specific organism is required.
| Type | Organism | Code |
|---|---|---|
|
Table 1 footnotes
| ||
| Bacteria | Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538/ATCC 29213 |
| Enterococcus faecium | ATCC 6057 | |
| Enterococcus hirae | ATCC 10541 | |
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |
| Proteus mirabilis | ATCC 14153 | |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | ATCC 15442/ATCC 27583 | |
| Fungi/Yeast | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |
| Mycobacteria | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |
| VirusesTable 1 footnote a | Hepatitis B virus - surrogate Duck Hepatitis B virus (DHBV) | VR-1402 |
| Hepatitis A virus | ||
| Hepatitis C virus - surrogate Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) | ||
| Herpes simplex virus type 1 | ||
| Herpes simplex virus type 2 | ||
| Human adenovirus type 4 | ||
| Norovirus - surrogate Murine Norovirus (MNV) Table 1 footnote b | ||
| Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 | |
| Respiratory syncytial virus | ||
| Rotavirus | ||
| Rhinovirus | ||
| Papovavirus SV 40 | ||
| Influenza A virus | ||
| Influenza B virus | ||
If it has been successfully determined that the proposed formulation is effective against an organism using the recommended test methods, that organism may be named on the labels. A generalized claim that a product is bactericidal/fungicidal/virucidal etc. (or likewise "antibacterial…") cannot be determined by one organism alone nor can this representative class be considered authorization to highlight any other untested or specific organism.
Health Canada reserves the right to determine when an organism-specific claim would likely result in the product being used for professional purposes, for example when claiming for organisms identified to be of high risk in healthcare settings (e.g. severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), H1N1, etc). In such instances, the sponsor will be expected to meet the recommendations for professional use products. Sponsors are encouraged to verify the applicability of organism-specific claims for personal use products prior to testing and/or submitting an application."
Personal domestic use products claiming log or % reduction values (e.g. kills 99.9% of bacteria) are required to submit data to support the claim for the specific formulation and using the recommended test methods. General log reduction claims need only demonstrate efficacy against bacteria and fungi unless claims are also made against mycobacteria and/or viruses.
Persistence is defined as a claim that the product will deliver a longer action than only the immediate reduction of microorganisms on hands (see Definitions). Persistence claims for personal use products can only be made relative to bacteria. Should a sponsor wish to make persistence claims against other organisms, a presubmission meeting with a strong supporting scientific rationale outlining an appropriate test method would be necessary.
Antiseptic products are expected to have a minimum time-to-effect of 30 seconds (for waterless handrubs) to 1 minute (for washes or scrubs using water) upon completion of application according to the proposed directions for use. As this is considered the norm for antiseptics, a claim that a product is fast-acting would have to demonstrate both a significantly shorter time-to-effect and still maintain clinical relevance, and should use the test methods outlined for log reduction testing (organisms dependent on indications, with bacteria/fungi as a minimum).
Any pharmaceutical product claiming sterility of any component of an antiseptic product must also undergo a chemistry and manufacturing review. Sponsors are recommended to consult the Health Canada guidance document on supporting data requirements for sterility claims: Stability Testing of Existing Drug Substances and Products and Quality Guidance: Applications for Drug Identification Numbers (DINAs) for Pharmaceuticals.
A product license application for a non-traditional natural health antiseptic product includes a chemistry and manufacturing review portion for all products, including those claiming sterility.
Labelling for personal/domestic use products is restricted to that permitted in the Antiseptic Skin Cleanser Monograph, except where data has been reviewed resulting in Health Canada authorization of altered or additional claims.
Personal commercial use products are those made available to the general public for occasional use and are intended to reduce transient organisms on the skin in a commercial or institutional setting. This includes, but may not be limited to, antiseptic products dispensed in washrooms in public buildings (such as daycares and schools) or used in workplaces other than healthcare or food-handling premises These products are commonly used to reduce transient organisms on hands, including those organisms that may not necessarily be encountered in a domestic setting. They are intended to provide a superficial and non-persistent cleaning effect to reduce microbial load on hands to either augment the effect of soap and water cleaning or for use when soap and water are not available.
Personal commercial use products do not include those intended to be used by professionals or in healthcare facilities and food processing plants.
Personal commercial products making general statements such as those outlined in the Monograph for Antiseptic Skin Cleansers are not considered Monograph applications as the directions for use are inappropriate; however, they may be filed as a DINA (form) for pharmaceuticals or as a non-compendial application for natural health products. No additional supporting clinical data need be filed if the claims, ingredients, and concentrations are the same as those found in the Monograph for Antiseptic Skin Cleansers.
All personal use products are expected to demonstrate efficacy against bacteria and fungi at a minimum (whether through the Monograph stream or outside) but such data is maintained on file with the sponsor unless additional claims are made (e.g. log reduction) or the product contains a new active ingredient or new combination of active ingredients. Claims for mycobacteria and/or viruses are considered to require additional supporting data.
This guidance outlines the data recommendations for supporting an application for personal commercial use wherein claims are made against a specific organism, antiviral claims, or those relating to persistence, sterility, and/or % or log-reduction.
For personal commercial use products, only in vivo data need be submitted for assessment except where otherwise specified for fungal and viral testing.
| ClaimTable 3 footnote * | In vitro Test | Minimum Acceptable Log Reduction |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 3 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 3 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 4 footnotes
| ||||||
| Antimycobacterial | Mycobacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Antiviral/Kills viruses | Viruses Table 3 footnote a | EN 14476 | E 1052 | 4 | Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 |
| Adenovirus (Human Type 2) | VR-2 | |||||
| Herpes simplex Type I | VR-733 | |||||
| Log and % Reduction | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Mycobacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses Table 3 footnote a | EN 14476 | E 1052 | 4 | Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 | |
| Adenovirus (Human Type 2) | VR-2 | |||||
| Herpes simplex Type I | VR-733 | |||||
| New active ingredient/new combination of active ingredientsTable 3 footnote b | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Organism SpecificTable 3 footnote c | Bacteria | Same as for Log Reduction claims | Organisms highlighted on labelling: see 6.2.3. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses Table 3 footnote a | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 3 footnote d | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| ClaimTable 5 footnote * | In vivo Test | Minimum Acceptable Log ReductionTable 5 footnote † |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 5 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 5 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 5 footnotes
| ||||||
| Antimycobacterial | Mycobacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Antiviral/Kills viruses | Viruses Table 5 footnote a | Not applicable | E 2011 | 2 | Human Rotavirus Wa | VR-201 8 |
| Rhinovirus Type 37 or 14 | VR-I 147 or VR-284 | |||||
| Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |||||
| Murine norovirusTable 5 footnote a | ||||||
| Adenovirus (Human Type 5) | VR-1516 | |||||
| Log and % Reduction | Bacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Serratia marcesens | ATCC 14756 |
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus. epidermidis | ATCC 14990 | |||||
| Mycobacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 | |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses Table 5 footnote b | Not applicable | E 2011 | 2 | Human Rotavirus Wa | VR-201 8 | |
| Rhinovirus Type 37 or 14 | VR-I 147 or VR-284 | |||||
| Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |||||
| Murine norovirusTable 5 footnote a | ||||||
| Adenovirus (Human Type 5) | VR-1516 | |||||
| New active ingredient/new combination of active ingredientsTable 5 footnote c | Bacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 2276 | 2 | Serratia marcesens | ATCC 14756 |
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538 | |||||
| Staphylococcus. epidermidis | ATCC 14990 | |||||
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Organism SpecificTable 5 footnote c | Bacteria/ Mycobacteria |
Same as for Log Reduction claims | Organisms highlighted on labelling: see 7.2.3. | |||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses Table 5 footnote b | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 5 footnote d | Bacteria | EN 12791 | E 1115 | CEN: Not significantly worse than the reference product ASTM: 2 |
Test performed against volunteer's resident organisms | |
The following organisms are recognized as potentially appropriate to be labelled on personal use products, and this list is intended as a reference only for the ATCC/NCTC codes only. The presence in this table does not convey automatic acceptance of the suitability of a highlighted organism for any given product. A rationale and supporting clinical data for highlighting a specific organism is required.
| Type | Organism | Code |
|---|---|---|
|
Table 6 footnotes
| ||
| Bacteria | Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538/ATCC 29213 |
| Enterococcus faeciu | ATCC 6057 | |
| Enterococcus hirae | ATCC 10541 | |
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |
| Proteus mirabilis | ATCC 14153 | |
| Pseudomonas aeruginos | ATCC 15442/ATCC 27583 | |
| Fungi/Yeast | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |
| Mycobacteria | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |
| VirusesTable 6 footnote a | Hepatitis B virus - surrogate Duck Hepatitis B virus (DHBV) | VR-1402 |
| Hepatitis A virus | ||
| Hepatitis C virus - surrogate Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) | ||
| Herpes simplex virus type 1 | ||
| Herpes simplex virus type 2 | ||
| Human adenovirus type 4 | ||
| Norovirus - surrogate Murine Norovirus (MNV)Table 6 footnote b | ||
| Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 | |
| Respiratory syncytial virus | ||
| Rotavirus | ||
| Rhinovirus | ||
| Papovavirus SV 40 | ||
| Influenza A virus | ||
| Influenza B virus | ||
If it has been successfully determined that the proposed formulation is effective against an organism using the recommended test methods, that organism may be named on the labels. A generalized claim that a product is bactericidal/fungicidal/virucidal etc. (or likewise "antibacterial…") cannot be determined by one organism alone nor can this representative class be considered authorization to highlight any other untested or specific organism.
Health Canada reserves the right to determine when an organism-specific claim would likely result in the product being used for professional purposes, for example when claiming for organisms identified to be of high risk in healthcare settings (e.g. severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), H1N1, etc). In such instances, the sponsor will be expected to meet the recommendations for professional use products. Sponsors are encouraged to verify the applicability of organism-specific claims for personal use products prior to testing and/or submitting an application."
Personal use products claiming log reduction values (e.g. kills 99.9% of bacteria) are required to submit data to support the claim for the specific formulation and using the recommended test methods. General log reduction claims need only demonstrate efficacy against bacteria and fungi unless claims are also made against mycobacteria and/or viruses.
Persistence is defined as a claim that the product will deliver a longer action than only the immediate reduction of microorganisms on hands (see Definitions). Persistence claims for personal use products can only be made relative to bacteria. Should a sponsor wish to make persistence claims against other organisms, a presubmission meeting with a strong supporting scientific rationale outlining an appropriate test method would be necessary.
Antiseptic products are expected to have a minimum time-to-effect of 30 seconds (for waterless handrubs) to 1 minute (for washes or scrubs using water) upon completion of application according to the proposed directions for use. As this is considered the norm for antiseptics, a claim that a product is fast-acting would have to demonstrate both a significantly shorter time-to-effect and still maintain clinical relevance, and should use the test methods outlined for log reduction testing (organisms dependent on indications, with bacteria/fungi as a minimum).
Any pharmaceutical product claiming sterility of any component of an antiseptic product must also undergo a chemistry and manufacturing review. Sponsors are recommended to consult the Health Canada guidance document on supporting data requirements for sterility claims: Stability Testing of Existing Drug Substances and Products and Quality Guidance: Applications for Drug Identification Numbers (DINAs) for Pharmaceuticals.
A product license application for a non-traditional natural health antiseptic product includes a chemistry and manufacturing review portion for all products, including those claiming sterility.
All products intended for use in a commercial setting should be labelled "For commercial use" on the front panel of the inner and outer labels, and may only use an acceptable indication from the list outlined in the Monograph for Antiseptic Skin Cleansers unless data is submitted to support additional claims. Further, the inner and outer labels shall also carry the following warning statements and directions for use, clearly identified with appropriate headings:
a Where "XmL" is equivalent to the dose required to achieve effect, as measured in in vivo efficacy trials.
Products for professional food premises are those which are indicated for use by food handlers and are used frequently to reduce transient organisms on the skin in a commercial or institutional setting including food processing plants, restaurants, retail supermarkets, and fast food outlets. The intent of such products is to both protect food handlers as well as to reduce the likelihood of transmission of disease through food.
This guidance provides information regarding the data necessary for Health Canada to conduct a premarket evaluation prior to the authorization of these products for sale in Canada. A product indicated for use by food handlers should be safe and effective when applied (and frequently reapplied) to human skin. When applied to bare hands that will come into direct contact with food, the product's chemical composition is not to be detrimental or transfer residue to the food, when the product is used or stored in a food processing facility, where food is prepared, packed or stored. To this end, the FD will be consulted by NHPD or TPD to carry out the premarket safety assessment of an antiseptic product for use in food processing facilities.
There are additional considerations for federally-registered food establishments. The CFIA requires a further assessment of the acceptability for use in establishments operating under the authority of the Agency prior to marketing the product. FD and the CFIA require full disclosure of product's chemical composition listing its ingredients by percentage or quantitatively and a product label, with specific directions for use in a food plant. The premarket review directorates of Health Canada will be responsible for this assessment, and will inform FD and the CFIA of when a product has been authorized for use in food premises. Further information regarding the Reference Listing of Accepted Construction Materials, Packaging Materials, and Non-Food Chemical Products is available at the
CFIA Web site.
For professional use products, both in vitro and in vivo tests are required to demonstrate efficacy against a broader range of organisms, however the in vivo tests will be limited to representative organisms only unless a specific organism is highlighted. Products intended for use by food handlers should also demonstrate efficacy in the presence of organic soil such as food ingredients and fats, in order to adequately represent likely conditions of use. Additional consideration must be given to the proposed product formulation, as these must be appropriate for use in food premises. Given the acknowledged potential for spread of enteric viruses, products for use by food handlers should also demonstrate efficacy against viruses in addition to other microorganisms. All in vivo tests should demonstrate a minimum log reduction in microorganisms.
Products for use in professional food premises should also include the additional data for assessment outlined in Section 4.1.4.
Professional-use antiseptic hand rubs and hand washes for use in food premises should have supporting data demonstrating efficacy against all of the following organisms in using the recommended test methods.
| Claim | In vitro Test | Minimum Acceptable Log Reduction |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 7 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 7 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 7 footnotes
| ||||||
| Food Premise Use Table 7 footnote a |
Bacteria | EN 13727Table 7 footnote * | Not applicable | 5 | Campylobacter jejuni | |
| Enterococcus faecium | ATCC 6057 | |||||
| Enterococcus hirae | ATCC 10541 | |||||
| Escherichia coli | ATCC 11229 | |||||
| Escherichia coli O157:H7 | ||||||
| Listeria monocytogenes | ATCC 43256 | |||||
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | ATCC 15442 | |||||
| Salmonella spp | Typhimurium code ATCC 14025 | |||||
| Shigella spp | Sonnei code ATCC 25931 and Flexneri code ATCC12022 |
|||||
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538 | |||||
| Yersinia enterocolitica | ATCC 55075 | |||||
| Mycobacteria | EN 14348 | Not applicable | 5 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 | |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses | EN 14476 | E 1052 | 4 | Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |
| Murine Norovirus (MNV) Table 7 footnote b | ||||||
| Rotavirus | VR-2018 | |||||
| Log or % Reduction | Bacteria | Same as for Food Premise Use claim, and must meet the associated minimum log reduction value or better. | Same as for Food Premise Use claim | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| Organism SpecificTable 7 footnote c | Bacteria | Same as for Food Premise Use claim | Organisms highlighted on labelling | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 7 footnote d | Bacteria | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Claim | In vivo Test | Minimum Acceptable Log ReductionTable 7 footnote † |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 7 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 7 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 1 footnotes
| ||||||
| Food Premise Use Table 7 footnote a | Bacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 1174 | 3 | Serratia marcesens | ATCC 14756 |
| IF CEN: Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| IF ASTM: Escherichia coli |
ATCC 11229 | |||||
| Mycobacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 1174 | 3 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 | |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses | Not applicable | E 2011 | 2 | Human Rotavirus Wa | VR-201 8 | |
| Rhinovirus Type 37 or 14 | VR-I 147 or VR-284 | |||||
| Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |||||
| Murine norovirus Table 7 footnote b | ||||||
| Adenovirus (Human Type 5) | VR-1516 | |||||
| Log or % Reduction | Bacteria | Same as for Food Premise Use claim and must meet the associated minimum log reduction value or better. | Same as for Food Premise Use claim | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| Organism SpecificTable 7 footnote c | Bacteria | Same as for Food Premise Use claim | Organisms highlighted on labelling. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 7 footnote d | Bacteria | EN 12791 | E 1115 | CEN: Not significantly worse than the reference product ASTM: 3 |
Test performed against volunteer's resident organisms | |
Products claiming log reduction values (e.g. kills 99.9% of bacteria) are required to submit data to support the claim. Note that products for use in a professional food premise setting are required to have a minimum log reduction in vivo.
Persistence is defined as a claim that the product will deliver a longer action than only the immediate reduction of microorganisms on hands (see Definitions). Persistence claims can only be made relative to bacteria. Should a sponsor wish to make persistence claims against other organisms, a presubmission meeting with a strong supporting scientific rationale outlining an appropriate test method would be necessary.
Antiseptic products are expected to have a minimum time-to-effect of 30 seconds (for waterless handrubs) to 1 minute (for washes or scrubs using water) upon completion of application according to the proposed directions for use. As this is considered the norm for antiseptics, a claim that a product is fast-acting would have to demonstrate both a significantly shorter time-to-effect and still maintain clinical relevance.
Any pharmaceutical product claiming sterility of any component of an antiseptic product must also undergo a chemistry and manufacturing review. Sponsors are recommended to consult the Health Canada guidance document on supporting data requirements for sterility claims: Stability Testing of Existing Drug Substances and Products and Quality Guidance: Applications for Drug Identification Numbers (DINAs) for Pharmaceuticals.
A product license application for a non-traditional natural health antiseptic product includes a chemistry and manufacturing review portion for all products, including those claiming sterility.
All products authorized for use in a food premises/food handler setting should be labelled on the front panel of the inner and outer labels with the following indications:
If products were tested with the presence of organic soil, then labels may make such a representation.
Further, the inner and outer labels shall also carry the following warning statements and directions for use, clearly identified with appropriate headings:
a Where "XmL" is equivalent to the dose required to achieve effect, as measured in in vivo efficacy trials.
b This statement may be excluded if it is demonstrated that the product is not in a refillable container.
++ This statement may be removed if a parasite claim has been authorized by Health Canada for the product
Depending on the type of antiseptic product, one of two additional statements is necessary:
Note: It is not considered acceptable for products for use in food premises to claim "E1" or "E2" rating, as these are international disinfectant ratings not applicable to human use products nor adopted by Health Canada for disinfectants.
Products for professional healthcare use are those which are indicated for use by individuals to reduce transient and/or resident organisms on the skin in a healthcare setting (such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dental offices). Such products are to be used in accordance with applicable hospital protocols.
Healthcare settings typically exhibit a higher presence of transient and/or nosocomial organisms than domestic or other commercial institutions. As such there is an inherently higher safety risk to health if the product is not effective.
Professional healthcare use antiseptics can be broken down as follows:
Professional-use rubs and washes are to be used on the hands of healthcare personnel and clients with the intention to remove and/or inactivate transient microorganisms on the hands to prevent their transmission regardless of the resident skin flora.
Surgical scrubs are to be used on the hands of healthcare personnel prior to performing a surgical/invasive procedure. They are directed against the resident microorganisms on hands to prevent their transmission into the surgical wound. Surgical scrubs should have a persistent effect (minimum of 6 hours).
Fast-acting, broad spectrum products used on patients prior to a surgical procedure with the goal of significantly reducing/inactivating transient and resident organisms on skin to prevent their entry into the surgical site. Preoperative products, like surgical scrubs, should have a persistent effect (minimum of 6 hours).
For professional use products, both in vitro and in vivo tests are required to demonstrate efficacy against a broader range of organisms, however the in vivo tests will be limited to representative organisms only unless a specific organism (or an acceptable surrogate in the case of pathogenic organisms) is highlighted.
There are minimum efficacy recommendations for products intended for use in a healthcare setting given concerns with the increased prevalence of nosocomial microorganisms compared with a domestic or commercial setting. As a baseline requirement and to ensure a minimum level of efficacy, all professional-use antiseptic products should have supporting data demonstrating efficacy against all of the organisms outlined in the table below. Surgical scrubs and patient preoperative skin preparations must also demonstrate at least 6 hours of persistence.
Other specialty products for professional healthcare use which necessitate testing of additional organisms not included in this guidance may also be acceptable, provided that in vitro and in vivo tests are performed using these organisms or acceptable surrogates thereof, e.g. a product for use in obstetrics/gynaecology may choose to run trials to assess efficacy against Bacteroides spp. other than Bacteroides fragilis.
| Claim | In vitro Test | Minimum Acceptable Log Reduction |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 9 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 9 footnote ŧ | |||||
Table 1 footnotes
|
||||||
| General Healthcare Personnel UseTable 9 footnote a | Bacteria | EN 13727Table 9 footnote * | Not applicable | 5 | Acinetobacter spp. | |
| Bacteroides fragilis | ||||||
| Enterococcus faecium | ATCC 6057 | |||||
| Enterococcus hirae | ATCC 10541 | |||||
| Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| Haemophilus influenza | ||||||
| Klebsiella spp., including Klebsiella pneumoniae | ||||||
| Micrococcus luteus | ATCC 7468 | |||||
| Proteus mirabilis | ATCC 14153 | |||||
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | ATCC 15442/ATCC 27583 | |||||
| Serratia marcescens | ATCC 14756 | |||||
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 6538/ATCC 29213 | |||||
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | ATCC 12228 | |||||
| Staphylococcus haemolyticus | ||||||
| Staphylococcus hominis | ||||||
| Staphylococcus saprophyticus | ||||||
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | ||||||
| Streptococcus pyogenes | ||||||
| Mycobacteria | EN 14348 | Not applicable | 5 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 | |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses | EN 14476 | E 1052 | 4 | Adenovirus (Human Type 2) | VR-2 | |
| Hepatitis A | VR-2093 | |||||
| Hepatitis B virus - surrogate Duck Hepatitis B virus (DHBV) | ||||||
| Hepatitis C virus - surrogate Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) | ||||||
| Herpes simplex virus type 1 | VR-733 | |||||
| Herpes simplex virus type 2 | ||||||
| Influenza A virus | VR-544 | |||||
| Influenza B virus | ||||||
| Murine Norovirus (MNV) Table 9 footnote b | ||||||
| Papovavirus SV 40 | ||||||
| Polio virus type 1 - SabinMahoney -Pette strain | VR-1562 | |||||
| Respiratory syncytial virus | VR-26 | |||||
| Rhinovirus | VR-1147 | |||||
| Rotavirus | VR-2018 | |||||
| Surgical Scrubs (with or without water) Table 9 footnote a | Bacteria | EN 13727Table 9 footnote * | Not applicable | 5 | Same as for General Healthcare Personnel claim | |
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Same as for General Healthcare Personnel claim | ||
| Patient Preoperative Skin preparation (with or without water) Table 9 footnote a | Bacteria | EN 13727Table 9 footnote * | Not applicable | 5 | Same as for General Healthcare Personnel claim | |
| Fungi | EN 13624 | Not applicable | 4 | Same as for General Healthcare Personnel claim | ||
| Log or % Reduction | Bacteria | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications re sought. Must also meet the associated minimum log reduction value or better. | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications are sought. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| Organism SpecificTable 9 footnote c | Bacteria | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications are sought. | Organisms highlighted on labelling | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 9 footnote d | Bacteria | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications are sought. | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications are sought. | |||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Claim | In vivo Test | Minimum Acceptable Log ReductionTable 10 footnote † |
Organisms | Code | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTable 10 footnote ŧ | ASTMTable 10 footnote ŧ | |||||
|
Table 1 footnotes
| ||||||
| General Healthcare Personnel UseTable 10 footnote a | Bacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 1174 | 3 | Serratia marcesens | ATCC 14756 |
| IF CEN: Escherichia coli K 12 | NCTC 10538 | |||||
| IF ASTM: Escherichia coli |
ATCC 11229 | |||||
| Mycobacteria | Wash: EN 1499 Rub: EN 1500 |
E 1174 | 3 | Mycobacterium terrae | ATCC 15755 | |
| Mycobacterium avium | ATCC 15769 | |||||
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | |
| Aspergillus niger | ATCC 16404 | |||||
| Viruses | Not applicable | E 2011 | 2 | Human Rotavirus Wa | VR-201 8 | |
| Rhinovirus Type 37 or 14 | VR-I 147 or VR-284 | |||||
| Hepatitis A | VR-1402 | |||||
| Murine norovirusTable 10 footnote b | ||||||
| Adenovirus (Human Type 5) | VR-1516 | |||||
| Surgical Scrubs (with or without water)Table 10 footnote a | Bacteria | EN 12791 | E 1115 | CEN: Not significantly worse than the reference product ASTM: 3 |
Test performed against volunteer's resident organisms | |
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Same as for General Healthcare Personnel claim | ||
| Patient Preoperative Skin preparation (with or without water)Table 10 footnote a | Bacteria | Not applicable | E 1173 | 2 log/cm2 (dry skin sites) 3 log/cm2 (moist skin sites) |
Test performed against volunteer's resident organisms | |
| Fungi | Not applicable | E 2613 | 2 | Same as for General Healthcare Personnel claim | ||
| Log or % Reduction | Bacteria | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications re sought. Must also meet the associated minimum log reduction value or better. | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications are sought. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| Organism SpecificTable 10 footnote c | Bacteria | As per the requirements outlined for the specific category of healthcare professional (e.g. general use, surgical, preoperative) and/or the most stringent of these when multiple indications are sought. | Organisms highlighted on labelling. | |||
| Mycobacteria | ||||||
| Fungi | ||||||
| Viruses | ||||||
| PersistenceTable 10 footnote d | Bacteria | EN 12791 | E 1115 | CEN: Not significantly worse than the reference product ASTM: 3 |
Test performed against volunteer's resident organisms | |
| Fungi | ||||||
Products claiming log reduction values (e.g. kills 99.9% of bacteria) are required to submit data to support the claim. Note that products for use in a professional setting and/or those claiming to reduce specific organisms are required to have a minimum log reduction in vivo.
Persistence is defined as a claim that the product will deliver a longer action than only the immediate reduction of microorganisms on hand (see Definitions). Professional-use surgical scrubs and preoperative patient skin preparations must demonstrate a minimum persistence of at least six hours.
Antiseptic products are expected to have a minimum time-to-effect of 30 seconds (for waterless handrubs) to 1 minute (for washes or scrubs using water) upon completion of application according to the proposed directions for use. As this is considered the norm for antiseptics, a claim that a product is fast-acting would have to demonstrate both a significantly shorter time-to-effect and still maintain clinical relevance.
Any pharmaceutical product claiming sterility of any component of an antiseptic product must also undergo a chemistry and manufacturing review. Sponsors are recommended to consult the Health Canada guidance document on supporting data requirements for sterility claims: Stability Testing of Existing Drug Substances and Products and Quality Guidance: Applications for Drug Identification Numbers (DINAs) for Pharmaceuticals.
A product license application for a non-traditional natural health antiseptic product includes a chemistry and manufacturing review portion for all products, including those claiming sterility.
All products intended for use in a professional setting should be labelled on the front panel of the inner and outer labels with the indications specified for each subcategory (see below).
Further, the inner and outer labels shall also carry the following warning statements and directions for use, clearly identified with appropriate headings:
a Where "XmL" is equivalent to the dose required to achieve effect, as measured in in vivo efficacy trials.
b This statement may be excluded if it is demonstrated that the product is not in a refillable container.
Additional recommendations specific to the type of product are as follows:
The front panels of the inner and outer labels should be labelled with the following indications:
The directions for use (e.g. quantity, application procedure, etc) must comply with standard procedures as used in the efficacy test methods supporting the application.
The front panels of the inner and outer labels should be labelled with the following indications:
The directions for use should include the following additional direction:
The directions for use (e.g. quantity, application procedure, etc) must comply with standard presurgical procedures as used in the efficacy test methods supporting the application.
The front panels of the inner and outer labels should be labelled with the following indications:
The directions for use should include the following additional direction:
The directions for use (e.g. quantity, application procedure, etc) must comply with standard presurgical procedures as used in the efficacy test methods supporting the application.
The front panels of the inner and outer labels should be labelled with the following indications:
The directions for use should include the following additional direction:
The directions for use (e.g. quantity, application procedure, etc) must comply with standard presurgical procedures as used in the efficacy test methods supporting the application.
This guidance document will come into effect upon publication. All applicable antiseptic product submissions from the effective date of the Human-Use Antiseptic Drugs are expected to be filed with the recommended supporting data.
| Ingredient | Synonyms | Classification |
|---|---|---|
|
Table 11 footnotes
| ||
| Benzalkonium chloride | Drug | |
| Benzethonium chloride | Drug | |
| Chlorhexidine gluconate | Drug | |
| Chloroxylenol | Drug | |
| Ethanol | Ethyl alcohol, anhydrous alcohol | NHP |
| Hydrogen peroxide | NHP | |
| Iodine | NHP | |
| Isopropyl alcohol | Isopropyl alcohol, 2-propanol | NHP |
| Methylbenzethonium chloride | Drug | |
| Organic acids (e.g. benzoic acid, citric acid, formic acid, glyoxylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, undecylenic acid) | NHP | |
| Peracetic acid | Drug | |
| Sodium perborate | NHP | |
| Triclocarban | Drug | |
| Triclosan | Drug | |
E 1173-01e1: Standard Test Method of a Evaluation of a Preoperative, Precatheterization, or Preinjection Skin Preparations. USA, 2002.
E 1174-06: Standard Test Method for Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Health Care Personnel Handwash Formulations. USA, 2002.
E 2011-09: Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Hygienic Handwash and Handrub Formulations for Virus-Eliminating Activity Using the Entire Hand. USA, 2009.
E 2276-03: Standard Test Method for Determining the Bacteria-Eliminating Effectiveness of Hygienic Handwash and Handrub Agents Using the
Fingerpads of Adult Subjects. USA, 2003.
E 2613-08: Standard Test Method for Determining Fungus-Eliminating Effectiveness of Hygienic Handwash and Handrub Agents Using Finger Pads of Adults. USA, 2008.
EN 1500: Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Hygienic handrub. Brussels, July 1997.
EN 12791: Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Surgical hand disinfection. Test method and requirement (phase 2, step 2). Brussels, 2005.
EN 13624: Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants for instruments used in the medical area. Test method and recommendations (phase 2, step 1). Brussels, 2003.
EN 13727: Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants for instruments used in the medical area - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1). Brussels, July 2003.
EN 14348: Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants in the medical area including instrument disinfectants. Test methods and recommendations (phase 2, step 1). Brussels, 2005.
EN 14476: Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Virucidal quantitative suspension test for chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in human medicine - Test method and recommendations (phase 2/step 1). Brussels, May 2002.
Guidance Document: Disinfectant Drugs. Ottawa, April 29, 2007.
For personal domestic and commercial use products: In vitro tests are only recommended for product applications involving fungal and/or viral testing. Note that Health Canada reserves the right to request in vitro test results during the course of assessment of other products if such data is determined to be necessary to support an application. Applicants may also choose to voluntarily provide in vitro data as secondary supporting evidence to accompany any application.
For the purposes of this guidance, "independent" is defined as a separate legal entity from the market authorization holder. For the purposes of this guidance, all recommended testing should be performed in a laboratory which adheres to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
In order to meet full validation, surrogate testing should be conducted in independent laboratories located at different sites with different study directors and teams. The laboratories may belong to one single company or organization.
A subject is considered to be a human volunteer. It is not acceptable to interpret a "subject" as a digit on a human hand.
To be calculated once the product has been fully applied according to the proposed directions for use, and should not include application time.
A supporting scientific and clinically-relevant rationale should be provided if the time-to-effect is longer than recommended.
Health Canada will allow minor variation in formulation without receipt of new data to support product efficacy only for personal use products when variations are made to the fragrance or colour. Manufacturers should demonstrate product efficacy to Health Canada for all other reformulations as they may affect the product's performance.
Products authorized using an older test method must ensure that they still meet the method if it is updated.
Example: "Meets ASTM E 1174, 2011, and 2613". This will assist in transparency to healthcare providers on the basis of authorization for the product.