Guidance Document: Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) – Bulk and Tapped Density of Powders

Notice

May 29, 2015
Our file number: 15-106311-850

Adoption of International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Guidance Document: Q4B Annex 13: Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions on Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders General Chapter

Health Canada is pleased to announce the adoption of the ICH guidance Q4B Annex 13: Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions on Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders General Chapter.

This guidance has been developed by the appropriate ICH Expert Working Group and has been subject to consultation by the regulatory parties, in accordance with the ICH Process. The ICH Steering Committee has endorsed the final draft and recommended its adoption by the regulatory bodies of the European Union, Japan and USA.

In adopting this ICH guidance, Health Canada endorses the principles and practices described therein. This document should be read in conjunction with this accompanying notice and with the relevant sections of other applicable Health Canada guidances.

It is recognized that the scope and subject matter of current Health Canada guidances may not be entirely consistent with those of the ICH guidances that are being introduced as part of our commitment to international harmonization and the ICH Process. In such circumstances, Health Canada adopted ICH guidances take precedence.

Health Canada is committed to eliminating such discrepancies through the implementation of a phased-in work plan that will examine the impact associated with the adoption of ICH guidances. This will result in the amendment or, depending on the extent of revisions required, withdrawal of some Health Canada guidances.

This and other Guidance documents are available on the Health Canada website.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the content of the guidance, please contact:

BPS Enquiries - Bureau of Pharmaceutical Sciences
E-mail: BPS_Enquiries@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-941-3184
Fax: 613-941-0571

ICH Topic Q4B ANNEX 13(R1)

Date Adopted: 2015/05/29
Effective Date: 2015/05/29

Foreword

This guidance has been developed by the appropriate ICH Expert Working Group and has been subject to consultation by the regulatory parties, in accordance with the ICH Process. The ICH Steering Committee has endorsed the final draft and recommended its adoption by the regulatory bodies of the European Union, Japan and the United States of America.

In adopting this ICH guidance, Health Canada endorses the principles and practices described therein. This document should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notice and the relevant sections of other applicable guidances.

Guidance documents are meant to provide assistance to industry and health care professionals on how to comply with the policies and governing statutes and regulations. They also serve to provide review and compliance guidance to staff, thereby ensuring that mandates are implemented in a fair, consistent and effective manner.

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 scientific 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 guidance, 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.

1. Introduction

This annex is the result of the Q4B process for the Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders General Chapter.

The proposed texts were submitted by the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG).

2. Q4B Outcome

2.1 Analytical Procedures

The ICH Steering Committee, based on the evaluation by the Q4B Expert Working Group (EWG), recommends that the analytical procedures described in the official pharmacopoeial texts, European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) 2.9.34. Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders, Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) 3.01 Determination of Bulk and Tapped Densities, and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapter <616> Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders, can be used as interchangeable in the ICH regions.

2.2 Acceptance Criteria

The texts evaluated did not contain acceptance criteria.

3. Timing of Annex Implementation

When this annex is implemented (incorporated into the regulatory process at ICH Step 5) in a region, it can be used in that region. Timing might differ for each region.

4. Considerations for Implementation

4.1 General Consideration

When sponsors or manufacturers change their existing methods to the implemented Q4B-evaluated pharmacopoeial texts that are referenced in Section 2.1 of this annex, any change notification, variation, and/or prior approval procedures should be handled in accordance with established regional regulatory mechanisms pertaining to compendial changes.

4.2 United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consideration

Based on the recommendation above, and with reference to the conditions set forth in this annex, the pharmacopoeial texts referenced in Section 2.1 of this annex can be considered interchangeable. However, FDA might request that a company demonstrate that the chosen method is acceptable and suitable for a specific material or product, irrespective of the origin of the method.

4.3 European Union (EU) Consideration

For the European Union, regulatory authorities can accept the reference in a marketing authorisation application, renewal or variation application citing the use of the corresponding text from another pharmacopoeia as referenced in Section 2.1, in accordance with the conditions set out in this annex, as fulfilling the requirements for compliance with the Ph. Eur. Chapter 2.9.34. on the basis of the declaration of interchangeability made above.

4.4 MHLW Consideration

The pharmacopoeial texts referenced in Section 2.1 of this annex can be used as interchangeable in accordance with the conditions set out in this annex. Details of implementation requirements will be provided in the notification by MHLW when this annex is implemented.

4.5 Health Canada Consideration

In Canada any of the texts cited in Section 2.1 of this annex and used in accordance with the conditions set out in this annex can be considered interchangeable.

5. References Used for the Q4B Evaluation

5.1 The PDG Stage 5B sign-off document (Rev. 1 - Correction 1): Japanese Pharmacopoeial Forum, Volume 18, number 3 (September 2009).

5.2 The pharmacopoeial references for the Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders General Chapter for this annex are:

5.2.1 European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.): Supplement 6.8 to Ph.Eur. 6^th Edition (official July 2010), Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders (reference 07/2010:20934);
5.2.2 Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP): 3.01 Determination of Bulk and Tapped Densities as it appears in the JP Sixteenth Edition (March 24, 2011, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ministerial Notification No. 65);
5.2.3 United States Pharmacopeia (USP): <616> Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powders, USP 34, 2^nd Supplement official December 1, 2011).

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