High Utilization Seen as GMP Issue Behind Cancer Drug Shortages

A lack of manufacturing capacity blamed for sterile injectable oncology drug shortages can be viewed as a GMP compliance issue, FDA official says, pointing to Section 211 process validation requirements. HHS analysis links the shortages to excessive utilization rates at generics firms.

As FDA responds to a spate of drug shortages, there is talk within the agency about treating the underlying failure of the pharmaceutical industry to adequately increase production capacity as a GMP issue, an FDA official told the Interphex conference in New York.

It’s a discussion that gives quality managers a reason to monitor utilization rates and advocate for sufficient plant capacity.

More from Manufacturing

No Surprise Here: Foreign Drug Facilities Should Expect Surprise Inspections, US FDA Says

 
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The FDA's recent announcement of plans to expand unannounced inspections at ex-US facilities should put firms on advance notice that their next foreign facility inspection may not be preannounced, Ivy Sweeney, acting head of the agency's drug inspections office said.

Room For Improvement? EU Industry Prepares Feedback For SPC Manufacturing Waiver Review

 
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As the European Commission prepares a formal evaluation of the SPC manufacturing waiver, the generics and biosimilars industry is getting ready to provide detailed feedback on what works – and what doesn’t. At Medicines for Europe’s legal affairs conference, delegates heard the latest updates.

UK’s Plan To Become World’s Third Top Life Sciences Economy Falls Short, Says ABPI

 

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry says that while the government’s newly published Life Sciences Sector Plan includes many positive commitments, they are not enough.

AI And Inertia: The Disruptors Keeping EU Regulators Awake At Night

 

Data is “the new oil,” but its use will challenge regulators, while inertia is the biggest disrupter of all for European regulators, according to European Medicines Agency chiefs past and present.

More from Compliance

AI In Manufacturing: EU To Revamp GMP Guidance In Light Of Digital Advancements

 

Pharma firms are being encouraged to respond to a European Commission consultation on planned updates to its good manufacturing practice standards which reflect the “rapid advancement” of modern technologies, like AI and digital systems, in drug manufacturing.

Lawyers Weigh In On ‘Sunshine’ Clause In EU Pharma Reform Package

 

The Council of the EU has not taken forward a proposal from the European Parliament that would require companies to disclose the transfers of value they make to health care professionals and health care organizations – lawyers weigh in on the diverging proposals.

EU Pharma Overhaul May Reshape Aspects Of Drug Promotion And HCP Partnerships

 

Lawyers explain how changes to rules around drug advertising and promotional activities under the EU pharma reform package could impact companies operating in the bloc, with one legal expert advising companies to “monitor developments closely.”