- common deficiencies
- common validation issues
- the challenges posed by the eAF
- what to do when documentation is missing
- how to handle GMP variations
- what happens when a CEP is presented for an active substance instead of a GMP certificate
Firstly, what is a variation?
The European Medicines Agency states that a variations is ‘a change to the terms of a marketing authorisation. This section provides guidance for marketing authorisation holders on the regulatory requirements and procedures for the different types of variations’. Statistical data released by the EMA in 2017 revealed that 44% of all Type I variation applications received for assessment by the EMA contained errors. It is reasonable to assume that these figures are mirrored for National and MRP variations. The figure of 44% is quite high when you consider that the variations classification guideline for Type I variations is quite detailed.The Quest for Perfection
The pharmaceutical industry is always pursuing initiatives to achieve “perfection” in our processes. The lean approach increases efficiency, improves quality and achieves what the pharmaceutical industry is primarily focused on, providing safe and effective medicinal products to the public. The function of Regulatory Affairs is no different. Identifying areas of improvement and increasing “Right First Time” is a goal of all regulatory personnel. This article details the common deficiency areas with the aim of enabling you to complete an error free Type I Variation.Deficiency Areas
Three main areas stand out, the eAF, Product Information and the Module updates. The EMA have published the checklist that is used when validating an application and is a useful document for any regulatory professional. Common validation issues are observed around the eAF, classification deficiencies and missing documentation.Common Validation Issues
eAF:- Scope: No precise scope is provided
- Annexes: impacted annexes are incorrectly selected
- Present/Proposed table: not provided
- Editorial Changes: not listed
- Incorrect scope applied for
- Incorrect number of scopes applied for
- Not all amendments are detailed
- Justification for changes being applied for
- Associated GMP documentation
- Discrepancies between provided documentation
So what’s going wrong?
eAF The introduction of the eAF (electronic application form) has posed challenges for us all. Regular revision updates, bugs, workarounds and fixes have become part and parcel of completing any of the eAFs. So what are we doing wrong with the variation eAF. The EMA has detailed the errors they have observed, and these include:- Incorrect MAH and contact details are being provided. The contact person must be the person that the relevant agency has on record as being able to communicate on behalf of the applicant.
- Details regarding the products concerned. Only products and presentations affected by the change should be listed
- Incorrect Scope Selection. In the case of grouped variations it is important to select the correct number of scopes
- Information regarding the change not being clear or concise
- Validation of the form itself. Make sure that that boxes 2 & 3 are ticked for Type IAs and that the last box is ticked for IGs or WS variations.
Documentation Missing
The EMA reported that missing documentation is a re-occurring theme. Therefore, it is in your best interest to ensure that:- A copy of the relevant pages from the classification guideline is supplied.
- Documentation and amended sections of the dossier must be presented in accordance with CTD formatting guidelines
- Product Information: National translations are regularly omitted. Editorial changes have been included in the Product Information but not reflected in the eAF. The EMA quote that 24% of issues with national product information relate to the incorrect implementation of wording in alignment with the reference product in the EEA
- RMP: Clean version not presented in eCTD sequence. Tracked versions not included in a working docs folder outside of the eCTD sequence
- RMP: A summary of change document must be included for larger updates but also when the RMP is being updated into a new template
The Problems With GMP Variations
GMP or Quality related variations seem to pose additional areas where errors routinely occur. Deficiencies are observed in a number of areas. eAF- Incorrect scope applied. The actual change in not in-line with the proposed scope e.g. change of address is physical and not administrative
- Discrepancies in the activity terminology performed by the manufacturer (i.e. term used is “packaging” which implies primary and secondary, whereas the manufacturer is authorised to perform secondary packaging only
- Missing paper or Eudra GMDP reference
- Invalid or incorrect MIAs and or GMP certificates
- Lack of justification for omission of a QP declaration
- QP declarations can either be not complete and do not cover all the relevant API sites
- The proposed variation is on a sterile product and one the variation conditions excludes sterile products
- Missing implementation dates and conditions of transport and bulk storage.
- Submission of company letters instead of official documentation
- Omission of official documentation entirely
- Present and Proposed table is missing
- Table doesn’t reflect the change being applied for