• Drugs

  Analytical Procedures and Methods Validation for Drugs

  Posted by David Taylor on October 25, 2022 at 1:43 pm

  What is the method of validation in Drugs?

  Method validation in drugs is the process used to confirm that the analytical procedure employed for a specific test is suitable for its intended use. Results from method validation can be used to judge the quality, reliability and consistency of analytical results; it is an integral part of any good analytical practice.

  Definition:

  Method validation is the process used to confirm that the analytical procedure employed for a specific test is suitable for its intended use. Results from method validation can be used to judge the quality, reliability and consistency of analytical results; it is an integral part of any good analytical practice.

  

  Analytical methods need to be validated or revalidated

   

  • before their introduction into routine use;
  • whenever the conditions change for which the method has been validated (e.g., an instrument with different characteristics or samples with a different matrix); and
  • whenever the method is changed and the change is outside the original scope of the method.

   

  This guidance supersedes the draft of the same name that was published on February 19, 2014 (79 FR 9467) and replaces the 2000 draft guidance for industry on Analytical Procedures and Methods Validation and the 1987 Guidelines for Submitting Samples and Analytical Data for Methods Validation. It provides recommendations on how you, the applicant, can submit analytical procedures and methods validation data to support the documentation of the identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency of drug substances and drug products.

   

  It provides recommendations on how you, the applicant, can submit analytical procedures and methods validation data to support the documentation of the identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency of drug substances and drug products.

  Top Mistakes in Analytical Method Validation and How to Avoid Them

  Method validation is essential in proving the quality, reliability and consistency of a chemical being developed. Proper validation of a method provides documented evidence of method performance and prescribes ongoing measures to ensure quality monitoring for the life of the method. It is essentially the blueprint for future manufacturing of the chemical. Yet, inadequate method validation persists as a significant problem in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. When not performed properly, it can result in delays in product approval, require a complete do over of API development, or cause regulatory delays in commercialization. But, being aware of common mistakes, and how to avoid them, will help ensure analytical methods are successfully validated, leading to successful commercialization.

  

  What the FDA Wants

  Generally speaking, the FDA requires method validation data that supports and documents the identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency of drug substances and drug products, which must be reproducible time and again.

   

  The FDA provides clear guidance on method validation requirements, which is closely aligned to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidance. According to the guidance, early in the development of new analytical procedures, the choice of analytical instrumentation and methodology should be selected based on the intended purpose and scope of the analytical method. Parameters that may be evaluated during method development are specificity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ), range, accuracy, and precision.

   

  During early stages of method development, the robustness of methods should be evaluated to help Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and other scientists, decide which method will be submitted for approval. Analytical procedures in the early stages of development are initially developed based on a combination of a mechanistic understanding of the basic methodology and prior experience.

  Top Mistakes Found in Review

  Although these guidelines are comprehensive, following them can be challenging, especially when drug developers attempt to use a cookie cutter approach that often is found to be inadequate since it doesn’t take into consideration the uniqueness of each New Chemical Entity (NCE) or Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) being developed. In fact, the majority of negative audit findings fall into three main categories:

   

  • The use of non-validated methods for critical decision making
  • Inadequate method validation that does not provide the necessary information
  • Method validation that lacks appropriate controls to maintain the integrity of the validation

   

  The consequences of negative audit findings are numerous for both a sponsor and a CMO in terms of cost and commercialization potential. In addition to potential delays in starting clinical trials or shipping the product, incomplete method validation can impact stability studies that don’t meet specification. In addition the proven efficacy of the drug or even its safety profile can be compromised.

  Typical Culprits in Method Validation Problems

  Method validation problems can be found even before validation studies begin, and the root cause is a lack of thorough understanding of the physicochemical properties of the molecule, which should be determined at the start of the project. These include ascertaining the molecule’s solubility, pH, pKA, reactivity, melting point, boiling point, moisture sensitivity, light sensitivity and other characteristics.

   

  Only when the physiochemical nature of the compound is firmly established can the appropriate validation studies be designed. For example, if it is known that a material is light sensitive or moisture sensitive, then it is clearly understood that during validation studies it should not be exposed to light, heat or air. That type of information must be captured for an appropriate method validation plan.

  

  But aside from improper assessment of physicochemical properties, there are three common mistakes that occur in method development:

  Ignoring the 10 questions:

  Ahead of developing a reliable method for a product’s intended use, many scientists fail to prepare a methods validation plan which asks the following key questions:

   

  1. Is this method for the release of raw material?
  2. Is this method for in-process control?
  3. Is this method for final product release testing?
  4. What is the route of administration for this product?
  5. What is the maximum daily dose for this product?
  6. How long does the drug product’s administration take?
  7. What are the crucial components that need to be monitored for each sample of the product?
  8. What are the specifications?
  9. Does the compound have any genotoxic impurities?
  10. What is the impurity profile?

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