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Stakeholder Comments are invited on draft guidance for Categorization of deficiencies in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Ijaz Mustafa Drugs ,

Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) aims at providing a comprehensive guidance to the inspectors for categorizing the GMP non-compliances found during inspections. This document is intended to inform stakeholders regarding the principles used to classify GMP deficiencies and provide examples of the classification of different types of deficiencies.

The key objectives of categorizing the GMP non-compliances during report writing are:-

The harmonization of the classification of GMP deficiencies to facilitate synchronized reporting of GMP deficiencies from inspections across the inspectorate. Harmonization will help ensure that there is a consistent view across the inspectorate of what constitutes a “Critical” deficiency and what constitutes a “Major” deficiency. Risk management principles will be applied to the categorization of these deficiencies dependent on the type of product manufactured or process.

This guidance document is also intended to:

  1. provide actions to be taken by inspectorates in response to the reporting of critical and major deficiencies;
  2. enhance communication, information sharing and scientific exchange to promote increased consistency and predictability in regulatory
  3. to provide a tool to support the risk-based classification of GMP deficiencies from inspections and to establish consistency amongst Inspectorates.

This guidance will enable Industry to be informed of the principles used to classify GMP deficiencies and also provide examples of the classification of
different types of deficiencies. Notwithstanding, this approach is not binding as the classification takes also into account the context of the finding and the quality history of the site. It does not remove the responsibility of the company in assessing the impact of he finding on the products already on the market and/or on their quality system.

Consistency of classification of GMP deficiencies will assist in the following:

  1. Improve consistency in reporting and facilitate communication between inspectors;
  2. Harmonize inspectorate response and management of deficiencies classified as “Critical”, “Major” and “Other”;
  3. Provide transparency in how the deficiencies are classified; and
  4. Simplify deficiency trend analysis based on harm

This draft guideline is uploaded on the official website of DRAP dated 28th May, 2022, for seeking comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft document. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 15 days of uploading this document using prescribed format, (further information on comments submission can access on this link. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to ajmal.sohail∂dra.gov.pk, copying at hasan.afzaal∂dra.gov.pk , or can be posted at mailing address, Additional Director, Quality Assurance & Lab Testing, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, 3rd floor, TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

Please click to view the Draft Guidance on categorization of deficiencies in GMPDownload

DRAP issued Guidelines for Public Health Programs (PHPs) to promote Pharmacovigilance activities and enhancing collaboration with National Pharmacovigilance Centre, DRAP.

Asad Ullah Pharmacovigilance

Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) aims at providing a holistic system of Pharmacovigilance in the country. Public Health Programs are key stakeholders involved in the reporting, assessment and risk communication of various un-wanted effects arising after the use of drugs, vaccines and other therapeutic goods. Reporting of Adverse Events associated with the use of therapeutic goods exclusively being used by PHPs is essential to a pharmacovigilance system.

The key objectives of pharmacovigilance activities in public health programs are:-

  1. To improve public health and safety in relation to the use of therapeutic goods in PHPs;
  2. To detect problems related to the use of therapeutic goods and associated risk communication in a timely manner
  3. To encourage the safe, rational and more effective use of therapeutic goods.

This guideline will assist the Public Health Programs (PHPs) for enhancement of pharmacovigilance activities, and provide a guidance on communication channels among PHPs and Pharmacovigilance Centres for collaborative working to synergize activities within the National Pharmacovigilance system of Pakistan.

DRAP published the draft of this guidelines on its website on 23rd April, 2022 inviting the comments of stakeholders on the draft. After through consultation and careful consideration, fist edition of the guidelines on the pharmacovigilance activities in the public health programs are finalized. Nevertheless, anyone can still furnish his/her comments on the guidelines using our comments submissions methods for consideration in the future editions of the document.

Please click to view the document, GUIDELINES ON PHARMACOVIGILANCE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES

DRAP issues guidance on the submissions of Clinical Trials Applications

Asad Ullah Clinical Trials, Publications, Regulatory Updates, Uncategorized

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) regulates the conduct of clinical trials of therapeutic goods in Pakistan under the Bio-Study Rules, 2017. This document provides general guidance to the applicants in making new applications for clinical trials on therapeutic goods, or any subsequent submissions and regulatory requirements to be fulfilled. It also provides an outline on the procedure for submission, review, evaluation and approval of applications for the conduct of clinical trials.

These guidelines will assist sponsors, researchers, investigators, clinical research organization (CRO), who intends to submit a new application for conduct of a clinical trials or its subsequent submissions under the regulatory scope of the Bio-Study Rules, 2017.

These guidelines explains the procedures for filing applications of clinical trials and provides an insight on the steps to be followed by the applicants. As per DRAP Act, 2012 and Drug Act, 1976 it is required that all the therapeutic goods marketed in Pakistan must have a valid authorization / registration with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), and any clinical trials using such registered or unregistered products must receive written approval (i.e. license for Clinical Trial Site & Clinical Studies) from DRAP, under the Bio-Study Rules 2017 for that purpose.

DRAP published the draft of this guidance document on its website on 8th April, 2022 inviting the comments of stakeholders on the draft. After through consultation and careful consideration, fist edition of the guidance document on the clinical trial applications is finalized. Nevertheless, anyone can still furnish his/her comments on the guidance documents using our comments submissions methods for consideration in the future editions of the document.

Please click here to view the Guidance on Clinical Trials Applications

DRAP issues final Guidance document for applicants on Import and Export permissions of therapeutic goods in the country

Asad Ullah News & Updates, Publications, Regulatory Updates

DRAP has a regulatory oversight on import and export of all type of therapeutic goods to determine whether they are permittable in accordance with the applicable drug laws, and refuses the entry or exit of any therapeutic good in case of noncompliance to the regulatory requirements.

“Import and export of any therapeutic goods prohibited under Rule 23 of the Drugs Act 1976 and Schedule II of the DRAP Act 2012 are punishable under Rule 27 of the Drugs Act 1976 and Schedule III of the DRAP Act, 2012”

These regulatory controls are applied to prevent the infiltration of substandard and suspected falsified medicine into the supply system and to assure the access to standard quality therapeutic goods. This guidance document will elaborate the requirements, procedures for imports and exports for any therapeutic good e.g. finished pharmaceutical and biological drug products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug substances (DS), Medical Devices, and Health & OTC Product (e.g. nutraceuticals, herbals, ayurvedic and homeopathic products, biochemic and Chinese products) and their raw materials. It covers the both import and export of therapeutic goods for commercial and non-commercial purposes, and also provides guidance on determination of the eligibility of importers and exporters.

Please click to access the final guidance document on “Import and Export of Therapeutic Goods“

The main objective of these guidelines is to provide legal and regulatory requirements to importers and exporters of therapeutic goods, enabling them to comply with the applicable drug laws for import and export of therapeutic goods. These guidelines specify the format and content of the relevant applications and procedures to receive necessary authorizations or permissions by DRAP.

For more information on regulatory guidelines issued by DRAP, please navigate to our section on “Regulatory Guidelines“

Mr. Asim Rauf, CEO, DRAP met with WHO Country Representative, Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala to promote bilateral cooperation

Asad Ullah Events, Press Releases
Mr. Asim Rauf, CEO, DRAP met with WHO Country Representative, Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala to promote bilateral cooperation

Mr. Asim Rauf, CEO DRAP met with WHO Country Representative for Pakistan, Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala on Monday 25th April, 2022 at WHO Country Office, Islamabad, to discuss the bilateral cooperation among WHO and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.

Dr. Mahipala appreciated the efforts of DRAP and Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination for strengthening the national regulatory framework to ensure and enhance the access of quality assured, safe and efficacious therapeutic goods in the country for better health of the people of Pakistan. Mr. Asim Rauf, acknowledged the role of WHO and country office’ team for extending assistance in various health programs which are improving the access of Pakistani citizen to quality assured therapeutic goods.

The meeting ended with the reiteration of the commitment from WHO and DRAP for strengthening the bilateral cooperation and to take all possible measure for protecting the health of the people of Pakistan.

DRAP notified the Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, for active monitoring of safety of therapeutic goods across the country

Ijaz Mustafa Regulatory Updates, SROs

The pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, notified on 22nd April, 2022 , came into effect. This will provide a legal framework to monitor the safety of therapeutic goods throughout their use in the healthcare practice. This legislation details responsibilities of all stakeholders in active supervision of the product’ safety and monitoring, and provides a legal framework to implement and strengthen the pharmacovigilance system across the country. The newly approved rules will have a significant impact to improve pharmacovigilance system in the country, and provides responsibilities to be carried out by the National Pharmacovigilance Centre, Provincial or regional pharmacovigilance Centres, Public Health Programs (PHPs), and as well as, for the products’ registration holders (marketing authorization holders).

The Pharmacovigilance Rules,2022 are aimed at :-

  • Establishing the pharmacovigilance system for the collection and monitoring of Adverse Events, and related data on safety of therapeutic goods;
  • Review and assessment of safety data for effective regulatory actions to ensure the safe use of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, etc.;
  • Encourage reporting of Adverse Events by the Healthcare Professionals, Patients and Consumers of therapeutic goods;
  • Better communication and collaborative working among all stakeholders.

To know more about please navigate to “How DRAP Monitor Safety of Therapeutic Goods“, and “How to Report Adverse Events?”

SRO-540I-2022-PV-Rules-2022Download

National Pharmacovigilance Centre, DRAP issued draft guidelines on promoting Pharmacovigilance activities in Public Health Programs (PHPs).

Asad Ullah Regulatory Updates, Uncategorized

Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) aims at providing a holistic system of Pharmacovigilance in the country. Public Health Programs are key stakeholders involved in the reporting, assessment and risk communication of various un-wanted effects arising after the use of drugs, vaccines and other therapeutic goods. Reporting of Adverse Events associated with the use of therapeutic goods exclusively being used by PHPs is essential to a pharmacovigilance system.

The key objectives of pharmacovigilance activities in public health programs are:-

  1. To improve public health and safety in relation to the use of therapeutic goods in PHPs;
  2. To detect problems related to the use of therapeutic goods and associated risk communication in a timely manner
  3. To encourage the safe, rational and more effective use of therapeutic goods.

This guideline will assist the Public Health Programs (PHPs) for enhancement of pharmacovigilance activities, and provide a guidance on communication channels among PHPs and Pharmacovigilance Centres for collaborative working to synergize activities within the National Pharmacovigilance system of Pakistan.

Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions with 15 days of uploading of this document using prescribed format to submit comments (link to access table of comments), and forward via email to npc∂dra.gov.pk, copying at aqsa.hashmi∂dra.gov.pk, or can post at mailing address, Director, Pharmacy Services, 3rd floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

Please click here to view draft guidance document GUIDELINES ON PHARMACOVIGILANCE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES