Soorten validatie in de farmaceutische industrie: een gids

Validation in the pharmaceutical industry is a critical procedure that ensures the safety, quality, and efficacy of drugs. Required by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, EMA, and WHO, validation is a cornerstone of pharmaceutical manufacturing, offering documented evidence that processes operate as intended. This article will define pharmaceutical process validation and its practical applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

How to define pharmaceutical process validation?

Validation in the pharmaceutical industry is the process of generating documented evidence that a specific procedure, process, or activity consistently leads to the expected results. It is essential for ensuring product safety and compliance with guidelines such as ICH guidelines for process validation and WHO guidelines for validation.

Pharmaceutical process validation is not just about meeting legal requirements; it is a proactive quality assurance measure that prevents issues like cross-contamination and product failure, thereby protecting public health and maintaining trust in pharmaceutical products. There are different types of pharmaceutical process validations, which we will elaborate further on.

Soorten validation in pharma

1. Procesvalidatie

This type confirms that the manufacturing process produces outputs that meet predefined specifications. It is conducted in three stages: process design, process qualification and continued process verification. This is a fundamental requirement outlined in FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

2. Reinigingsvalidatie

Dit zorgt ervoor dat reinigingsmethoden residuen, verontreinigingen of micro-organismen effectief verwijderen van apparatuur om kruisbesmetting te voorkomen. Reinigingsvalidatie is vooral belangrijk voor faciliteiten met meerdere producten.

3. Validatie van analysemethoden

Verifieert de nauwkeurigheid, specificiteit, reproduceerbaarheid en robuustheid van methoden die worden gebruikt om farmaceutische producten te testen. Voor dit proces is naleving van ICH Q2(R2) vereist.

4. Validatie van apparatuur

Bevestigt dat apparatuur consistent werkt binnen de vereiste parameters en ondersteunt de productie van kwaliteitsproducten. Dit omvat kwalificatiefasen zoals ontwerpkwalificatie (DQ), installatiekwalificatie (IQ), operationele kwalificatie (OQ) en prestatiekwalificatie (PQ).

Vaak worden de termen kwalificatie en validatie door elkaar gebruikt. In de farmaceutische productie dienen ze echter verschillende doelen.

- Kwalificatie richt zich op het garanderen dat apparatuur, systemen of faciliteiten werken zoals verwacht. Dit omvat activiteiten zoals ontwerpkwalificatie (DQ), installatiekwalificatie (IQ), operationele kwalificatie (OQ) en prestatiekwalificatie (PQ).

- Validation in pharma, on the other hand, has a broader scope. It ensures that the entire process, including equipment, systems, and methods, consistently produces a product meeting predefined quality standards.

Dit onderscheid is cruciaal voor het begrijpen van de stappen die nodig zijn om de productkwaliteit te garanderen en te voldoen aan de wettelijke vereisten.

De stappen van procesvalidatie

Validatie in de pharma industrie werkt meestal volgens een systematische aanpak:

• ‍Design qualification (DQ): this initial step ensures that the proposed design of the equipment or process meets the requirements for the intended purpose.

• Installation qualification (IQ): in this phase, it is confirmed that the equipment or systems are installed correctly and according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

• Operational qualification (OQ): here, it is determined whether the systems and equipment operate according to the intended operating ranges.

• Performance qualification (PQ): the final step involves testing that the equipment consistently performs according to the process parameters and can produce the desired output.

Het belang van een systematische aanpak

A systematic approach to validation is crucial because it helps identify potential variability in processes and establishes measures to control these variables. This is not just about ticking off a compliance checklist; it's about guaranteeing the quality and consistency of life-saving drugs in qualitative healthcare packaging. This includes ensuring secure and tamper-evident solutions such as blister packs for medication, which protect dosage integrity and enhance patient safety. That's why EcoBliss is your partner in healthcare packaging

Validatie en de rol ervan in kwaliteitsborging

Validation is an integral part of Quality Assurance (QA) in the pharmaceutical industry. It is a proactive measure that identifies potential problems before they affect the final product. It is a preventive approach rather than a reactive one, saving companies from costly recalls and maintaining their reputation.

De regelgeving

De validatievereisten in de pharma industrie zijn gebaseerd op voorschriften zoals de FDA's Current Good Manufacturing Practices (ontdek waarom GMP van belang is). Maar ook op de richtlijnen van de European Medicines Agency (EMA) en de richtlijnen van de International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH).

Validation in the pharmaceutical industry in action

To bring the concept of validation to life, let's look at a real-world application. In a packaging context, consider the Locked4Kids Wallet Box: a child-resistant solution. Before this innovative packaging hits the market, it undergoes rigorous testing and validation to ensure it meets safety standards while being accessible to adults. This kind of validation includes tests to verify that the packaging is tamper-evident, durable, and functions as intended. For example, the testing was to see how fast both children and seniors could open the Wallet Box. The system proved difficult to open for children, while seniors could open it with ease.

De noodzaak van voortdurende validatie

Validation in the pharmaceutical industry is not a one-time event but a continuous process. As new data are gathered, processes might be refined, and validation activities will be carried out again to ensure continuous compliance and quality. Validation in pharma is therefore viewed as an ongoing activity throughout the entire product lifecycle. After initial validation, processes must be continuously monitored using data from routine production to confirm that they remain in a state of control. This ongoing approach enables manufacturers to detect trends, deviations, or potential risks at an early stage and to take timely corrective or preventive actions. Regulatory authorities such as the FDA and EMA expect this lifecycle-based validation strategy, as it supports Good Manufacturing Practices, strengthens process understanding, and ultimately helps safeguard consistent product quality and patient safety.

Uitdagingen en overwegingen

Validatie kan complex zijn. Enkele van de uitdagingen zijn het integreren van nieuwe technologieën, het aanpassen aan veranderende regelgeving en het beheren van de kosten die gepaard gaan met validatieactiviteiten.

It is a vital part of the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to delivering safe and effective products and a dynamic process that requires attention to detail, a thorough understanding of processes, and a commitment to quality. Understanding the importance of validation is essential for anyone involved in the pharmaceutical industry, from the lab to the boardroom.

Want to discuss how a robust validation process can be implemented for your pharmaceutical products? Do not hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to provide expert guidance and support, ensuring your products meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

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