Standard Operating Procedure for Stability Testing According to PMDA Guidelines
1) Purpose
The purpose of this SOP is to provide a standardized procedure for conducting stability studies in compliance with the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) guidelines to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of drug products.
2) Scope
This SOP applies to all drug products requiring stability testing as per PMDA guidelines. It is relevant to departments involved in production, quality control, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs.
3) Responsibilities
- Quality Control (QC) Team: Conducts stability testing according to PMDA guidelines.
- Quality Assurance (QA) Team: Reviews and approves stability protocols and reports to ensure compliance with PMDA standards.
- Regulatory Affairs Team: Ensures stability data is prepared in accordance with PMDA submission requirements.
4) Procedure
- Preparation of Stability Protocol
- Develop a stability study protocol in alignment with PMDA guidelines, specifying storage conditions, test intervals, and analytical methods.
- Submit the protocol for review and approval to the QA team.
- Execution of Stability Studies
- Store samples in stability chambers under specified conditions (e.g., 25°C/60% RH, 30°C/75% RH) as per PMDA requirements.
- Conduct tests at defined intervals to evaluate stability parameters such as potency, degradation products, and dissolution.
- Document all test results, observations, and any deviations from the protocol.
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Analyze stability data to ensure compliance with PMDA standards.
- Prepare a stability study report for submission to the PMDA, detailing all findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
5) Abbreviations, if any
- QC: Quality Control
- QA: Quality Assurance
- PMDA: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency
- RH: Relative Humidity
6) Documents, if any
- Stability Study Protocol
- Analytical Test Reports
- Stability Study Report
7) Reference, if any
- PMDA Guidelines on Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products
8) SOP Version
Version 1.0