Drugs

Multiple Violations at Contract Manufacturer

A 9/6-9/20/22 FDA inspection at the Cosmetic Science Laboratories drug manufacturing facility in Torrance, CA, found significant violations of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for finished drugs. A 3/10 Warning Letter says specific violations were:

failing to conduct at least one test to verify the identity of each component of a drug product and failing to validate and establish the reliability of the firm’s component supplier’s test analyses at appropriate intervals;
failing to establish adequate written procedures for production and process control designed to assure that the drug products manufactured have the identity, strength, quality, and purity they purport or are represented to possess; and failing to prepare batch production and control records with complete information relating to the production and control of each batch of drug product produced; and
failure of the quality control unit to exercise its responsibility to ensure that drug products manufactured comply with CGMP and meet established specifications for identity, strength, quality, and purity.

The letter also identifies registration and listing violations and acknowledges that the firm committed to ceasing the production of drugs at the facility and deregistering it as a drug manufacturer. However, it says, as of 3/7 the company Web site continues to advertise its services as a contract drug manufacturer. FDA asks the company to clarify whether it intends to resume manufacturing any drugs at this facility in the future.

FDA recommends that the firm retain a qualified consultant to perform a comprehensive audit of its entire operation for CGMP compliance, assist it in meeting CGMP regulations, and evaluate the completion and efficacy of corrective and preventive actions before Cosmetic Science pursues resolution of its compliance status with FDA.

The letter reminds the firm that it is responsible for the quality of the drugs it manufactures regardless of agreements in place with product owners.

Cosmetic Science was told to correct violations promptly and to respond with a list of specific actions it has taken to correct violations and prevent their recurrence, with a schedule for completing the corrections

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

Read more

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome