Drugs

Repeat CGMP Violations at Cipla Plant

A 2/6-2/17 FDA inspection at the Cipla drug manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh, India, found repeat significant current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) violations for finished drugs. An 11/17 Warning Letter says specific violations were:

failing to thoroughly investigate any unexplained discrepancy or failure of a batch or any of its components to meet any of its specifications, whether or not the batch has already been distributed;
failing to establish and follow appropriate written procedures that are designed to prevent microbiological contamination of drug products purporting to be sterile, including validation of all aseptic and sterilization processes; and
failing to establish adequate written responsibilities and procedures applicable to the quality control unit and to follow such written procedures.

The letter says FDA has cited similar CGMP observations at other facilities in the company’s network, including a Goa facility. “These repeated failures at multiple sites demonstrate that your management’s oversight and control over the manufacture of drugs is inadequate,” it says. The letter also says Cipla is violating the Field Alert Reporting requirement.

FDA recommends that Cipla retain a qualified consultant to assist it in meeting CGMP requirements.

Cipla was told to correct any violations promptly and to respond with a list of specific steps it has taken to correct any 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

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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