Drugs

Seven Observations on Exela FDA-483

FDA has released the FDA-483 with seven observations from a 6/10-7/18 inspection at Exela Pharma Sciences, a Lenoir, NC, outsourcing facility. The observations were:

failing to establish and follow procedures designed to prevent microbiological contamination of drug products purporting to be sterile;
aseptic processing areas are deficient regarding the system for monitoring environmental conditions;
procedures designed to prevent microbiological contamination of drug products purporting to be sterile did not include adequate validation of the aseptic process;
drug product containers and closures were not sterilized and processed to remove pyrogenic properties to assure they are suitable for their intended use;
failing to thoroughly review any unexplained discrepancy whether or not the batch has been already distributed;
batch production and control records do not include complete information relating to the production and control of each batch; and
equipment and utensils are not maintained at appropriate intervals to prevent malfunctions and contamination that would alter the safety, identity, strength, quality, or purity of the drug product.

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