Regulatory Updates – Page 13 – Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan

Regulatory Update / Advisory; Recall of Targocid 200mg powder for solution for injection/infusion or oral solution in UK

Asad Ullah News & Updates, Recall Alerts, Regulatory Updates October 31, 2022November 2, 2022

Date: 31st October, 2022

Target Audience: –

Healthcare Professionals- Physicians, Pharmacists, and Nurses.
General Public

Problem or Issue: –

Sanofi UK has initiated an urgent recall of two batches of Targocid 200mg powder for solution for injection/infusion or oral solution (Batch Number 0J25D1 and Batch Number 0J25D2). Reason for recall is the out of specifications results obtained for bacterial endotoxins in the retained samples.

However, both of these batches were not imported or marketed in Pakistan by the authorized registration holder company, hence, Pakistan’s market will not be affected by this recall operation.

Nonetheless, DRAP has directed registration holder company to test the retaining samples of other batches which are supplied in Pakistan to ensure that problem is not extended beyond the identified two batches.

Advice for healthcare professional: –

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the clinical symptoms related to the potential risk to patient health; a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature, chills and shivering, cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin, a fast heartbeat, fast breathing, severe breathlessness, severe muscle pain, feeling dizzy or faint, a change in mental state – such as confusion or disorientation, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product shall be reported to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre(NPC), DRAP using Adverse Event Reporting Form or online through this link. Further information on how to report a problem to DRAP is available on this link.

Advice for general public: –

Since, these affected batches have not been imported or supplied in Pakistan by the marketing authorization holder, no recall is initiated for this product in Pakistan. These these batches were supplied and being recalled in the UK market only. However, if any person has carried these affected batches for their personal use they are advised not to consume it, and consult their healthcare provider immediately.

ADVISORY-TARGOCID-final-revised Download

DRAP finalizes Guidelines on the Preparation of Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)

Asad Ullah Drugs, Regulatory Updates October 27, 2022October 27, 2022

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) are the basic information for healthcare professionals on the use of drug products to ensure safety, efficacy and quality, and also provides a basis for preparation of the Patient Information Leaflet (PiL). SmPC describes the set of characteristics of a drug product as determined through the assessment process during registration of a drug product.

SmPC guidelines are intended to provide supportive information for preparation of Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for registration / market authorization of pharmaceutical and biological products of all types including New drug products, Generic drug products and Biosimilars.

Rule 26 of the Drugs (Licensing, Registering & Advertising) Rules, 1976, as amended vide S.R.O 713(I)/2018 dated 8th June 2018, under 26(1) section 1.5.14 requires that in order to obtain registration/marketing authorization of drug product, a Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is required to be included in the application dossier. The SmPC is part of drug registration / marketing authorization approval, and its contents can only be changed with the approval of Competent Authority. In this context, Registration Board has deliberated the contents of summary of Product Characteristics for pharmaceutical and biological drug products. This document transforms the decisions and advices of Registration Board into a guidance document for preparation of SmPC with application dossier submission in the CTD module.

The draft guidelines were prepared three years ago and was available on the DRAP’ s website. Stakeholders have submitted their comments on the draft document and accordingly guidelines have been finalized after careful consideration of stakeholder’s comments.

Please click to view the final document, GUIDELINES ON Preparation of Summary of Product Characteristics

For more information on Regulatory Guidelines published by DRAP, please navigate to Publications tabs on our website.

Usage of online account for DRAP E-services(Pharma industry)

Ijaz Mustafa General October 21, 2022October 21, 2022

Usage-of-Online-Accounts Download

Notification: Applications for Registrations of Pharmaceutical drugs submitted on Form 5/5D requiring submission of Product Stability Data

Asad Ullah Drugs, Notifications, Regulatory Updates October 17, 2022October 17, 2022Notifications, PER

Registration Board in 320th meeting held on 29th – 31st August 2022 has issued a direction with regards to the applications received on Form 5 / 5-D for registration of pharmaceutical drugs, which requires submission of stability study data for further processing. The list of such applications is available on official website of DRAP (link).

The decision of Registration Board is notified and attached hereunder for information and compliance by all relevant stakeholders.

Notification-Form-5 Download

SRO 1888(I)/2022 : Notification of Clinical Studies Committee under Bio-Study Rules, 2017

Ijaz Mustafa Clinical Trials, Notifications October 13, 2022October 13, 2022

SRO-1888-of-2022-Clinical-Studies-Committee Download

DRAP issued Guidelines on Management of High Alert Medication

Asad Ullah Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Updates September 29, 2022September 29, 2022Guidelines, Pharmacy Services, Pharnacovigilance

DRAP envisions advancement in the healthcare system of Pakistan by working at par with international standards, and best regulatory practices through effective management and regulation of therapeutic goods. The National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC) at DRAP issues guidelines from time to time for different activities relating to Pharmacovigilance and promotion of pharmacy services to cater to the needs of different stakeholders.

High Alert medicines are those that have a high risk of causing injury or harm if they are misused or used in error. NPC, DRAP has issued a a Guidelines on Management of High Alert Medication to illustrate recommended practices for safe handling of those drug products that are classified as High Alert Medication (HAM).

The main objective for issuing this guidance document is to support healthcare professionals working at hospitals and healthcare services providing institutes for ensure safe practices for prescribing, dispensing, administration and monitoring of high alert medication (HAM) and applies to all healthcare settings and healthcare professionals involved in the handling and usage of HAM. The outlined and recommended strategies are intended to educate HCPs, prevent risks associated with HAM, implement safety checks and encourage reporting of Adverse Events /Adverse Drug Reactions.

This draft guideline was uploaded on the official website of DRAP dated 16^th June, 2022 with request of comments submissions by the stakeholders. The National Pharmacovigilance centre, Division of Pharmacy Services has finalized the documents after careful evaluation of the comments and input received from internal and external stakeholder consultation.

Suggestions can be forwarded via email to npc∂dra.gov.pk, copying at aqsa.hashmi∂dra.gov.pk , or can be posted at mailing address, Director, Division of Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, 3rd floor, TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

click to view the Guidelines on Management of High Alert Medication (Edition 01). For more information related the regulatory guidelines and guidance documents issued by the DRAP please navigate to the Publications > Guidelines tab of our website.

DRAP issued guidance on Remote Virtual Inspection (RVI) for GMP Assessment of overseas manufacturing facilities for registration of finished Pharmaceutical Drugs and Biologicals

Ijaz Mustafa Drugs, General September 27, 2022September 28, 2022

Virtual_Inspection_Letter Download

Notification: Expert members of the Medical Device Board (MDB)

Ijaz Mustafa Medical Devices, Notifications September 15, 2022September 16, 2022

Notification_of_MDB_Members Download

National Pharmacovigilance Cell (NPC), DRAP released draft Guidelines on National Pharmacovigilance System (Edition 02) seeking comments from stakeholders

Asad Ullah News & Updates, Pharmacovigilance August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

DRAP has established the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC), under the Division of Pharmacy Services, DRAP, Islamabad, to monitor the safety of therapeutic goods across the country. NPC is working with National and International coordination for the development of a functional Pharmacovigilance system in the country. Since 2018, Pakistan is the Full member of the World Health Organization Programme for International Drug Monitoring (WHO-PIDM), Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), Sweden.

The NPC has developed multi channel reporting system, including electronic and manual reporting forms supported with the guidelines that are available through the official website for stakeholders. With the promulgation of Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, it is now the legal obligation of all pharmacovigilance stakeholders to establish their system and report the pharmacovigilance data to NPC.

The 1st Edition of National Pharmacovigilance Guidelines were published in October, 2019. This is the draft for 2nd Edition of National Pharmacovigilance Guidelines, being revised in the light of recently enacted Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022. This Guidance document is intended to assist all pharmacovigilance stakeholders i.e. Healthcare professionals, Marketing Authorization Holders, Healthcare providing institutes, Patients and caregivers, etc., in playing their roles and responsibilities in the national pharmacovigilance system. The WHO Pharmacovigilance indicators have been incorporated in the chapter 11 of the draft 2^nd edition to harmonize the procedure performance evaluation with international standards.

These guidelines are uploaded on the official website of DRAP on 24^th of August, 2022 for seeking comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft document. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 15 days of uploading this document using prescribed format. For further guidelines on how to submit comments visit DRAP website or click here. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to npc∂dra.gov.pk, or can be posted at mailing address, Director, Division of Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, 3rd floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

Please click here to view the draft document National Pharmacovigilance Guidelines 2022

National Essential Medicine Lists

Asad Ullah Notifications, Pharmacovigilance, Publications July 22, 2022December 21, 2023Notifications, Pharmacy Services, Pharnacovigilance

Availability of essential medicines is one of the essential building blocks of healthcare system. Essential medicines are those which satisfy the primary healthcare need of the population. These are intended to be available within the context of functioning of health system at all times, in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage form with assured quality, and at a price that the individual and community can afford.

Careful selection of a limited range of essential medicines of high quality can provide better management towards judicious use of health resources.

National standard treatment guidelines navigate selection of essential medicine with the expectation to ensure their availability with reference to proper use of medicine within the healthcare system while reducing its cost.

National Essential Medicine List NEML is a critical document which provides and supports quality of health services across the country. The list is based on disease prevalence, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness and parameters adapted by W.H.O in its latest edition of Model List of Essential Medicines.

Health sector in general and Pharmaceutical sector in particular is expected to seriously consider adopting this list as a way forward to guide Provincial Governments in Medicine & Pharmaceutical sector policies, the determinants of medicines access and availability. The Provincial Governments can play a pivotal role to encourage procurement and supply chain management policies based on essential medicine concepts to promote rational use of scarce public resources. Drug Regulatory Authority is committed to make all efforts to improve patient care through availability of cost efficacious, safe & quality medicines availability in the country.