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Deadline postponed for the second targeted consultation on Annex 1
Those who have already submitted their comments are welcome to revise their contribution if they would like to. Only their latest comments will be considered.
The European Commission remain at your disposal in case you would have any further questions at : SANTE-REVISION-OF-ANNEX-1@ec.europa.eu
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Geneva, 20 February 2020:
Period of consultation:
From 20 February 2020 to 20 July 2020.
Objective of the consultation:
Annex 1 was first published in 1971, to ensure sterility of medicinal products placed on the market for the benefits of patients.
Since then it has undergone a number of targeted updates but, until now it has not undergone a full review. This revision is intended to add clarity, introduce the principles of Quality Risk Management to allow for the inclusion of new technologies and innovative processes and to change the structure to a more logical flow. Key changes are:
A first consultation conducted from 20 December 2017 to 20 March 2018 allowed about 140 companies and/or organizations to comment. The joint PIC/S-EMA drafting group (with WHO participation) processed more than 6200 lines of comments.
Due to widespread interest from industry following the first consultation, and because of substantial modifications introduced in several sections, the European Commission (EC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), WHO and PIC/S have jointly agreed to engage with stakeholders a second targeted consultation on the updated draft guidance (version 12) focused on the sections and/or significantly modified paragraphs that raised most concerns by stakeholders.
The second targeted consultation aims at collecting experience from the sectors on certain manufacturing steps. PIC/S therefore expect to receive contribution from the associations representing the sectors.
Acknowledgment
In order to maintain the global alignment of standards, achieving at the same time assurance for the highest quality, the document will be, in parallel, subject to a second joint targeted consultation by the EC / EMA, WHO and PIC/S.
Joint Consultation Process
In line with the PIC/S-EMA Harmonised Consultation Procedure, comments will be collected by the EC as well as a number of organisations representing relevant stakeholders, which have agreed to receive all the comments of this second consultation from their members, to compile and send the comments to the European Commission. For the list of stakeholders, please refer to the EC website (link provided below), in particular the section on “Targeted Stakeholders”.
To download the consultation document and the template required to submit comments as well as for the process on how to submit comments, please refer to the EC website by clicking “here” - see in particular the section on “How to submit a contribution”.
The consultation document is also published on the PIC/S website under the section Drafts on the page “Publications”
Geneva, 15 January 2025:
The PIC/S Committee has granted the status of Associated Partner Organisation to the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
MoreWith a shared dedication to safeguarding public health and safety, PIC/S and AUDA-NEPAD have decided to establish a cooperation agreement in the field of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and quality systems for pharmaceutical products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).
The scope of the cooperation agreement includes :
With the active contribution of other stakeholders, collaboration activities will aim at supporting capacity and confidence building among African NRA and at guiding them on their journey toward becoming PIC/S Participating Authorities.
The agreement is also a great opportunity for both partners to develop exchanges of information and share experiences.
This partnership reflects PIC/S commitment to strengthening global harmonization and cooperation in the field of GMP.
We look forward to working closely with our partners and stakeholders to achieve these goals and foster a more robust regulatory environment worldwide.
An official welcome will be given to AUDA-NEPAD at the next PIC/S Committee meeting, which will take place in Geneva on 14 and 15 April 2025.
Geneva, 8 January 2025:
The Department of Health and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong are pleased to host the 2025 PIC/S Seminar on “Advanced technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing” in Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China) from 5-7 November 2025, preceded by the PIC/S Committee meeting.
The Seminar is the main annual international training event by PIC/S which is open to GMP Inspectors from PIC/S Participating Authorities, (Pre-)Applicants, Partners and non-PIC/S Member Medicines Regulatory Authorities.
Geneva, 6 January 2025:
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our esteemed colleague Boon Meow Hoe.
Boon was an emblematic figure of PIC/S for more than 25 years, occupying various positions in our structure, as Chair of course, but also as a member of the Executive Bureau.
He played a key role in the creation of the PIC/S Inspection Academy (PIA), which he continued to support in his role as Chair of the Subcommittee on Training. His imprint on our family is indelible.
Boon's passing is a terrible loss both on a human and professional level and we can only bow before his memory. We will all remember a smiling, courteous, efficient Man, always ready to find solutions. He gave his all for his country but also for us with a vision that was always present to ensure the development and sustainability of PIC/S. He always worked with the same target of ensuring protection of Public Health.
May he rest in peace and live on in our memories, for ever.
Our deepest condolences to his Family and to the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore (HSA).
Geneva, 13 December 2024:
PIC/S has published the following two guidance documents for inspectors: "Guidance on Remote Assessments" (PI 056-1) and "Aide Memoire on Remote Assessments" (PI 057-1). These documents have been prepared by the PIC/S Working Group on Remote Assessment, led by Jenny Hantzinikolas (Australia / TGA), and will enter into force on 1 January 2025. They are available for downloading on the page "Publications".
Geneva, 20 November 2024:
PIC/S is pleased to announce that in May 2024 it has been awarded a 3-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
MoreThis funding will provide PIC/S with the necessary resources to further its mission to improve public health by leading development and implementation of inspection frameworks for human and veterinary medicines through harmonisation of standards and offering world class training to regulatory inspectors around the globe.
The PIC/S project workstreams supported by this grant will aim at strengthening regulatory inspection standards to facilitate improved access to quality medicines in African countries by preparing a number of African National Regulatory Authorities for entry into PIC/S - through the PIC/S pre-accession process - as well as foster exchanges and co-operation between PIC/S, the upcoming African Medicines Agency (AMA) and its related members.
PIC/S looks forward to the possibilities that this grant will bring and to the impact it will have globally thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.