Requirements for Additional Strength Biowaivers for Modified Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms in International Pharmaceutical Regulators Programme Participating Regulators and Organisations: Differences and Commonalities

Publication: J Pharm Pharm Sci
Division: PBPK

Abstract

This article describes an overview of waivers of in vivo bioequivalence studies for additional strengths in the context of the registration of modified release generic products and is a follow-up to the recent publication for the immediate release solid oral dosage forms. The current paper is based on a survey among the participating members of the Bioequivalence Working Group for Generics (BEWGG) of the International Pharmaceutical Regulators Program (IPRP) regarding this topic. Most jurisdictions consider the extrapolation of bioequivalence results obtained with one (most sensitive) strength of a product series as less straightforward for modified release products than for immediate release products. There is consensus that modified release products should demonstrate bioequivalence not only in the fasted state but also in the fed state, but differences exist regarding the necessity of additional multiple dose studies. Fundamental differences between jurisdictions are revealed regarding requirements on the quantitative composition of different strengths and the differentiation of single and multiple unit dosage forms. Differences in terms of in vitro dissolution requirements are obvious, though these are mostly related to possible additional comparative investigations rather than regarding the need for product-specific methods. As with the requirements for immediate release products, harmonization of the various regulations for modified release products is highly desirable to conduct the appropriate studies from a scientific point of view, thus ensuring therapeutic equivalence.

By Matthias Shona RoostHenrike PotthastChantal WaltherAlfredo García-ArietaIvana AbalosEduardo Agostinho Freitas FernandesGustavo Mendes Lima SantosZulema Rodríguez MartínezAndrew TamClare RodriguesDiego Alejandro Gutierrez TrianaErwin Guzmán Aurela, Nayive Rodríguez RodríguezSang Aeh ParkJayoung KimRami KarivMilly DivinskyBen JonesRyosuke KuribayashiAya MyoenzonoMiho KasugaJoy Van OudtshoornJo-Feng ChiWen-Yi HungLi-Feng HsuChristopher CraneTony JarmanApril Braddy