FDA Provisions

GUIDELINE FOR DRUG MASTER FILES

GUIDELINE FOR DRUG MASTER FILES

This guideline is intended to provide DMF holders with procedures acceptable to the agency for preparing and submitting a DMF The guideline discusses • types of DMF's, • the information needed in each type, • the format of submissions to a DMF, • the administrative procedures governing review of DMF's, and • the obligations of the DMF holder.

GUIDELINE FOR DRUG MASTER FILES

DMF's are generally created to allow a party other than the holder of the DMF to reference material without disclosing to

that party the contents of the file.

Open part Closed part

Definitions

Agency means the FDA Agent or representative means any person who is appointed by a DMF holder to serve as the contact for the holder Applicant means any person who submits an application or abbreviated application or an amendment or supplement to them to obtain FDA approval of a new drug or an antibiotic drug and any other person who owns an approved application Holder means a person who owns a DMF Letter of authorization means a written statement by the holder or designated agent or representative permitting FDA to refer to information in the DMF in support of another person’s submission

Generic Drug

 A generic drug is identical, or bioequivalent to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use.

 A generic is similar in its therapeutic properties to a branded formulation and comes into the market when the latter goes off patent.

Generic Market

The opening up of the generics market presents attractive opportunities for Indian bulk drug manufacturers The advantage of targeting the US market is the price realisation for generics. The price is much higher compared to what companies would get in the domestic market.

Indian manufacturers have filed a higher number of Drug Master Files (DMF) with the US FDA in recent times

DMF (Drug Master File)

A Drug Master File (DMF) is a submission to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that may be used to provide confidential detailed information about facilities, processes, or articles used in the manufacturing, processing, packaging, and storing of one or more human drugs A DMF filing is required for companies to supply bulk drugs to the US market

DMF (Drug Master File)

Technical contents of a DMF are reviewed in connection with the review of an IND, NDA, ANDA, or an Export Application.

The information contained in the DMF may be used to support an Investigational New Drug Application (IND), a New Drug Application (NDA), an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), another DMF, an Export Application, or amendments and supplements to any of these A DMF is NOT a substitute for an IND, NDA, ANDA, or Export Application

DMF filings About 10 Indian companies have made more than 10 DMF filings up to the second quarter of 2003

DMF filings

Cipla Ranbaxy Dr Reddy’s Wockhardt IPCA Unichem Neuland Cadila Lupin Shasun 53 48 44 32 19 19 16 15 14 12

Types of DMF filings

Type I Manufacturing Site, Facilities, Operating Procedures, and Personnel (Plant information) Type II Drug Substance, Drug Substance Intermediate, and Material Used in Their Preparation, or Drug Product Type III Packaging Material Type IV Excipient, Colorant, Flavor, Essence, or Material Used in Their Preparation Type V FDA Accepted Reference Information (other clinical toxicological and sterile manufacturing information)

Abbreviations

“A” = Active “I” = Inactive “N” = Not an assigned number “P” = DMF Pending Filing Review

Submissions to the Drug Master Files

   Each DMF submission should contain a transmittal letter administrative submission information about the the specific information to be included in the DMF (technical information) The DMF must be in the English language

Transmittal Letters

  Original Submissions Amendments Administrative Information  Original Submissions  Amendments

Type II Drug substance, drug substance intermediate, and Material Used in Their Preparation, or Drug Product A Type II DMF should, in general, be limited to a single drug intermediate, drug substance, drug product, or type of material used in their preparation.

Summary of all significant steps in the manufacturing and controls of the drug intermediate or substance.

Content of a DMF

Company profile Letter of submission/transmittal Batch formula BPR Key RM/FP/Intermediates Quality data Stability data Specifications and test methods Analytical method validation

General information and suggestions

Stability- Stability study design, data, interpretation, and other information should be submitted, when applicable Format, assembly, and delivery An original and duplicate are to be submitted for all DMF submissions The original and duplicate copies must be collated, fully assembled, and individually jacketed

Letter of Authorisation to the FDA

The DMF will be reviewed only when it is referenced in an application Before FDA can review DMF information in support of an application, the DMF holder must submit in duplicate to the DMF a letter of authorization permitting FDA to reference the DMF.

Drug Master File Review A DMF IS NEVER APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED The agency will review information in a DMF only when an IND sponsor, an applicant for an NDA, ANDA, or Export Application, or another DMF holder incorporates material in the DMF by reference. If FDA reviewers find deficiencies in the information provided in a DMF, a letter describing the deficiencies is sent to the DMF holder. At the same time, FDA will notify the person who relies on the information in the deficient DMF that additional information is needed in the supporting DMF

.

Environmental Assessment

Type II, Type III, and Type IV DMF's should contain a commitment by the firm that its facilities will be operated in compliance with applicable environmental laws