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New strategy for N-nitrosamine impurities in Ph. Eur. monographs
At its 177th session in November 2023, the European Pharmacopoeia Commission (EPC) approved the strategy for N-nitrosamine impurities in individual monographs. Regarding active substances The EPC agreed to delete the Production section covering N-nitrosamine impurities from existing individual...
Validating analytical procedures for determining nitrosamines in pharmaceuticals: European OMCLs participate in collaborative study with international regulatory agencies
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) and representatives of official medicines control laboratories (OMCLs) in Europe, as well as the US Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia, have co-authored an...
Risk of the presence of mutagenic azido impurities in losartan active substance
In April 2021, the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) reported that it had received information about the possible presence of potentially mutagenic azido impurities in certain sartan active substances. Investigations requested by the EDQM indicated that only a...
General chapter 2.5.42. N-Nitrosamines in active substances and revised sartan monographs
In February 2021, the Ph. Eur. Commission revised the five monographs on sartans with a tetrazole ring, namely Valsartan (2423), Losartan potassium (2232), Irbesartan (2465), Candesartan cilexetil (2573) and Olmesartan medoxomil (2600), using the rapid revision process. The Production section was...
New method for determination of polar N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published an analytical method for the determination of polar N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products, which was validated within the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs). The method is...
Seven new reference standards available for the analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities
To support the implementation of the newly adopted general chapter on the analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities in active substances (2.5.42., previously listed as 2.4.36.), seven reference standards have been established and are available from the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines...
Ph. Eur. Commission adopts a new general chapter for the analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities
The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) Commission has adopted a new general chapter on the analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities in active substances (2.5.42, previously listed as 2.4.36). The general chapter should be seen as an analytical toolbox that proposes three procedures relying on more or...
Nitrosamines risk assessment: update for CEP holders
In October 2019, the EDQM requested companies holding CEPs to perform a risk assessment of their chemically synthesised APIs with regards a potential nitrosamines formation, using quality risk management principles. It was highlighted that the factors to be taken into account were outlined in the...
Last chance to comment: analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities
The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) published its new general chapter on the analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities in active substances (2.4.36) for a 3-month public consultation in Pharmeuropa 32.2. The closing date for public comments was 30 June 2020. Given the exceptional circumstances due...
Ph. Eur. launches a public consultation on a new general chapter for the analysis of N-nitrosamines
The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) is seeking feedback on its new general chapter on the analysis of N-nitrosamine impurities in active substances (2.4.36). In line with the Decision of the European Commission on 2 April 2019 (Annex I to the European Commission Decision C(2019) 2698 final) and...
Nitrosamine contamination: new web page on EDQM response
A new web page providing centralised access to all information related to nitrosamine contamination is now available on the EDQM website. It presents a general overview of the issue and provides details of the actions taken in the different sectors of activity concerned: the European...
Detection of N-nitrosamine impurities: the Ph. Eur. launches a public consultation on the revised general monograph Substances for pharmaceutical use (2034)
The Ph. Eur. Commission proposes to revise the general monograph on Substances for pharmaceutical use (2034). This proposal has been made further to the European Commission referral C(2019)2698 of 2 April 2019 and the review initiated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in September 2019 under...
Announcement to all CEP holders for synthesised APIs regarding presence of nitrosamines
Since July 2018, EDQM has been actively involved in activities related to the detection and control of nitrosamine impurities in sartan active substances (APIs) with a tetrazole ring for which there are CEPs. These activities have included contacting CEP holders to request data and corrective...
Update on the review of CEP applications for sartans and the availability of test methods for nitrosamines
Following the detection of the impurity NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) in valsartan at the end of June, the EDQM has conducted a complete review of the manufacturing information submitted in all Certificate of suitability (CEP) applications for valsartan and other structurally related active...
New OMCL method for simultaneous determination of NDMA and NDEA in sartans
Since early July 2018 Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCLs) of the General European OMCL Network (GEON) have been involved in investigations and actions to address the issues related to the detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) potentially present in valsartan and other sartan...
OMCLs release three methods for determination of NDMA in sartans
Since early July 2018, OMCLs have been involved in investigations and actions to address the issues related to the detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in valsartan. The Network has meanwhile developed methods for the specific testing of nitrosamines in sartans on the basis different...
Update on detection of nitrosamines in valsartan and validated testing method
The EDQM continues investigating and defining actions to address the presence of all kinds of nitrosamines, including NDMA and NDEA in valsartan and other sartans which may be affected. As mentioned in a previous press release, the EDQM has contacted those manufacturers holding CEPs (Certificates...
Update on EDQM’s actions following detection of impurity in valsartan
The EDQM is continuing the investigations and actions which started in July 2018 to address the issue related to the detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in a source of active substance valsartan.
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