Browsing by discipline "Teollisuusfarmasia"

Manufacturing execution systems (MES) are computer systems which are used for controlling and automating manufacturing processes. They are increasingly adapted in pharmaceutical industry. Implementation solutions differ, however, and there is no single solution which would be the optimal one for all facilities. Each manufacturing facility has their unique properties and needs which have to be reflected in the implementation. A successful MES project will bring plenty of benefits such as more efficient use of resources and automated data transfer, but the roll out phase might turn to be problematic if the processes of the organization have not been analysed thoroughly enough at decision making. This creates the need for systematic analysis of possible to-be implementation scenarios which is based on the value-drivers of the organization and considers the decision from multiple viewpoints. This study presents a holistic value driver-based framework with a mathematical weighing method to allow for a systematic and scientifically justified decision for identification of the optimal implementation depth of equipment management (EQM) in MES. A Delphi study method was utilized in this study to create the framework. The framework was developed based on literature and brainstorming sessions with experts and validated by means of a Delphi questionnaire round with expert panel consisting of professionals representing the major stakeholders of MES system in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Classical additive weighing method was applied to create a mathematical basis for valuation and comparison of the scenarios. The robustness of mathematical method was tested by means of a sensitivity analysis. A benchmarking survey was done to obtain information on current implementation solutions and decisions leading to current situation. The presented method not only addresses the costs but also takes into account intangible factors. Intangible factors include aspects such as good manufacturing practice (GMP) quality and user acceptance which are not directly transferable into quantitative units but are crucial both for pharmaceutical industry and the success of the implementation project. The framework describes the decision in the form of a value tree with three main branches, namely GMP, cost and process&organization which cover the main viewpoints important for the decision. The presented method also allows the weighing of different factors according to current needs of the facility and decision in question. Hence, the presented framework leads the decision maker through a systematic and comprehensive analysis of different to-be scenarios for EQM implementation. The benchmarking survey identified three major factors of a successful MES implementation, namely effort in design phase, well-defined processes and close discussion with production. The value drivers valued highest by the expert panelists were related to GMP quality. As a use case, the presented framework was applied in a parenterals clinical manufacturing facility to evaluate six different to-be scenarios and based on the results one of them was selected by the management to be implemented. The results from the use case indicate that the framework is a valuable tool in a decision making process, and encourage the further utilization of the framework in future implementation decisions.

Drug shortages have become a global issue and reasons for drug shortages are several and multifactorial. Definition of drug shortages is not unambiguous. However, in literature are numerous different suggestions to determine the phenomenon of drug shortages. This study provides more focused information on drug shortages and the reasons behind them. The study was performed in cooperation with Orion Corporation. The aim of this study was to explore the in-depth reasons behind medicine shortages from the perspective of one European pharmaceutical company with special focus on Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Interviews of the company employees were used to achieve this aim and build a few case studies. Further the aim was to investigate in-depth reasons for drug shortages using data from case studies. Case studies were provided by Orion since this enabled use of unpublished information compare the case studies with relevant legal and regulatory measures in the European pharmaceutical framework which influence drug shortages. Reviewing available data from literature and from EUDRA GMDP database for drug shortages and investigate if the data is detailed enough to understand in-depth reasons for drug shortages. Based on the interview results the most common reasons behind drug shortages in Europe are mainly pharmaceutical market structure 38%. It contains many different factors, such as small stock size, local and foreign manufacturing issues, logistics and distribution issues, changes in demand and regulatory issues. However, the manufacturing (33%) or regulatory (29%) reasons are almost as numerous as pharmaceutical market structure issues. Pharmaceutical market structure issues include most common reasons which are categorized in supply-related and demand-related reasons. According to this study supply-related reasons are more common (73%) than demand-related reasons (27%). Some reasons behind drug shortages overlap and often cause a domino effect, whilst other are unique or stand alone, like reasons resulting from natural disasters. The results of this study seem generalizable because the EUDRA GDMP database shows same results and case studies illustrative same reasons behind drug shortages. This study provides more focused information on drug shortages and the reasons behind them from the perspective of pharmaceutical company and authorities.

Increasing number of companion animals and market for companion animal drug products will bring about new challenges to the companion animal drug product marketing. Thus animal health companies have to rethink determinants of companion animal drug launch success so that their products could differ from other similar products. The aim of this study was to examine if the dominant approach of the new product launch (product-centered-, traditional sales and marketing- and strategic orientations approach) also more popular than relationship approach in the animal drug product marketing. The approach was chosen because big differences exist between the animal- and the human drug marketing. In addition it was researched how the recent changes of the animal health field has been effected to animal drug product marketing. The study was addressed to animal health marketing experts in Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy by electronic questionnaire. A previously generated questionnaire was employed. It was used after slight modifications and repiloting. According to the study it was found that there is dominating the same procedures as generally in industries in the launch of veterinary drug products. However, relationship approach, which emphasizes the importance of customer relationships, is quite important in the launch of a new veterinary drug product. Based on the results, relationship approach complements dominant approach in the launch of veterinary drug product. Based on answers given to the open-ended questions, veterinary drug companies consider current chances positive and aim to take advantage of the changes. Based on this study at least the senior management of veterinary drug companies seems to be aware the importance of relationship activities. From the results it can be seen that the relationship activities have not been utilized in the launches as much as it would be potential. Veterinary drug companies lean too much on that the company's products will be succeed with very low relationship activities because veterinary drug market is small and they have much less competitors than the human drug companies has. In addition there is working primarily high experienced people in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, which has an impact that marketing practices are not updated easily.

If pharmaceutical quality system fails it causes a hazard to the patient’s health, but also to the manufacturer’s economy. For this reason, the manufacturer’s must make sure their products comply with the quality requirements placed by authorities. To ensure the compliance, the authorities perform inspections at the manufacturing sites. If the site does not comply with the quality requirements, the authority will take necessary measures. The goal of this study was to find what type of quality issues FDA and the authorities within EU have observed while inspecting manufacturing facilities, which of these issues are most common, in which countries the sites companies with issues have been located. The results were assessed from European pharmaceutical company’s point of view. The data for the study was collected from Eudra GMDP database and from FDA Warning letters sent by FDA headquarters from years 2015-2017. Qualitative analysis of content was chosen as the method of analysis. The collected data was classified into main classes and subclasses based on reoccurring topics. The classes were transferred in tables to compare how which of the classes were most common. Most often the facilities with quality issues were located in China and India. The authorities also perform a lot of quality inspections in these countries, but that alone doesn’t explain the large number of quality issues in these countries. The number of sites with quality issues per inspection was also high. Both the authorities of EU countries and FDA had mainly observed similar issues. Often quality issues were related to data integrity. Other common themes were quality management system, cleaning of equipment and facilities and analytical methods. There were also some differences in the observed issues. E.g. FDA had rarely observed issues related to personnel while EU authorities had observed such issues frequently. Quality issues which had led to measures by authorities were often related to larger problems with the quality management or to very basic quality actions. If company doesn’t have well-functioning quality organization, the quality system is often inadequate also in other ways. By comparing their own activities with the issues observed at other companies, it is easier for a company to improve their quality and avoid major quality issuer before they occur.

Twin screw granulation (TSG) has gained considerable interest as a continuous wet granulation method in the pharmaceutical industry and has been studied the most. However, there is still lack of understanding how continuous granulation affects the material compaction behavior even though it has been noticed in several dry and batch wet granulation studies that the granulation process has an influence on the final tablet strength. Thus, studies on the material compactability and tabletability after continuous wet granulation are relevant for the overall understanding of twin screw granulation process and its effect on material behavior in tableting. Hence, the main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of continuous twin screw granulation on the compactability and tabletability of commonly used excipients. Additionally, the impact of binder on the compaction behavior of materials was examined. Furthermore, the suitability of two "loss in compressibility" models i.e. the Unified Compaction Curve (UCC) model and a porosity model to predict the loss in tablet strength after twin screw granulation and for the materials used was assessed. Earlier, the models have been applied to dry and batch wet granulations only. Full factorial design of three variables (binder type, binder addition method and the number of kneading elements) with two levels was conducted for the ConsiGma1 twin screw granulation of formulations containing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), mannitol or anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (DCPA) as the main excipient and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as binder. Magnesium stearate was added as lubricant after granulation prior to tableting. In addition to the full factorial design, granulation with PVP, dry binder addition and four kneading elements was repeated for each main excipient. In total this made 27 experiments. The granules were dried and milled after granulation and all the batches were tableted. Additionally, all the formulations were direct compressed in order to be able to detect the change in compactability and tabletability after granulation. Torque of the granulation was determined as well as bulk density and particle size distribution of the granules. Additionally, the tensile strength and porosity of the tablets were analysed. Tabletability and compactability were determined based on the compaction pressure and the obtained tensile strength and porosity values of the tablets. Furthermore, parameters (PWG, TWG and εWG) describing the loss in compressibility models were calculated. MCC experienced loss in compactability and tabletability after twin screw granulation due to hornification effect. On the other hand, the compaction behavior of mannitol improved due to the formation of porous granules. The compactability of DCPA decreased and the tabletability increased. However, the change was only moderate presumably due to brittle nature of DCPA. Additionally, the binder type had an effect of the compaction behavior of the materials, PVP producing stronger tablets compared with the less hydrophilic HPC. However, the binder addition method played only a small role in modifying the compaction behavior. The UCC model was applicable to MCC as loss in tabletability was detected. Thus, the model can be used to predict tablet tensile strength when MCC is granulated with twin screw granulator. Additionally, the UCC model can be used to design the granulation process to achieve a target tensile strength based on small scale preliminary studies thus reducing the resources needed for case-studies. However, the UCC model was not feasible to mannitol and DCPA because they experienced improvement in tabletability after twin screw granulation. The porosity model was applicable to MCC and DCPA but not to mannitol as it showed improvement in compactability. The porosity model described the loss in compactability of MCC only moderately due to lack of tensile strength data points and the linearity of the tensile strength-porosity relationship. However, the model described well the loss in compactability of DCPA at tablet porosities achieved with compaction pressures used in industry. As a conclusion, the results demonstrate that twin screw granulation can have a significant impact on the final tablet strength and that the compaction behavior of the formulation can change either way depending on the used materials. Furthermore, the small influence of the binder addition method on the tablet strength indicates that the time consuming binder dissolving process step can be excluded from the tablet production chain enabling continuous manufacturing with twin screw granulation.

This study aims to address how easily an individual with no prior inhaler experience can learn to use a dry powder inhaler (DPI) through video education. This is a comparative study of four DPIs (Diskus, Easyhaler, Ellipta and Turbuhaler). Different properties affecting ease of use, patient preference as well as educational videos as a method of providing inhaler instructions were investigated. The study used a triangular methodology. The sample consisted of 31 individuals (24-35 years). All participants were considered inhaler naïve. After watching the video education material for a particular inhaler the participants' demonstrated the use of it. Educational videos for all four inhalers were watched and use of all placebo inhalers was demonstrated in a random order. These demonstrations were videotaped. The demonstrations were thereafter checked against a predefined checklist and all mistakes were recorded. Only 33 % of inhaler demonstrations were completed without the participants making any mistakes that could compromise the efficacy of the inhaled medication in a real-life situation. The frequency of error varied greatly between different types of inhalers. Ellipta proved to be most often used correctly with 55 % demonstrating use without making any mistakes. This was closely followed by Diskus for which 48 % demonstrated correct use. The difference between the average error frequency for Ellipta and Diskus was statistically insignificant. With Easyhaler 19 % percent of participants were able to demonstrate correct use, the corresponding percentage for Turbuhaler was 16 %. When comparing participants' demonstrations for Easyhaler and Turbuhaler, the difference in average error frequency between the devices were not statistically significant. The average frequency of error was lower when using Ellipta in comparison to Easyhaler and Turbuhaler (statistically significant). The same indications were found when comparing average frequency of error for Diskus, to those for Easyhaler and Turbuhaler. Comparing the participants self-reported correct use against the actual numbers it is clear that participants often thought they were using the inhaler correctly when they in fact were not. When asked to rank the inhalers from most preferred to least preferred, Ellipta emerged as a favorite. Turbuhaler received the second highest scores, Diskus the third and Easyhaler was least preferred. However, only the difference between preference scores for Ellipta and Easyhaler was deemed statistically significant. The high frequency of error suggests that even though participants generally considered the inhalers intuitive and easy to use, they would have required more comprehensive inhaler education in order to achieve correct inhaler technique. Further, the results indicate that video demonstrations are not ideal for providing inhaler education for first time inhalers users. The most prominent problem with video education is that it provides no feedback to the user regarding their inhaler technique. This may present real problems as the results of this study show that participants tended to overestimate their own inhaler technique. Patient education plays a central role in asthma care and needs to be given proper attention even though the inhalers might be considered intuitive and easy to operate. Interesting areas for future research include investigating interactive learning videos as a way of improving video education on inhaler technique.

Organogels refer to gels whose liquid phase is composed of an organic solvent instead of water. Compared to hydrogels it is estimated that oil based organogels, alias oleogels, are able to improve the solubility and bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drugs and also to promote the stability of the easily water-degradable drugs. Furthermore, it has been estimated that compared to fluid oil based products organogels are able, especially in veterinary medicine, to facilitate the administration of the drugs and other nutritive substances by guaranteeing more precise and more stable administration platform. The purpose of this work was to develop and to optimize the composition and the manufacturing process of the organogel based nutritional product for pets. Fish oil and solid active pharmaceutical ingredients were used as active components of the nutritional product but in addition for operating as a source of fatty acids fish oil also functioned as a liquid phase of the organogel formulation. In this work the fish oils were thickened with colloidal silicon dioxide. In addition to the silica different surface active agents; krill oil, lecithin or tocopherol; were also added to some of the formulations in order to enhance the gelation property of the colloidal silicon dioxide. Systematic design of experiments was utilized in the planning of the organogel formulation test series. Two different silicon dioxide grades and seven different surface active agents were used in this work. The three-dimensional structure of the organogel samples were examined by Cryo-TEM. The rheological properties of the organogel formulations were determined by dynamic rotation rheometer one week and 3 months after the preparation of the organogel samples. On the basis of the observations that were done in this work, certain levels of krill oil and lecithin grades Phosal® 35 SB, Phosal® 53 MCT and Phosal® 75 SA were able to enhance the gelation property of the silica-fish oil mixtures compared to the formulations that contained only plain silica or silica-tocopherol mixtures. Especially krill oil was found to be able to enhance the thickening effect of the silica-fish oil mixtures even when small concentrations and low shear rates were used whereas either high silica contents or high shear rates were needed to thicken the pure fish oil-silica mixtures. Although krill oil and lecithin grades Phosal® 35 SB, Phosal® 53 MCT and Phosal® 75 SA were, in certain concentration levels, able to enhance the thickening effect of the silica-based fish oil mixtures the predemands of the paste-like consistency, solidity and 2 years stability time were not fulfilled as desired. On the basis of the observations that were done in the pre-tests, it is however possible that either by using different krill oil and fish oil combinations or by using higher shear methods it could be possible to form the desired, stiff, paste-like, stable organogels at least with the help of krill oil and colloidal silicon dioxide.

The pet medication industry is growing but there are still challenges especially in feline medication. Palatable flavours, efficient taste masking technologies and easily administrable dosage forms are needed to facilitate feline medication. Based on the literature review, there is only little information about cat's preference to individual flavours. The methods for palatability testing should be improved to achieve reliable results. Most common taste masking technologies are flavouring and tablet coating. In experimental section different flavours for taste masking were studied. Five main flavours were selected: phenylalanine, leucine and methionine as possibly good flavours and arginine and denatonium benzoate as bad flavours. In preformulation experiments tableting characteristics, thermal behaviour and crystal structure of flavours were analysed. The aim was also to study their possible incompatibilities with tablet excipients. The main compatilibility study method was X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), but differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also used. Excipient povidone (PVP) was incompatible with nearly all of the main flavours. The use of lactose as an excipient was excluded because of the risk of the Maillard reaction. In tableting studies a tablet mass containing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), crospovidone, talc and sodium stearyl fumarate was produced. Minitablets of diameter 3 mm without any flavours were compressed. Also minitablets with flavours phenylalanine and denatonium benzoate were compressed. Minitablets complied with the European Pharmacopoeia tests for uniformity of mass, disintegration and friability. However, characterization and handling of minitablets was found to be challenging due to very small size of the tablets. Minitablets are a promising technology for facilitating feline medication in the future.

The national legislation, based on EU Directive 93/42, has regulated the high-risk medical devices in Europe to this day. It requires that in order to enter the market, the device must be safe, suitable for the intended use and acceptable in performance. The demonstration of clinical efficacy is not required. The information on which clinical evidence is based, is not publicly available, as clinical evaluation data and the results of a clinical trial are not required as a condition of market access in Europe. This has given the opportunity for manufacturers for faster and more cost-effective pathway to bring the medical devices to market in Europe. This has boosted the activity of device industry in Europe. However, the weaknesses of European legislation are considered to be one of the reasons caused the large-scale device scandals (lack of safety and effectiveness) in the early 2000s. As a result, a new EU Regulation 2027/745 on medical devices has been created and will enter into force in all Member States in May 2021. The aim of this study was to create an overview of the clinical evidence on high-risk medical devices marketed in Europe and how the issue has been investigated. A systematic literature review was used as the method in this study. The challenge was that there was lack of material available on the subject in question. This is probably due to the limited availability on clinical information of marketed devices, as a public database (Eudamed) does not exist yet in Europe and the device manufacturer may not publish the results of clinical studies. This issue has been investigated by using some reimbursement assessment decisions could be found from few European countries. The level of clinical evidence of devices in the United States has been extensively investigated. Medical devices marketed in Europe have been submitted for registration to United States, so information on European devices can be found in United States public sources. This information will provide a stronger insight of the level of clinical evidence regarding the devices marketed in Europe and thus the publication has been justified to be included in this study. According to the information obtained from this study, the clinical evidence of high-risk medical devices is mostly incomplete and of poor quality. This has negative effects on physicians making treatment decisions, patients using the devices, as well as device manufacturers. Clinical trial methods do not fully comply with the gold standard and the use of other methods is not clearly justified. The requirements for new devices will be significantly tightened and the clinical evidence of already approved devices will need to be updated due to the new device regulation. Clinical data will be publicly available in Eudamed database in the near future. Guidance from Notified Bodies and Authorities regarding alternative methods for clinical trials expected to be also clarified. New requirements of clinical evidence will increase manufacturer´s costs. It may also be the case that, clinical evidence updates of current devices cannot be implemented from a safety point of view. It is likely that important devices will exit the European market and the industry will suffer. An agreement should be reached together with authorities and industry to ensure self-sufficient European device manufacturing and the promptly availability of vital devices for patients.