Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

EMA: Report on Nitrosamine Impurities

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures – Human (CMDh) have jointly published a comprehensive report on nitrosamine impurities in human medicines, summarising key regulatory and scientific developments since their discovery in 2018.

Initially detected in certain blood pressure medicines (sartans), nitrosamine impurities have since raised significant safety and quality concerns across multiple drug classes. The newly released report outlines the European medicines regulatory network’s response to this issue and sets the course for future regulatory action.

Key Highlights from the Report:

  • Scientific Reviews: The report reflects on milestone evaluations, including Article 31 reviews of sartans and ranitidine, and the Article 5(3) review of all human medicines under Regulation (EC) No 726/2004.
  • Regulatory Framework: It describes the evolving regulatory strategies to detect, assess, and control nitrosamine impurities.
  • Scientific Progress: Advances in the understanding of nitrosamines’ quality and safety profiles are presented.
  • International Collaboration: EMA and CMDh emphasise their harmonised EU approach and ongoing cooperation with global partners, industry stakeholders, and healthcare professionals

Source:

EMA: Nitrosamine impurities in human medicines - Report


Meet the GMP Compliance Adviser

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be interested in the following articles:

News: EMA

EMA Clarifies Batch Numbering for Parallel-Traded Medicines

EMA updated its GMP/GDP Q&A collection by revising the answer to Question 4 concerning Chapter 5 of the EU GMP Guide. It explains which batch numbers should appear on the packaging of parallel-traded medicines.

Read more
Question of the Week | GMP-Verlag

Why is it Important to use Consistent Microbiological Air Monitoring Methods in Pharmaceutical Cleanrooms?

Here's the answer:
Read more
Cleaning Validation: When PDE Reports and the Worst-Case Selection do not Align

Cleaning Validation: When PDE Reports and the Worst-Case Selection do not Align

Robust PDE reports form the basis of risk-based cleaning validation. This article highlights common deficiencies identified during GMP inspections and explains how they can be avoided.

Read more
News: Europe

EDQM: New Working Party on 3D-printed Medicinal Products

The European Pharmacopoeia Commission (EPC) approved the creation of a working party on 3D-printed medicinal products. Its aim is to support the development of appropriate quality standards in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).
Read more
EMA: 14 New Nitrosamines for Appendix 1

EMA: 14 New Nitrosamines for Appendix 1

Appendix 1 of EMA’s Questions and Answers on nitrosamine impurities has been updated. This appendix contains acceptable intakes (AIs) established for N-nitrosamines.
Read more
WHO: Draft Revision of its Guidelines on Quality Risk Management

WHO: Draft Revision of its Guidelines on Quality Risk Management

WHO published a revised draft of its “WHO guidelines on quality risk management”. Working document QAS/26.994 is open for public comment until 15 November 2026.
Read more
Previous
Next