Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

FDA: Revision of Nitrosamine Guidance and extension of timeframe for risk assessments

On 24 February 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a revision to its September 3, 2020, Guidance for Industry, Control of Nitrosamine Impurities in Human Drugs. The revision extends the recommended timeframe for manufacturers to assess the risk of nitrosamines in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug products from 6 to 7 months.

The guidance recommends a three-step process API and drug product manufacturers should follow to detect, prevent and mitigate nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceutical products. 

The first step is assessing the risk of nitrosamine impurities in APIs, marketed products, and products under approved and pending applications. If an API or drug product is determined to be at risk, manufacturers should perform the second step: conducting confirmatory testing for the presence of nitrosamine impurities. 

To ensure the safety of the U.S. drug supply, the guidance recommends that manufacturers should conclude the first step, the risk assessment of approved or marketed products, within 6 months of guidance publication. Through today’s revision, FDA extends the recommended timeframe for completion of risk assessments to March 31, 2021. Manufacturers do not need to submit risk assessment documents to the agency, but they should retain these documents so they are available if requested. 


Sources:

FDA: Control of Nitrosamine Impurities in Human Drugs – Guidance for Industry

FDA: Information about Nitrosamine Impurities in Medications

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:

EMA: New Q&A on Product Lifecycle Management (PLCM)

EMA: New Q&A on Product Lifecycle Management (PLCM)

The EMA has published new Questions & Answers on the use of the Product Lifecycle Management (PLCM) document, clarifying its role within the EU variations framework for post-approval quality changes.
Read more
EMA: New Q&A for Co-Processed Excipients

EMA: New Q&A for Co-Processed Excipients

The EMA has published new Questions & Answers on co-processed excipients (CoPEs) used in solid oral dosage forms, introducing a harmonised, risk-based regulatory approach applicable to human and veterinary medicines.

Read more
What is the Data Lifecycle?

What is the Data Lifecycle?

Here's the answer:
Read more
GMP Regulations Report 2025

GMP Regulations Report 2025

What do the regulatory developments mean for your professional environment? Which requirements have a direct impact on your day-to-day work, and where is there an urgent need for action? Our GMP Regulations Report 2025 provides a clear structure, practical explanations, and the most important regulatory developments of 2025 – concise, well-organized, and relevant.
Read more
EU: Parliament Approves Regulation Proposal on Critical Medicines

EU: Parliament Approves Regulation Proposal on Critical Medicines

The European Parliament has approved regulatory measures aimed at strengthening the availability and supply of critical medicines in the EU.
Read more
What is a gas?

What is a gas?

You can view the answer here:
Read more
Previous
Next