What is Quality by Design (QbD) in Regulatory Affairs?

Quality by Design (QbD) is a systematic approach to pharmaceutical development that emphasizes product and process understanding and process control, based on sound science and quality risk management . It is a concept first outlined by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) in Q8(R2), "Pharmaceutical Development," and has since become a fundamental principle in regulatory affairs , significantly impacting the way pharmaceutical products are developed and manufactured.

What is the Importance of QbD in Regulatory Affairs?

QbD is critical in regulatory affairs for several reasons:

Enhanced Understanding and Control:It fosters a deep understanding of the product and manufacturing process, which leads to a more robust and controlled process. This reduces variability, improves quality, and ensures consistent product performance.

Regulatory Flexibility: Regulatory bodies favor QbD approaches because they provide a clear understanding of the process and product, allowing for more informed decision-making. It can lead to regulatory flexibilities such as reduced submission requirements and faster approvals.

Risk Management: By identifying and controlling potential risks in the development and manufacturing process, QbD helps in mitigating product recalls and compliance issues, thereby protecting public health.

What are the Roles and Functions of QbD in Regulatory Affairs?

What are the Roles and Functions of QbD in Regulatory Affairs?

Product Development: QbD principles guide the product development process, from identifying the target product profile (TPP) to defining the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the drug. This ensures that the product meets the desired quality standards and patient needs.

Process Design: QbD is instrumental in designing manufacturing processes. By understanding the relationship between process parameters and product quality, companies can design processes that consistently produce high-quality products.

Risk Assessment:Through tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), QbD helps in the systematic identification, assessment, and prioritization of potential risks in product development and manufacturing.

Regulatory Submission: QbD elements are integrated into regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, NDA, ANDA) through the Quality Overall Summary (QOS). This demonstrates to glonal regulators that the product is designed to meet its intended quality attributes and that the manufacturing process is controlled to ensure consistent production.

Lifecycle Management: QbD principles apply not only during development but throughout the product lifecycle. Continuous improvement efforts and post-market changes are managed within the QbD framework, ensuring sustained product quality and compliance.