Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Q. How can I verify that the balances in our laboratory are suitable for weighing
the amounts specified in a USP monograph?
A. Refer to general chapters Weights and Balances <41> and Weighing on an Analytical
Balance <1251> in the USP-NF. The procedure used to determine the suitability of
balances is indicated in Weights and Balances <41>. Note that under Weighing on an
Analytical Balance <1251>, it is stated that "...it is important for each balance to be
serviced and calibrated regularly by a specially trained internal or external service
person." Please check the index of the most recent issue of the Pharmacopeial Forum
for proposed updates of these general chapters.
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Q. How does a plastic material receive a "Class VI" classification?
A. The following is stated under general tests chapter Biological Reactivity Tests, In Vivo
<88>: "This classification is based on responses to a series of in vivo tests for which
extracts, materials, and routes of administration are specified." For example, for a
material to be classified as Class VI, the material would need to produce satisfactory
results for all of the tests listed in Table 1 of Biological Reactivity Tests, In Vivo <88>.
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Q. How are microbial limits and objectionable microorganisms determined?
A. In determining the appropriate microbial limit, the USP Analytical Microbiology
Expert Committee considers such matters as the route of administration, the form of
the product, and the source material. For example, it is never appropriate to have any
microorganisms in a product intended for injection intravenously. Therefore, you will
never see a microbial limit listed for such products. Instead, those products must meet
the test for Sterility <71>. Other products may be in a form possessing extremely low
water activity, such that microbial growth could not occur. You may not see microbial
limits provided for some of those products. Many other products, such as those
intended for oral administration, will have limits provided. Those limits are selected
such that the risk of harm to the consumer is extremely low, while being reasonable
from a manufacturing and quality control perspective. Products from botanical
sources may have higher limits due to the larger bioburden associated with the raw
materials. Again, the limits are set such that consumer risk is minimized without
creating an untenable situation for the manufacturer. Consideration is also given to
the likelihood of product spoilage. Since some products are more prone to spoilage
due to microbial contamination, limits may be set lower for these. The issues
discussed above also influence which, if any, specific organisms must be tested.
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Q. Can I use an alternative, noncompendial analytical procedure for a test specified
in a USP-NF monograph to demonstrate compliance?
A. Yes, you may use an alternative, validated method to demonstrate compliance with a
monograph. In the current USP-NF General Notices, the following is stated:
"Compliance may be determined also by the use of alternative methods, chosen for
advantages in accuracy, sensitivity, precision, selectivity or adaptability to automation
or computerized data reduction or in other special circumstances. Such alternative or
automated procedures shall be validated." However, there is a caveat to the use of
alternative methods. "Pharmacopeial standards and procedures are interrelated;
therefore, where a difference appears or in the event of a dispute, only the results
obtained by the procedure given in this Pharmacopeia is conclusive."
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Q. Do I have to perform all tests specified in a monograph to ensure compliance?
A. In the current USP-NF General Notices, it is stated: "Every compendial article in
commerce shall be so constituted that when examined in accordance with these assay
and test procedures, it meets all of the requirements in the monograph defining it.
However, it is not to be inferred that application of every analytical procedure in the
monograph to samples from every production batch is necessarily a prerequisite for
assuring compliance with Pharmacopeial standards before the batch is released for
distribution. Data derived from manufacturing process validation studies and from in-
process controls may provide greater assurance that a batch meets a particular
monograph requirement than analytical data derived from an examination of finished
units drawn from that batch. On the basis of such assurances, the analytical
procedures in the monograph may be omitted by the manufacturer in judging
compliance of the batch with the pharmacopeial standards." However, the
performance of these procedures may be governed by laws or other requirements
related to good manufacturing practices which should be considered.
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Q. Do I have to use the quantities and concentrations specified in the monograph or
may I make some adjustments?
A. You may make some adjustments. In the current USP-NF General Notices, the
following is stated: "In the performance of assays and test procedures, not less than
the specified number of dosage units should be taken for analysis." Furthermore,
"[p]roportionately larger or smaller quantities than the specified weights and volumes
of assay or test substances and Reference Standards may be taken, provided the
measurement is made with at least equivalent accuracy and provided that any
subsequent steps, such as dilutions, are adjusted accordingly to yield concentrations
equivalent to those specified and are made in such a manner as to provide at least
equivalent accuracy."
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Q. How do I contact the USP about questions on a specific monograph or general
chapter?
A. The contact information for the USP staff can be found in a number of locations. The
staff members, their assignments, phone numbers and E-mail addresses are located in
the Staff Directory (one of the front sections of every Pharmacopeial Forum). In
addition, the names and contact information can be found in all electronic versions of
the USP-NF (CD-ROM, Intranet, and Internet). Finally, you can contact the USP
Headquarters at 301-881-0666 or stdsmonographs@usp.org . When calling this
number, please inform the operator that you would like to speak to someone in the
Information and Standards Development Department.
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Q. Do I have to meet the specifications described in the Description and Solubility
section of the USP-NF?
A. The specifications in the Description and Solubility section are not considered official
requirements by the USP. Within this section it states "The "description" and
"solubility" statements pertaining to an article (formerly included in the individual
monograph) are general in nature. The information is provided for those who use,
prepare, and dispense drugs, solely to indicate descriptive and solubility properties of
an article complying with monograph standards. The properties are not in themselves
standards or tests for purity even though they may indirectly assist in the preliminary
evaluation of the integrity of an article".
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Q. What is the status of my revision proposal? What is the status of the revision
proposal that appeared in Pharmacopeial Forum?
A. Contact the USP staff member responsible for the revision as indicated in
Pharmacopeial Forum. The staff members, their assignments, phone numbers and E-
mail addresses are located in the Staff Directory (one of the front sections of every
Pharmacopeial Forum). In addition, the names and contact information can be found
in all electronic versions of the USP-NF (CD-ROM, Intranet, and Internet).
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Q. I would like to comment on a PF proposal but cannot do so during the
established public comment period. What can I do?
A. In the back of every issue of Pharmacopeial Forum there is a form titled "Notice to
the Executive Secretariat of Intent to Comment". Complete the form and mail or fax
it to the USP immediately, and the appropriate USP Expert Committee will be
notified. The Expert Committee may or may not decide to extend the comment period
depending on the particular circumstances.
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Q. Where can I find specifications for reagents? Who are the suppliers for a
particular reagent mentioned in a USP-NF monograph?
A. The specifications for the reagents cited in USP-NF are generally found in the section
Reagents Specifications of the USP-NF. When there is only one supplier for a
particular reagent or a particular reagent grade, a footnote will cross-reference to the
supplier information in the section Reagent Footnotes of the USP-NF. If the reagent
you are interested in is not listed in the Reagents Specifications section, please
contact USP by email to stdsmonographs@usp.org.
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Q. How do I find out if a particular Reference Standard is available?
A. Check the USP Reference Standard Catalog in the latest issue of Pharmacopeial
Forum or on the USP Home Page: www.usp.org. If a particular USP Reference
Standard is not listed, it is not available.
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Q. What is the expiration date of a Reference Standard?
A. There are no predetermined expiration dates on USP Reference Standards. The
current lots of Reference Standards are official until otherwise stated in the USP
Reference Standard Catalog. The new lot is indicated in the column "Curr. Lot." The
column "Previous Lot/Valid Use Date" indicates the date on which the previous lot
will no longer be official.
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Q. Can I obtain a Certificate of Analysis for a particular USP Reference Standard?
A. Generally, no. Data on USP Reference Standards are not available for public
inspection, unless, in the judgment of the Secretary of the USP Convention a special
scientific reason exists. For more information, see the current USP Document
Disclosure Policy printed within the USP-NF.
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Q. What is the "purity" of a USP Reference Standard where no percentage is stated
on the label?
A. Where no value is stated on the label, the purity is considered to be 100.0% when
handled as described on the label.
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Q. What is the chemical name of a related compound specified in a test for
impurities in a monograph?
A. If there is a USP Reference Standard for the particular related compound, the
chemical name may be found in general chapter <11> USP Reference Standards in
the USP-NF. For methods proposed in Pharmacopeial Forum, this information is
included at the end of the monograph or in the general chapter USP Reference
Standards <11> in that PF.
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Q. How do I propose new monographs and revisions to official standards in the
USP-NF or to revisions already proposed in Pharmacopeial Forum?
A. Contact the USP in writing with any change you wish to make to the USP-NF. USP
contact information can be found in the front pages of the USP-NF or the Staff
Directory, printed in one of the front sections of every Pharmacopeial Forum. You
can also contact the USP Headquarters at 301-881-0666 or stdsmonographs@usp.org.
When calling this number, please inform the operator that you would like to speak to
someone in the Information and Standards Development Department. As described in
the USP general chapter Validation of Compendial Methods <1225>, all proposals
must be supported by relevant data including scientific rationale, complete analytical
procedures, and appropriate validation data. Revision proposals will be considered
only after receipt of supporting data and justification. Proprietary data should be
labeled "Confidential". All proposals approved by the USP Expert Committees are
published in the Pharmacopeial Forum for public comment, with the eventual goal of
official adoption in USP-NF.
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Q. How do I inform USP that there may be an error in the text of the USP-NF or
proposed in Pharmacopeial Forum?
A. Please contact the USP in writing or by email with the nature of the error found in
official text of the USP-NF or text proposed in Pharmacopeial Forum. USP contact
information can be found in the front pages of the USP-NF or the Staff Directory,
printed in one of the front sections of every Pharmacopeial Forum. You can also
contact the USP Headquarters at 301-881-0666 or stdsmonographs@usp.org . When
calling this number, please inform the operator that you would like to speak to
someone in the Information and Standards Development Department.
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Q. What is the total organic carbon (TOC) limit for Purified Water and Water for
Injection?
A. There is a "target limit response" of 500 ppb carbon. The actual number will vary
based upon your reference standard solution, your equipment, background carbon etc.
You will determine compliance using the USP Reference Standards.
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Q. How often do I perform the TOC system suitability test?
A. Most firms start by performing the test frequently; then after they have developed a
baseline, the testing schedule may be modified.
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Q. Why are there no microbial requirements included in the monographs for
Purified Water and Water for Injection?
A. Microbial guidelines are provided under Water for Pharmaceutical Purposes <1231>.
We recommend that you implement the Alert and Action levels and limits described
in this informational chapter.
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