Last weeks round-up; 23 – 27 March 2020

EMA NEWS: ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS AND RISK EVALUATION FOR NITROSAMINE IMPURITIES

Ongoing clinical trials – consultation until 24 April

The EMA has published a “points to consider” document on implications of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on methodological aspects of ongoing clinical trials for comment. https://lnkd.in/g9PYa_e

Risk evaluation on Nitrosamines step 1 – extended to 1 October 2020

The European medicines regulatory network has agreed to extend the deadline to complete step 1 risk evaluation of all human medicines containing chemically synthesized active substances for the presence of Nitrosamines to 1 October 2020. This decision follows reports of the challenges encountered in meeting the original deadline of 26 March 2020, and the impact of the severe restrictions in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://lnkd.in/g8TVSwk

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EC) – PROPOSE ONE-YEAR POSTPONEMENT OF MDR IMPLEMENTATION

The EC has announced that because of COVID-19 crisis, work is ongoing on a proposal to postpone the date of application of the MDR for one year to May 2021. The EC are working to submit this proposal in early April and have called on Parliament and Council to adopt it quickly as the deadline for entry into force is the end of May 2020.

The proposed postponement if adopted will provide much relief to the medical device sector amidst this ongoing crisis. The announcement from the Commission can be viewed here https://lnkd.in/dTw3NDR

EC ISSUES A TARGETED STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSULTATION ON ANNEX 21: IMPORTATION OF MEDICAL PRODUCTS, OF THE EUDRALEX VOLUME 4

In addition to the guidance given in the main chapters and annexes of the EU GMP it has become necessary to publish a specific guideline clarifying the application of the principles of GMP in the activity of importation of medicinal products under Annex 21. This Annex sets out the good practice applicable to a manufacturing and importation authorisation (MIA) holders, who import medicinal products (human and veterinary) through the EU/EEA borders. The comments received will be taken into account by the European Commission in the finalisation of the Guideline. It will run from 20th March 2020 through to and including 20th June 2020. All stakeholders are invited to respond to the draft guidance here https://lnkd.in/dgyWg3E and to use the template for responses here https://lnkd.in/drgVsqK. The format and email for responses are also detailed on the site.

EMA NEW GUIDANCE: GUIDANCE ON PAEDIATRIC SUBMISSIONS VIA ESUBMISSION GATEWAY AND ESUBMISSION WEB CLIENT

EMA has issued a short practical guidance on making submissions for paediatric investigation plans and waivers via the eSubmission Gateway and the eSubmission web client platforms. The guidance states that a letter of intent for PIPs and PIP waivers is no longer required, it includes a full listing of documents required by submission type and a very good tabulation on naming conventions for each of the files comprising the submission.
The new guidance can be found here https://lnkd.in/giT5HjD and there are further links therein to other specific supportive documents.

TIME TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON

Focusing on what we can work together on:

• Strategise: Review and help you build your project plan in the context of the European requirements.
• Secure: Fee reductions through SME Status, ATMP Classifications, Orphan Designations and Scientific Advice procedures.
• Agency dialogue: To get buy into your project plans, most agencies have switched to virtual meetings for scientific advice.
• Build: Make a start on preparation of the documentation needed to support future CTAs.

We have the team and skillsets to help you with these activities. We are all ready and available to do so. Please see our website for further details of our services, www.realregulatory.com

NICE UPDATE: FREE FAST TRACK ADVICE FOR COMPANIES WHO ARE DEVELOPING DIAGNOSTICS OR THERAPEUTICS FOR COVID-19

NICE Scientific Advice will provide free fast track advice for companies who are developing novel diagnostics or therapeutics for COVID-19.

The fast track service will help companies optimise their approach to generating essential levels of evidence required for health technology assessment. Depending on the demand for the free advice service, NICE may need to prioritise requests.
All scientific advice services will continue to run as normal, with meetings taking place virtually for the foreseeable future. Developers are invited to get in touch via our online form with enquiries about any of their services. https://lnkd.in/d48KfmC

CMDH UPDATE TO Q&A ON BIOLOGICALS

CMDh has just updated their Q&A on Biologicals, full details can be found under this link https://lnkd.in/dAjYHw5
Apart from generally updating reference legislation, in section 3 detailing special requirements for biological products an important bullet point on the legal basis has changed.

The legal basis for MAs as bibliographic applications according to Article 10a of Directive 2001/83/EC are now ‘strongly discouraged’. It is also further stressed that ‘It is highly recommended to ask the RMS for scientific and regulatory advice on the most appropriate legal basis’.