variation filing procedure in europe: a complete review

Review Article
Useni Reddy Mallu et al, Carib.j.SciTech,2014, Vol.2,238-250
VARIATION FILING PROCEDURE IN EUROPE:
A COMPLETE REVIEW
ABSTRACT
Authors & Affiliation:
MAH can proceed for any post approval change implementation through
Useni Reddy Mallu*
variation filing to EMA agency. This approach can be applicable for all categories of
and Anand K
applications such as Central procedure (CP), National procedure (NP), Decentralized
Dept. of Chemistry, Sri
procedure (DCP) and Mutual recognition procedure (MRP). Variation changes are
Krishnadevaraya
classified in to four types such as 1. Administrative 2. Quality 3. Safety, Efficacy and
University, Anantapur,
Pharmacovigilance and 4. Specific changes to plasma master files and vaccine antigen
Andhra Pradesh, India
master files. Based on the criticality of the change variations are classified as Type IA/
IAIN; type IB and type II variations Type-IA/IAIN is for minor change; type IB is for
moderate variation and type II variation is for major change. Type IA/IAIN are do and
Correspondence To:
tell process, type-IB is tell wait and Do process and type II is tell approval and Do
Useni Reddy Mallu
process. This article is only for educational purpose.
Keywords:
EMA, Marketing
Authorisation, Variation
filing, Post approval
changes, Extensions and
Chemistry manufacturing
Control.
© 2014. The Authors.
Published under
Caribbean
Journal of Science and
Technology
ISSN 0799-3757
http://caribjscitech.com/
INTRODUCTION
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Useni Reddy Mallu et al, Carib.j.SciTech,2014, Vol.2,238-250
EMA has introduced the variation procedure in the year 1995 for approved drug product for any kind of change. In 1995,
EMA has introduced the two categories of variations such as type-I for minor changes and type-II for major changes and in 2003
type-I is divided in to two categories such as type-IA for minor changes and type-IB for moderate changes. Variations history has
represented in figure-1.
Type-I
Type-II
(default)
Type-IA (Tell and Do)
Type-IB(default)
Type-II
EC 1146/98
EC 1147/98
EC 1234/2008
2003
1995
2012
1998
2008
EC 541/95
EC 542/95
EC 1084/2003
EC 1085/2003
Type-I
Type-II
(default)
Type-IA (Tell and
Do)
Type-IB
Type-II (default)
EC 712/2012
Type-IA (Tell and
Do)
Type-IB
Type-II (default)
Figure-1: EMA implementation of variations
VARIATION CLASSIFICATION:
All post approval changes can be notified to the agency through variation filing. This approach can be applicable for all
categories of applications such as Central procedure (CP), National procedure (NP), Decentralized procedure (DCP) and Mutual
recognition procedure (MRP). Variations can be classified in to four categories such as type-IAIN; type-IA; type-IB; type-II and
Extensions. Figure-2 represents the all categories of variations.
Minor variations of Type IA
i.
Type-IA:
These variations do not require any prior approval, but MAH should notify within 12 months (“Do and Tell”).
ii. Type-IAIN:
It requires immediate notification after implementation.
Minor variations of Type IB
These must be notified before implementation. The holder must wait 30 days to ensure that the notification is deemed
acceptable (“Tell, Wait and Do”).
Major variations of Type II
These variations require approval of the relevant competent authority before implementation.
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Extensions
These notifications will be evaluated as like initial MAA. The extension can either be granted as a new MA or will be
included in the initial MA to which it relates.
Variations
Type-IA
Type-IA
Holder should
inform in 12
months
following
implementatio
n (“D
Do and
Tell”
procedure).
Type-IA IN
Holder should
inform
immediately
following
implementation
(“D
Do and Tell”
procedure).
Type-IB
Type-II
Extensions
Must be notified
before
implementation.
The holder must
wait a period of 30
days to ensure that
the notification is
deemed acceptable
by the authorities
before
implementing the
change (“T
Tell, Wait
and Do”
procedure).
These
variations
require
approval of
the relevant
competent
authority
before
implementatio
n
Application will be
evaluated same
procedure as for the
granting of the initial
MA to which it relates.
The extension can
either be granted as a
new MA or will be
included in the initial
MA to which it relates.
Figure-2: Classification of Variations
Chapter-A: Administrative
Variation
Changes
Chapter-B: Quality
1. API (Manufacture; Control of API; Container closure system; Stability and
Design space & post app. change management protocol)
2. FINISHED PRODUCT (Description and composition; Manufacture; Control
of excipients; Control of finished product; Container closure system; Stability
Design space and post approval change management protocol and
Adventitious agents safety)
3. CEP/TSE/monographs
4. Medical Devices
5. Changes to marketing authorisation resulting from other regulatory
procedures (PMF/VAMF; Referral and Other changes to the quality dossier
requested by the competent authority)
Chapter-C: Safety, Efficacy and Pharmacovigilance
1. Human and Veterinary medicinal products
2. Veterinary medicinal product-specific changes
Chapter-D: Specific changes to Plasma Master Files and Vaccine Antigen Master Files
Figure-3: Variation changes
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VARIATION CHANGES
Variation changes are divided in to four categories such as 1. Administrative 2. Quality 3. Safety, Efficacy and
Pharmacovigilance and 4. Specific changes to plasma master files and vaccine antigen master files. Based on the change in the
post approval stage, MAH should follow the EMA recommendations for document submission and implementation. Figure-3
represents the post approval changes classifications.
VARIATION GROUPING:
Variations can be submitted with a single notification to the same relevant authority, or to group them with other types of
variations. MAH can group the variations such as type IA /IAIN variations or type IA /IAIN variations and type IB variations or all
categories of variations in one drug product or in different products also. The detailed grouping approaches are represented in the
below figure.
IA/IAIN (1)
Group-1
Product-1
IA/IAIN (2)
Product-1
IA /IAIN (1)
Product-2
IA/IAIN (1)
Group-2
Product-1
IA /IAIN (1)
IA /IAIN (2)
Group-3
Product-2
IA /IAIN (1)
IA /IAIN (2)
Variation Group
IB (1)
Group-4
Product-1
IB (2)
IA/IAIN
Group-5
Product-1
IB
II
Group-6
Product-1
IA/IAIN
IB
Figure-4: Variations grouping approaches
SUBMISSION OF VARIATIONS NOTIFICATION (HANDLING)
Centralized Procedure:
1.
Type IA variations:
The Agency will review the notification within 30 days, without involvement of the rapporteur for the product concerned
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appointed by the CHMP or CVMP. However, a copy of the Type IA notification will be submitted by the Agency to the
rapporteur for information. If several minor variations of Type IA are submitted with one notification, the Agency will clearly
inform the holder which variations have been accepted or rejected. While in the case of minor variations of Type IA, failure to
provide all necessary documentation in the application will not necessarily lead to the immediate rejection of the variation if the
holder provides any missing documentation immediately on request of the Agency, it should be highlighted that a minor variation
of Type IA may in specific circumstances be rejected with the consequence that the holder must cease to apply already
implemented variations concerned.
Day-0
Type IA/IAIN variation notification submission to Authority
Day-1
Day-30
Start of Agency evaluation
Review outcome
Unfavourable
Authority may ask for the addi. Info
Favourable
MAH should immediately cease to applying the rejected variation
Figure-5: Type-IA variation for CP applications
2.
Type IB variations
Agency acknowledges the notification within 7 calendar days. If the proposed variation is not considered a variation
Type IB then the holder should request the agency to revise its application and to complete it in accordance with the requirements
for a variation Type II. If the variation considered as type-IB then assessment procedure will be initiated. The rapporteur will be
involved in the review and it will take 30 days. If the Agency has not sent the holder its assessment results within 30 days then the
notification will be deemed acceptable. In case of an Unfavourable outcome, the holder may amend the notification within 30
days. If the holder does not amend the notification then the notification will be rejected. If amended then, Agency will inform the
holder of its final acceptance or rejection. If the variation notification is grouped with other class of variations then, agency will
clearly inform the holder which variations have been accepted or rejected.
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Type IB variation notification submission to Agency
7Day
s
Validation results (Agency will inform to MAH)
Agency will take the final decision
Day0
Favourable
Unfavourable
MAH may request to consider as type-II variation
Start of Agency evaluation
Review outcome (NCA will inform the MAH).
Day-30
Favourable
Unfavourable
MAH may amend the notification within 30days
If MAH amend
Favourable
Accept
If MAH didn’t amend
Unfavourable
Day-30
Reject
Figure-6: Type-IB variation for CP applications
3.
Type II variations
Agency will acknowledge receipt of a variation notification and after this, Agency will start the assessment. In general,
assessment period is 60-days and this period may be reduced by the Agency based on urgency of the matter or may be extended to
90 days. Within the assessment period, agency may request the supplementary information. The procedure will be suspended until
the receipt of the supplementary information. Suspension period is up to 1 month. For extending the suspension period from 1
month, the MAH should send a justification to the Agency (Maxi. 2months)
Assessment results
Upon adoption of an opinion of the CHMP/ CVMP, the Agency will inform to MAH within 15 days as to whether the
variation is accepted or rejected. Where several Type II variations, or a group of Type II variations with other minor variations
have been submitted as one application, the Agency will issue an opinion reflecting the final outcome of the procedure. The
holder may withdraw single variations from the grouped application during the procedure. The approved major variations of Type
II requiring amendment of the Commission decision granting the MA within 2 months may only be implemented once the holder
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has been informed by the Commission accordingly. Where amendment of the decision granting the MA is not required within 2
months, or where the approved variation does not affect the terms of the Commission decision granting the MA, the variation may
be implemented once the holder has been informed by the Agency that its opinion is favourable. Variations related to safety issues
must be implemented within a time-frame agreed between the Commission and the holder.
Extension assessment
Upon receipt of an extension application, the Agency will handle the application as for an initial marketing authorisation
application in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 726/2004.
Day0
Type II variation notification submission to Agency
Agency acknowledge
the application
Start of Agency evaluation
Day-1
Amendment period is
considered as suspension
Agency may ask for amendment (30 to 60days)
MAH will submit the responses
Variation assessment results
Favourable
MAH can implement the
change within 30days
Unfavourable
MAH to immediately cease applying
the rejected variation
Figure-7: Type-II variation for CP applications
MRP PROCEDURE:
1.
Type IA variations
Agency will acknowledge the variation notification and review within 30days. MAH can group Type IA/IAIN variations
and changes can be implemented prior to submission of the notification. However, in case of un-favourable outcome, MAH
should immediately cease applying the rejected variations. By Day 30, the RMS will inform the assessment results to holder and
CMS. In case the MA requires any amendment to the decision granting the MA, all CMS will update the decision granting the
MA within 6 months following the receipt of the outcome of the review sent by the RMS, provided that the documents necessary
for the amendment of the MA have been submitted to the CMS. Where one or several minor variations of Type IA are submitted
as part of one notification, the RMS will inform the holder which variations have been accepted or rejected. The MAH must not
implement the rejected variations.
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Type IA/IAIN variation notification submission to RMS/CMS
Day-0
Start of Agency evaluation
Day-1
Day-30
Review outcome (RMS will inform the MAH and CMS).
Unfavourable
RMS may ask for the additional info.
Favourable
MAH should immediately cease to applying the rejected variation
Figure-8: Type-IA variation for MRP applications
Type IB variation notification submission
RMS
Validation 7
days
Validation results (RMS will inform to MAH and CMS)
Final decision by RMS
Favourable
If CMS disagree
CMS Validation
7 days
0 day
Unfavourable
If CMS Agree
Final decision by RMS
If CMS agree
If CMS disagree
Start of Agency evaluation
MAH should revise as Type-II
Review outcome (RMS will inform the MAH and CMS).
30days
Unfavourable
Favourable
RMS may ask for the additional info.
MAH should do amendment within 30days
If MAH amend
30days
If MAH didn’t amend
Accepted
Rejected
Figure-9: Type-IB variation for MRP applications
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Useni Reddy Mallu et al, Carib.j.SciTech,2014, Vol.2,238-250
Type IB variations
The RMS will acknowledge the notification within the 7 calendar days. If the notification is correct and complete then
assessment will start. If the notification not considered as type IB, the holder will be requested to revise its application and to
complete it in accordance with the requirements for a Type II variation application. The assessment period is 30days.
If the RMS has not sent the assessment results within 30days then the notification will be deemed acceptable. In case of
an un-favourable result, the holder may amend the notification within 30 days. If the holder does not amend the notification
within 30 days as requested, the variation will be deemed rejected by all CMS. Within 30 days of receipt of the amended
notification, the RMS will inform the holder of its final acceptance or rejection. Where a group of minor variations were
submitted as part of one notification, the RMS will inform the holder and the CMS which variations have been accepted or
rejected. Where necessary, the relevant authorities will update the MA within 6 months following closure of the procedure by the
RMS. However, the accepted minor variations of Type IB variation may be implemented without awaiting the update of the MA.
2.
Type II variations
Agency will acknowledge the notification and assessment will take 60days. This period may be reduced by the RMS
based on the urgency or may be extended to 90 days. RMS will prepare a draft assessment report and a decision on the application
according to the communicated timetable and will circulate them to the CMS for comments as well as to the holder for
information. The CMS will send to the RMS their comments within the deadlines set out in the timetable. Within the evaluation
period, the RMS may request the MAH to provide supplementary information and this period will consider as suspension. In
general, a suspension time is one month and it will extend up to 2months based on the holder request to the RMS for agreement.
After receipt of the holder’s response, the RMS will finalize the draft assessment report and the decision on the application and
will circulate them to the CMS for comments as well as to the holder for information.
Assessment Results
By the end of the evaluation period, the RMS will finalize and submit the assessment report and its decision on the
application to the CMS. Within 30 days following receipt of the assessment report and the decision, the CMS will recognize the
decision and inform the RMS accordingly. Where an application concerning a grouping of variations that includes at least a
variation Type II is referred to the coordination group, the decision on the variations not subject to the referral will be suspended
until the referral procedure has concluded. However, only the variations in respect of which a potential serious risk to human or
animal health or to the environment has been identified will be discussed by the coordination group and eventually by the CHMP
or CVMP. The RMS will inform the CMS and MAH about the approval or rejection. If MAH submitted the grouped variations as
one application, RMS will inform the holder and the CMS which variations have been accepted or rejected. The holder may
withdraw single variations from the grouped application during the procedure. After a positive decision is communicated
regarding variations with changes to the summary of product characteristics, labelling or package leaflet, the holder should
submit, within 7 days, translations of the product information texts to all CMS. After approval of the variations, the competent
authorities of the CMS will, where necessary, amend the marketing authorisation to reflect the variations within 2 months,
provided that the documents necessary for the amendment of the MA have been submitted to the CMS. The accepted major
variations of Type II can be implemented within 30 days. In those cases where the application has been the object of a referral, the
variations must not be implemented until the referral procedure has concluded that the variations is accepted. However, the
variations in the group not subject to the referral may be implemented if so indicated by the RMS. Variations related to safety
issues must be implemented within a time-frame agreed between the RMS and the holder.
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Type II variation notification submission to RMS/CMS
Start of Agency evaluation
Day-0
RMS may ask to MAH for additional info. (30 to 60days)
Suspension
period
MAH will submit the responses
RMS will review (30-60days)
Draft assessment report sent to CMS and MAH
CHMP: 60days or
less or 90days
CVMP: 90days
CMS will send the comments as per the time table (~30days)
RMS will take the final assessment report
Accept
MAH can implement the
change within 30days
Reject
MAH to immediately cease applying
the rejected variation
Figure-10: Type-II variation for MRP applications
NATIONAL PROCEDURE:
1.
Type IA variations
NCA will review the Type IA notification within 30 days. In case the MA requires any amendment to the decision granting
the MA, NCA will update the decision granting the MA within 6 months. For the grouped variation, NCA will inform the holder
which variations have been accepted or rejected. If the variation has been rejected then MAH should immediately cease to apply
already implemented variations.
2.
Type IB variations
NCA will check whether the proposed change can be considered as Type IB variation or not. If not considered, then the
holder will be requested to revise its application and to complete it in accordance with the requirements for a major variation of
Type II application. The review period is 30days. If the NCA has not sent the holder its opinion on the notification within 30 days
then the notification will be deemed acceptable. If rejected, then holder may amend the notification within 30 days to take due
account of the grounds for the non-acceptance of the variation. If the holder does not amend the notification within 30 days as
requested, the variation will be deemed rejected by the NCA. Within 30 days of receipt of the amended notification, the NCA will
inform the holder of its final acceptance or rejection of the variations. Where a group of minor variations were submitted as part
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of one notification, the NCA will inform the holder which variations have been accepted or rejected. However, the accepted minor
variations of Type IB may be implemented without awaiting the update of the MA.
Type IA/IAIN variation notification submission to NCA
Day-0
Start of Agency evaluation
Day-1
Review outcome
Day-30
Favourable
Unfavourable
NCA may ask for the additional info.
MAH should immediately cease to applying the rejected variation
Figure-11: Type-IA variation for NP applications
Type IB variation notification submission to NCA
Validation results (NCA will inform to MAH)
NCA will take the final decision
Unfavourable
Favourable
Day-0
MAH may request to NCA for considering as type-II variation
Start of Agency evaluation
NCA may ask for the additional info.
Review outcome (NCA will inform the MAH).
Unfavourable
Favourable
Day-30
MAH should do amendment within 30days
If MAH amend
If MAH didn’t amend
Accepted
Rejected
Figure-12: Type-IB variation for NP applications
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Type II variations
NCA will acknowledge receipt of a valid variation Type II application and review starts from the date of
acknowledgement. In general, the review period is 60-day for human and 90days for veterinary medicines. This period may be
reduced or may be extended to 90 days. Within the evaluation period, the NCA may request the holder to provide supplementary
information. The procedure will be suspended until the receipt of the supplementary information. As a general rule, a suspension
of one month will apply. For longer suspension the holder should send a justified request to the NCA for agreement. The
evaluation of responses may take up to 30 or 60 days depending on the complexity and amount of data requested to the holder.
Assessment Results
By the end of the evaluation period, the NCA will inform to the holder about the approval or rejection. For grouped
variations, NCA will inform the holder which variations have been accepted or rejected. The holder may withdraw single
variations from the grouped application during the procedure. After approval of the variations, NCA will amend the MA to reflect
the variations within 2 months provided that the documents necessary for the amendment of the MA have been submitted to
NCA.
Type II variation notification submission to NCA
Day-0
NCA acknowledge
the application
Day-1
Start of Agency evaluation
Amendment period will
suspended from the review
period and review period will
resume after amendment
60days or less
or 90days
NCA may ask for amendment. (~30days)
MAH will submit the responses
Variation assessment results
Favourable
MAH can implement the
change within 30days
Unfavourable
MAH to immediately cease
applying the rejected variation
Figure-13: Type-II variation for NP applications
Accepted variations of Type II can be implemented after acceptance of the variations by the NCA, Variations related to
safety issues must be implemented within a time-frame agreed between the NCA and the holder.
Extension assessment
Upon receipt of an extension application under the mutual recognition or the purely national procedure, it will be handled
as an initial MAA.
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REJECTED VARIATION HANDLING
In the case of a negative outcome from the agencies and not met and consequently a resubmission is needed or because
documentation is deficient. If this is the case, Agency may ask the MAH to complete a suspected quality defect notification form
and provide a Risk Assessment report on the impact of the product on the market via e-mail to [email protected] within 7
calendar days from the date of the rejection letter. Such requests are expected to be very exceptional.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This article is only for the education purpose and completely from the authors experience and official websites.
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