Impurities Workshop Part II: Nitrosamine Impurities - Live Online Training

In June 2018 EU authorities were notified that a Chinese API manufacturer has detected the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine, NDMA, in batches of Valsartan. NDMA is a genotoxic and carcinogenic agent in animals and is classified as a Class 2A carcinogen to humans. After a referral under Article 31 of Directive 2001/83/EC triggered by the European Commission the CHMP assessed the impact of the presence of this impurity on the benefit-risk balance of valsartan-containing drug products and issued a recommendation whether the concerning marketing authorisations can still be maintained or should be suspended.

Meanwhile, different Nitrosamines (NDMA, NDEA and others) were detected in almost every drug product which contains a Sartan derivative as an API. In an EMA Questions & Answers Document various potential sources of Nitrosamine contaminations are described. In September 2019 EMA published a press release where pharmaceutical companies were advised on steps to be taken to avoid nitrosamines in human medicines. In another document which appeared at about the same time Marketing Authorisation Holders are requested to evaluate the risk of the presence of Nitrosamine impurities in human medicinal products containing chemically synthesised APIs. As a consequence in case of contamination with Nitrosamines Marketing Authorisation Holders are requested to file a variation application.