Off the charts

"We had an endotoxin control chart that showed a trend," recounted our GMP Agent-in-Place. "There was one result out of limits, but when we checked the data, we realized that there were 20 consecutive batches that were higher than the normal "non-detectable" results. This was clearly a time-based phenomenon, so we did the obvious checks for time-related changes.

"The only item we found we discounted, as it was an excipient lot number change that is used in 1 part per million. The quantity used was why we discounted it, as the 6-log dilution alone should result in no detectable endotoxin. In the end, the suspect lot was tested. It took some doing as we had to run numerous dilutions to get it into a readable range, and found it to be over 2 x 10⁶. Therefore, even with the 6-log dilution, there was plenty of endotoxin left to make the test read high. Endotoxin hadn't been a release test for that excipient, but it was after that," our agent reported.

"We had a lyophilized product that is typically self-administered and needed reconstitution before use," explained our GMP Agent-in-Place. "In the package, we included a double-ended transfer needle for the patient to use to transfer the sterile water diluent to the product. The transfer needle is packed in a plastic pouch that is sterilized. When we found holes in the plastic pouch on some samples from the contract sterilizer, we initiated an investigation. We found holes in pouches in retain samples of the product, which immediately led to a recall. This product is sold in more than 30 countries and we recalled all in-date batches to replace the transfer needle. It turned out that someone had made a change to the plastic years ago to make it less expensive, but our recall cost hundreds of times more than the cost savings totaled."

Hazy weather ahead

"We had a sterile liquid-protein product that we made for more than 20 years with no problems and no formulation change," noted our GMP Agent-in-Place. "The annual inspection of retain samples also showed no problems, until recently. For some reason, on a few batches, we found a slight sediment in the bottom of the bottle. In fact, the sediment could not be seen until an undisturbed bottle was carefully picked up and tipped over, whereupon a haze could be seen drifting along the bottom. Our investigation gave a possible cause of a small change in the stopper that roughly correlated with the appearance of the haze. When we investigated the material, the quantities were nearly too small to measure, and were evaluated as medically inert, although we did correct the stopper problem."

We're green (with envy)

"We ship and receive products from around the world," bragged our GMP Agent-in-Place. "One refrigerated product came from Europe in a robust, double-pallet-sized package that was stacked on a full sheet of plywood and covered by another to protect the product and the 4 in of expanded polystyrene insulation that was used. The plywood was very high quality (eight layers and about 5/8 in thick.) Instead of recycling it, one employee took it home all year claiming that he was insulating his barn with it. We got one to two such shipments a week; that must have been a huge barn."

Pharmaceutical Technology's monthly "Agent-in-Place" column distills true-life cautionary tales from the secret files of Control, a senior compliance officer. If you have a story of clueless operators, oblivious management, inopportune lapses of judgment, or Murphy's Law in action, please send it to Control at AgentinPlace@advanstar.com
. We won't use any names, but if we do use your tale of disaster, courage, or just plain weirdness, Control will send you a coveted Pharmaceutical Technology t-shirt.