REGULATORY PERSPECTIVES
Comparing cGMP Pharma vs. Device: Subpart A – General Provisions
James A. Dunning • Owner, QPC Services LLC
Since they are both part of the healthcare industry, you’d think pharmaceutical and medical device companies would have a better understanding of each other’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) requirements. Think again. Despite the
obvious overlap between the sectors, drug and device firms just
can’t seem to fully fathom any cGMP mandates but their own.
I’m hoping to change that with this ongoing series assessing
parts of both industries’ cGMP requirements. In the April issue of
MPO, I provided a high-level comparison of sections of the pharmaceutical industry’s cGMP, Parts 210 and 2011, and the medical
device sector’s cGMP Part 820. This column, however, will focus
on how 21 CFR Part 820 Quality System Regulation, also known
as the cGMP regulation for medical devices, aligns with the cGMP
requirements of 21 CFR Part 210 and 21 CFR Part 211 Subpart A—
General Provisions, with a Part 2 in an upcoming issue.
A general note: The term“pharmaceutical(s)” is used rather than“drug(s)”
unless the term is part of an excerpt from the cGMP regulation.
Scope
Scope and applicability are adequately described in both the
pharmaceutical and medical device cGMP regulations, specifically in sections 210.1 and 210.2 and in 211 Subpart A—
General Provisions for pharmaceuticals; in section 211.1 Scope; and
Subpart A—General Provisions for medical devices, specifically
820.1 Scope. Both regulations refer to other cGMP requirements
for biologic products.
Definitions
Definitions for pharmaceuticals are provided in 210.3 and ref-
erenced in 211 Subpart A—General Provisions, section 211.3
Definitions. Definitions for medical devices are provided in
820 Subpart A—General Provisions, section 820.3 Definitions.
There are terms used in both cGMP regulations that are not
listed in the respective definitions sections of the cGMP regula-
tions but my only focus is the elements of the definitions sec-
tions, and only those I believe to be key definitions. I grouped
the definitions in broad categories for easy comparison, and
stripped specific citations included in the cGMP regulations to
de-clutter the definitions. In most cases, but not all, I grouped
the definitions by their respective cGMP regulation. Definitions
are one component that should be used to set the foundation
for a company’s culture.
Act
Pharmaceuticals—210.3 Definitions
and Medical devices—820.3 Definitions:
The definition of act in both cGMP regulations refers to the
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended. The cGMP requirements for both pharmaceuticals and medical devices
are derived from the Act.
Audit
Pharmaceuticals—210.3 Definitions
No definition included.
Medical devices—820.3 Definitions
“Quality audit means a systematic, independent examination of a manufacturer’s quality system that is performed at
defined intervals and at sufficient frequency to determine
whether both quality system activities and the results of
such activities comply with quality system procedures, that
these procedures are implemented effectively, and that these
procedures are suitable to achieve quality system objectives.”
Comments: Key components to this definition are “systematic”
and “independent.” This is especially relevant to smaller medical
device manufacturers that cannot achieve an independent audit
using internal personnel. Audits are not included in the pharmaceutical cGMPs, but in my experience, they certainly are performed as a matter of practice.
Table 1
21 CFR Parts 210 and 211 Subpart A – General Provisions. 21 CFR Part 820 (as applicable)
1 210.1 Status of current good manufacturing practice regulations 820.1 Scope
2 210.2 Applicability of current good manufacturing practice regulations 820.1 Scope
3 210.3 Definitions 820.3 Definitions
N/A 211 Subpart A – General Provisions 820 Subpart A – General Provisions
4 • 211.1 Scope 820.1 Scope
5 • 211.3 Definitions See Item #3