Biologics Compounding GFI

Mixing, Diluting, or
Repackaging Biological
Products Outside the
Scope of an Approved
Biologics License
Application
Guidance for Industry

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
January 2018
Compounding and Related Documents

Mixing, Diluting, or
Repackaging Biological
Products Outside the
Scope of an Approved
Biologics License
Application
Guidance for Industry
Additional copies are available from:
Office of Communications, Division of Drug Information
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave., Building 51, Room 2201, Silver Spring, MD 20993
Phone: 301-796-3400; Email: druginfo@fda.hhs.gov
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm
and/or
Office of Communication, Outreach, and Development
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave., Building 71, Room 3128
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Phone: 800-835-4709 or 240-402-8010; Email: ocod@fda.hhs.gov
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/default.htm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
January 2018
Compounding and Related Documents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE .................................................................................... 1

II.

BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 3

A.

Biological Products ........................................................................................................................ 3

B.

Legal Framework for FDA’s Regulation of Biological Products............................................... 5

C. Sections 503A and 503B of the FD&C Act Do Not Exempt Biological Products from the
Premarket Approval Requirements of the PHS Act or from Provisions of the FD&C Act ............ 5

III.

POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 6

A.

General Conditions ........................................................................................................................ 6

B.

Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Licensed Biological Products .............................................. 7

C.

Licensed Allergenic Extracts for Subcutaneous Immunotherapy ........................................... 14

IV.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT .............................................................................. 18

Appendix A - Assigning a BUD for Repackaged Biological Products Based On Stability
Testing ........................................................................................................................................... 19
Appendix B - Release Testing for Biological Products Mixed, Diluted, or Repackaged by
Outsourcing Facilities .................................................................................................................. 23

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the
Scope of an Approved Biologics License Application
Guidance for Industry1
This guidance represents the current thinking of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) on
this topic. It does not establish any rights for any person and is not binding on FDA or the public. You
can use an alternative approach if it satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.
To discuss an alternative approach, contact the FDA office responsible for this guidance as listed on the
title page.

I.

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

This guidance sets forth FDA’s policy regarding the mixing,2 diluting, and repackaging3 of
certain types of biological products that have been licensed under section 351 of the Public
Health Service Act (PHS Act) when such activities are not within the scope of the product’s
approved biologics license application (BLA) as described in the approved labeling for the
product. This guidance describes the conditions under which FDA does not intend to take action
for violations of section 351 of the PHS Act and section 502(f)(1), section 582, and, where
specified, section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) (21
U.S.C. 352(f)(1), 21 U.S.C. 360eee-1, and 21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B), respectively), when a statelicensed pharmacy, a federal facility, or an outsourcing facility4 dilutes, mixes, or repackages
certain biological products outside the scope of an approved BLA.

1

This guidance has been prepared by multiple offices in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), in
cooperation with the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and the FDA Office of Regulatory
Affairs.
2

For purposes of this guidance, mixing means combining an FDA-licensed biological product with one or more
ingredients.
3

For purposes of this guidance, repackaging means taking a licensed biological product from the container in which
it was distributed by the original manufacturer and placing it into a different container without further manipulating
the product. As used in this guidance, the terms mixing, diluting, and repackaging describe distinct sets of activities
with respect to a biological product.
4

Outsourcing facility refers to a facility that meets the definition of an outsourcing facility under section 503B(d)(4)
of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 353b(d)(4)). See guidance for industry Guidance for Entities Considering Whether to
Register As Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (August
2015), available at
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM434171.pdf.
All FDA guidances are available on the Agency’s guidance website at
http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/FDABasicsforIndustry/ucm234622.htm. FDA updates guidances regularly. To
ensure that you have the most recent version, please check this web page.

1

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
This guidance does not address the following:5


Biological products not subject to licensure under section 351 of the PHS Act (i.e.,
biological products for which a marketing application could properly be submitted under
section 505 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 355) (see section 7002(e) of the Affordable
Care Act)).6



Radioactive biological products. It is the Agency’s understanding that pharmacists do
not manipulate radioactive biological products outside the scope of the product’s
approved labeling.



Mixing, diluting, or repackaging biological products (other than allergenic extracts) by
entities that are not state-licensed pharmacies, federal facilities, or outsourcing facilities
(e.g., repackers registered with FDA under section 510 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C.
360)); and preparation of allergenic extracts by entities that are not state-licensed
pharmacies, federal facilities, outsourcing facilities, or physicians.



Removing a biological product from the original container at the point of care (e.g.,
patient’s bedside) for immediate administration to a single patient after receipt of a valid
patient-specific prescription or order for that patient (e.g., drawing up a syringe to
administer directly to the patient). FDA does not consider this to be “repackaging” for
purposes of this guidance.



Diluting or mixing a biological product at the point of care for immediate administration
to a single patient after receipt of a valid patient-specific prescription or order for that
patient (e.g., diluting or mixing into a syringe to administer directly to the patient).



Mixing, diluting, or repackaging a licensed biological product when the product is being
mixed, diluted, or repackaged in accordance with the approved BLA as described in the
approved labeling for the product. FDA considers this to be an approved manipulation of
the product.



Mixing, diluting, or repackaging of blood and blood components for transfusion,7
vaccines, cell therapy products, or gene therapy products. This guidance does not alter
FDA’s existing approach to regulating the collection and processing of blood and blood
components for transfusion. In addition, FDA intends to consider regulatory action if
licensed vaccines, cell therapy products, and gene therapy products are subject to
additional manufacturing, including mixing, diluting, or repackaging, in ways not

5

FDA is considering the applicability of the policies described in this guidance to hospitals and health systems and
intends to address these issues in separate guidance.
6

The repackaging of biological products approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act is addressed in a separate
guidance for industry, Repackaging of Certain Human Drug Products by Pharmacies and Outsourcing Facilities
(January 2017), available at https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/Guidances/UCM434174.pdf.
7

This guidance does apply to licensed, plasma-derived biological products, including recombinant and transgenic
versions of plasma derivatives that are mixed, diluted, or repackaged outside the scope of an approved BLA.

2

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
specified in the product’s approved BLA as described in the approved labeling for the
product.


Investigational new drugs being studied under an investigational new drug application.
This guidance does not alter FDA’s existing approach to regulating investigational new
drugs.

As stated above, this guidance does not address the mixing, diluting, or repackaging of a
biological product for which a marketing application could properly be submitted under section
505 of the FD&C Act (see section 7002(e) of the Affordable Care Act). Accordingly, in this
guidance, the term biological product does not include products for which a marketing
application can be or has been submitted under section 505 of the FD&C Act.
Section II of this guidance provides background on biological products and the legal framework
for FDA’s regulation of these products and explains that sections 503A and 503B of the FD&C
Act (21 U.S.C. 353a and 21 U.S.C. 353b, respectively) do not provide exemptions for mixing,
diluting, or repackaging of biological products. Section III describes FDA’s policy on mixing,
diluting, or repackaging of certain licensed biological products that is not within the scope of the
product’s approved BLA as described in the approved labeling for the product.
In general, FDA’s guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities.
Instead, guidances describe the Agency’s current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only
as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of
the word should in Agency guidances means that something is suggested or recommended, but
not required.

II.

BACKGROUND
A.

Biological Products

The term “biological product” is defined in section 351(i)(1) of the PHS Act as
a virus, therapeutic serum, toxin, antitoxin, vaccine, blood, blood component or
derivative, allergenic product, protein (except any chemically synthesized polypeptide),
or analogous product, or arsphenamine or derivative of arsphenamine (or any other
trivalent organic arsenic compound), applicable to the prevention, treatment, or cure of a
disease or condition of human beings.

Biological products can be complex chains or combinations of sugars, amino or nucleic acids, or
living entities such as cells and cellular therapies. Biological products include therapeutic
proteins, monoclonal antibodies, allergenic extracts, blood and blood derivatives, cell therapy
products, gene therapy products, preventive vaccines, and therapeutic vaccines. Generally,
biological products have a complex set of structural features (e.g., amino acid sequence,
glycosylation, folding) essential to their intended effect and are very sensitive to changes to their
manufacturing process, including but not limited to any manipulation outside of their approved
container-closure systems. In addition, many biological products are particularly sensitive to
3

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
storage and handling conditions and can break down or aggregate if exposed to heat or light, if
dropped, or if shaken during storage and handling. Accordingly, in the absence of manufacturing
controls, diluting or mixing a biological product with other components or repackaging a
biological product by removing it from its approved container-closure system and transferring it
to another container-closure system is highly likely to affect the safety or effectiveness of the
biological product. Biological products are also particularly susceptible to microbial
proliferation in a short period of time if contaminated.
Nevertheless, to meet the needs of a specific patient, certain licensed biological products are
sometimes mixed or diluted in a way not described in the product’s approved labeling . For
example, some biological products have no licensed pediatric strength or dosage form, so the
product is diluted for use in pediatric patients. There also may be certain circumstances where a
person would repackage a licensed biological product by removing it from its original container
and placing it into different containers in a manner that is not within the scope of the approved
BLA as described in the approved labeling for the product. Like other drugs, biological products
are sometimes repackaged for various reasons, including for pediatric or ophthalmic use. For
example, a pediatric dialysis unit may repackage a larger quantity of a product into smaller
aliquots so that the optimal dose may be administered to each pediatric dialysis patient being
treated at that particular time.
Repackaging a drug or biological product could change its characteristics in ways that have not
been evaluated during the approval process and that could affect the safety and effectiveness of
the product. Improper repackaging of drugs and biological products can cause serious adverse
events. Of particular concern is the repackaging of sterile drugs, which are susceptible to
contamination and degradation. For example, failure to properly repackage a sterile drug (such
as a biological product) under appropriate aseptic conditions could introduce contaminants that
could cause serious patient injury or death. Repackaging practices that conflict with approved
product labeling have led to product degradation, resulting in adverse events associated with
impurities in the product or lack of efficacy because the active ingredient has deteriorated. These
risks are often even more acute for biological products due to their complex composition and
sensitivity to variations in storage and handling conditions.
Cell and gene therapy products often contain viable cells or intact/active viral vectors. The
manufacturing process for these products is complex and includes multiple controls to assure the
product’s safety, purity, and potency. Many cell therapy products are cryopreserved, and the
procedures for thawing and handling in preparation for administration described in the approved
labeling must be followed to maintain the safety and effectiveness of the product. Because these
products are frequently implanted or administered intravenously and are not typically amenable
to terminal sterilization, their microbiological safety is dependent largely on facility design,
aseptic technique, and manufacturing protocols that are best controlled by robust quality systems.
Vaccines are manufactured using biological systems and supplied by manufacturers in single- or
multi-dose presentations. Unlike most other drugs and biological products, vaccines are
administered to healthy individuals, including infants, to prevent disease. Vaccines may contain
live attenuated organisms, inactivated organisms, or components of bacteria or viruses such as
polysaccharides, inactivated toxins, or purified proteins. The manufacturing process for vaccines
4

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
is complex and includes multiple controls to assure safety and effectiveness. Each single dose of
a vaccine is formulated to deliver the correct quantity of an active ingredient to the recipient.
Because of the particularly sensitive nature of these products as described above, the policies in
this guidance do not cover cell therapy products, gene therapy products, and vaccines.
The policies in this guidance also do not cover or alter FDA’s existing approach to regulating the
collection and processing of blood and blood components for transfusion. These activities are
currently conducted in FDA-licensed or -registered blood collection establishments and in
hospital-based transfusion services regulated in part by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. In all instances, the
collection and processing of blood and blood components for transfusion is already subject to
current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) requirements under the existing statutory and
regulatory framework for blood and blood components and will not be subject to the policies
described here.
B.

Legal Framework for FDA’s Regulation of Biological Products

Section 351(a)(1) of the PHS Act prohibits the introduction into interstate commerce of any
biological product unless “a biologics license . . . is in effect for the biological product.” For
FDA to approve a BLA, the BLA must contain data to demonstrate that the biological product is
safe, pure, and potent and that the facility in which the biological product will be manufactured,
processed, packed, or held meets standards designed to assure that the biological product
continues to be safe, pure, and potent (see section 351(a)(2)(C) of the PHS Act). Because
manufacturing controls are so important to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of biological
products, FDA licensing of a biological product is based in part on an extensive review of
chemistry and manufacturing controls data submitted by the applicant. This includes a thorough
evaluation of the raw materials, drug substance, and drug product to ensure consistency in
manufacturing and continued safety and effectiveness. In addition, other data are submitted and
reviewed (e.g., stability and compatibility testing results) to establish the storage and handling
conditions appropriate to ensure the safety, purity, and potency of the biological product.
A biological product that is mixed, diluted, or repackaged outside the scope of an approved BLA
is an unlicensed biological product under section 351 of the PHS Act. For example, if a licensed
biological product is diluted or mixed with components other than those described in the
approved labeling for the product, or if it is removed from its original container-closure system
and placed in a new container-closure system that is not described in the approved labeling for
the product, these additional manufacturing steps would create a new, unlicensed biological
product. To be legally marketed, the new biological product would have to be licensed on the
basis of an approved BLA that includes, among other things, chemistry and manufacturing
controls data.
C.

Sections 503A and 503B of the FD&C Act Do Not Exempt Biological
Products From the Premarket Approval Requirements of the PHS Act or
From Provisions of the FD&C Act

5

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
Section 503A of the FD&C Act exempts compounded drugs from sections 505 (concerning new
drug approval of human drug products), 502(f)(1) (concerning labeling of drug products with
adequate directions for use), and 501(a)(2)(B) (concerning CGMP) of the FD&C Act, provided
that certain conditions are met, including that the drug is compounded pursuant to a prescription
for an individually identified patient from a licensed practitioner.
The Drug Quality and Security Act added a new section 503B to the FD&C Act. Under section
503B(b) of the FD&C Act, a compounder can register with FDA as an outsourcing facility.
Drug products compounded under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist in an
outsourcing facility can qualify for exemptions from the FDA approval requirements in section
505 of the FD&C Act and the requirement to label drug products with adequate directions for use
under section 502(f)(1) of the FD&C Act if the conditions in section 503B are met. Drugs
compounded in outsourcing facilities are not exempt from the CGMP requirements of section
501(a)(2)(B).
Although sections 503A and 503B provide an exemption for certain compounded drugs from the
requirement to obtain premarket approval under section 505 of the FD&C Act, they do not
provide an exemption from the requirement to obtain premarket approval under section 351 of
the PHS Act. Manufacturers of biological products must obtain an approved license under
section 351(a) or (k) of the PHS Act. Thus, for purposes of sections 503A and 503B, a drug
does not include any biological product that is subject to licensure under section 351 of the PHS
Act. Accordingly, such biological products are not eligible for the exemptions for compounded
drugs under sections 503A and 503B of the FD&C Act. In other words, the FD&C Act does not
provide a legal pathway for marketing biological products that have been prepared outside the
scope of an approved BLA.

III.

POLICY

Because biological products are sometimes mixed, diluted, or repackaged in ways not addressed
in labeling approved for the product under section 351 of the PHS Act, but do not qualify for the
exemptions in sections 503A or 503B of the FD&C Act, FDA has developed this guidance to
explain the conditions under which FDA does not intend to take action when certain biological
products are mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a manner not described in their approved labeling.
A.

General Conditions

This guidance addresses the mixing, diluting, or repackaging of a licensed biological product, not
a biological product licensed for further manufacturing use only or a bulk drug substance. The
policies expressed in this guidance do not extend to any person or entity that mixes, dilutes, or
repackages a biological product from any other starting material. For example, a licensed
biological product mixed with a bulk drug substance would not be subject to the policies in this
guidance. Consistent with section 351 of the PHS Act, an entity seeking to mix, dilute, or
repackage a biological product licensed for further manufacturing use only, or a bulk drug
substance, or to mix a licensed biological product with a bulk drug substance must first submit a
BLA and obtain a license for the product.
6

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

Furthermore, the policies expressed in this guidance apply only to the mixing, diluting, or
repackaging of certain licensed biological products in accordance with the conditions specified in
section III of this guidance. Except as described in section III, the Agency intends to consider
regulatory action if a licensed biological product is subject to additional manufacturing outside
of the conditions specified in the approved labeling for the licensed product, including mixing,
diluting, or repackaging.
As described in section II.B, a biological product that is mixed, diluted, or repackaged outside
the scope of an approved BLA is an unlicensed biological product under section 351 of the PHS
Act. To be legally marketed, the new biological product would have to be the subject of an
approved BLA and made in accordance with all other requirements applicable to biological
products, including CGMP requirements.
B.

Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Licensed Biological Products8

FDA does not intend to take action for violations of section 351 of the PHS Act or sections
502(f)(1) or 582 of the FD&C Act if a state-licensed pharmacy, a f
ederal facility, or an outsourcing facility mixes, dilutes, or repackages a biological product in
accordance with the conditions described below, and any applicable requirements.9 In addition,
FDA does not intend to take action for violations of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act when
a state-licensed pharmacy or a Federal facility mixes, dilutes, or repackages a biological product
in accordance with the conditions described below, and any applicable requirements.10
The conditions referred to in the preceding paragraph are as follows:
1. The FDA-licensed biological product is a biological product that is mixed, diluted, or
repackaged, not a biological product licensed for further manufacturing use only or a bulk
drug substance. Additionally, a licensed biological product is not combined with a biological
product licensed for further manufacturing use only or with a bulk drug substance. Any
materials used in mixing or diluting are sterile, pharmaceutical grade,11 and otherwise
appropriate for such use.

Section III.B does not apply to allergenic extracts. For FDA’s policy concerning the preparation of prescription
sets for subcutaneous immunotherapy, refer to section III.C of this guidance.
8

9

Applicable requirements include, for example, the requirement that manufacturers not adulterate a biological
product by preparing, packing, or holding the drug under insanitary conditions. See section 501(a)(2)(A) of the
FD&C Act.
10

For purposes of the applicability of the conditions in this guidance document, references to a state-licensed
pharmacy or federal facility do not include a facility that is registered as an outsourcing facility under section 503B
of the FD&C Act.
11

For purposes of this guidance, pharmaceutical grade refers to materials that are suitable for administration in
humans.

7

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
2. The biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a state-licensed pharmacy, a
federal facility, or an outsourcing facility.
3. The biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged by or under the direct supervision of
a licensed pharmacist.
4. If the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a state-licensed pharmacy or a
federal facility, it is distributed12 only after the receipt of a valid prescription for an
individually identified patient (including a written order or notation in a patient’s chart in a
health care setting) directly from the prescribing practitioner or patient. This condition does
not apply to biological products mixed, diluted, or repacked in an outsourcing facility.13
5. Except as provided below, the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged, then
stored and shipped in a way that does not conflict with the approved labeling for the licensed
biological product.14
o For a biological product packaged in a single-dose vial that is mixed, diluted, or
repackaged, the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a way that does
not conflict with the approved labeling, except for the statements designating the
product as a single-dose or single-use product, and related language (e.g., discard
remaining contents).15
o For a biological product repackaged by an outsourcing facility that assigns a beyond
use date (BUD) to the product in accordance with Appendix A of this guidance, the
biological product is repackaged in a way that does not conflict with the approved
labeling, except for the statements regarding the product’s labeled in-use time (and
any statements designating the product as a single-dose or single-use product, as
described immediately above).

12

Distributed means that the mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological product has left the facility in which it was
mixed, diluted, or repackaged.
13

Note, however, that drugs produced by outsourcing facilities, including drugs that are also biological products,
remain subject to the requirements in section 503B of the FD&C Act. Therefore, a prescription drug, including a
biological product, cannot be dispensed to a patient without a prescription.
14

For example, if the approved labeling for the licensed biological product contains instructions for handling or
storage of the product, the mixing, diluting, or repackaging is done in accordance with those instructions.
Otherwise, it would be considered to be in conflict with the approved labeling for the licensed biological product.
15

For example, Avastin (bevacizumab) is packaged in a single-dose vial. This condition could be satisfied even if
Avastin is repackaged into multiple single dose syringes despite the fact that the label of the approved product states,
“Single-use vial . . . Discard unused portion.” However, this condition would not be satisfied if Avastin is mixed,
diluted, or repackaged in a manner that conflicts with other language in the approved labeling (e.g., regarding the
appropriate diluent and storage conditions).

8

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
6. The container-closure system16 (e.g., syringe) into which the mixed, diluted, or repackaged
biological product is placed is suitable for storage of the biological product through its
BUD17 and the primary packaging is sterile.
7. If the labeling for the licensed biological product includes storage or handling instructions
(e.g., protect from light, do not freeze, keep at specified storage temperature), the labeling for
the biological product that is mixed, diluted, or repackaged specifies the same storage
conditions.18
8. If the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a state-licensed pharmacy or
federal facility, the duration of time from beginning (i.e., when the original biological
product to be repackaged or to be used for mixing or diluting is punctured or otherwise
opened) to end of mixing, diluting, or repackaging is no more than four hours.
9. As described in section II of this guidance, biological products are very susceptible to
product quality concerns when mixed, diluted, or repackaged. For example, because
biological products provide a rich media for microbial growth, they are particularly
susceptible to microbial proliferation over time if contaminated. Therefore, the mixed,
diluted, or repackaged biological product is given a BUD19 that is not longer than the
applicable BUD specified below. The BUD timeframes in this condition begin from the time
in which the container of the original biological product to be repackaged or to be used for
mixing or diluting is punctured or otherwise opened.
a. If the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged by a state-licensed
pharmacy or a federal facility, it is given a BUD that:
-

does not exceed the time frame within which the opened product is to be used
as specified in the approved labeling of the licensed biological product for any
manipulation (“in-use time”) or the expiration date of the biological product
20
being mixed, diluted, or repackaged, whichever is shorter;
or

16

A container-closure system is the sum of packaging components that together contain and protect the dosage
form. This includes primary packaging components and secondary packaging components, if the latter are intended
to provide additional protection to the drug product.
For example, for state-licensed pharmacies and federal facilities, information provided by the container’s
manufacturer could indicate that the container is suitable for biological products mixed, diluted, or repackaged in
accordance with this condition. CGMP requirements address container suitability and drug stability for outsourcing
facilities.
17

18

See section IV of this guidance.

19

The BUD is the date beyond which a biological product should not be used.

For example, the approved labeling for Avastin states that “diluted Avastin solutions may be stored at 2-8ºC (3646ºF) for up to 8 hours. Store in the original carton until time of use.” Therefore, assigning a BUD to repackaged
Avastin of 8 hours, provided that the repackaged Avastin is stored between 2ºC and 8ºC, would be consistent with
conditions 5 and 9. Although the approved labeling refers to diluted Avastin, FDA believes that this BUD is also
appropriate for repackaged Avastin because of the potential for time-related product quality problems at a longer
BUD. For example, FDA is concerned about the potential for microbial proliferation if Avastin is inadvertently
20

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Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

-

if the approved labeling does not specify an in-use time and the product is
refrigerated, the in-use time is not longer than 24 hours, or the expiration date
of the biological product being mixed, diluted, or repackaged, whichever is
shorter.

b. Regarding outsourcing facilities:
i. If the biological product is mixed or diluted, it is given a BUD that
-

does not exceed the in-use time specified in the approved labeling of
the biological product or the expiration date of the biological product
being mixed or diluted, whichever is shorter; or

-

if the approved labeling does not specify an in-use time and the
product is refrigerated, the in-use time is not longer than 24 hours, or
the expiration date of the biological product being mixed or diluted,
whichever is shorter.

ii. If the biological product is repackaged by an outsourcing facility that does not
perform the testing described in Appendix A for that product, it is given a
BUD that21:
-

does not exceed the in-use time specified in the approved labeling of
the biological product or the expiration date of the biological product
being repackaged, whichever is shorter; or

-

if the approved labeling does not specify an in-use time and the
product is refrigerated, the in-use time is not longer than 24 hours or
the expiration date of the biological product being repackaged,
whichever is shorter.

iii. If the biological product is repackaged by an outsourcing facility that
performs the testing described in Appendix A for that product, the BUD is
assigned based on a stability program conducted in accordance with Appendix
A for each container closure system to be used, the BUD does not exceed the
expiration date of the biological product being repackaged, and the
contaminated while being repackaged, particularly because condition 9.a applies to facilities that likely do not
comply with CGMP requirements. Furthermore, the approved labeling for Avastin states, “Store in the original
carton until time of use,” which means it should be stored in the original carton until it is opened and diluted. At a
longer BUD, the Avastin could interact with the container in which it is repackaged, which may result in
degradation.
21

See condition 5, which states that the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a way that does not
conflict with the approved labeling for the licensed biological product. This means, for example, that the
repackaged biological product is stored in accordance with labeled storage conditions, including temperature.

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outsourcing facility maintains records of the testing performed in accordance
with Appendix A.22
10. The biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in accordance with the following:
a. If the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in a state-licensed pharmacy
or a federal facility, it is done in accordance with the United States Pharmacopeia
(USP) Chapter <797>,23 except the BUD is as specified in condition 9.
b. If the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged in an outsourcing facility, it
is done in accordance with CGMP requirements, except the BUD is as specified in
condition 9.24
For purposes of condition 10.b, FDA intends to apply the policies described in the
guidance, Current Good Manufacturing Practice — Interim Guidance for Human
Drug Compounding Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the FD&C Act
(July 2014),25 once that guidance is finalized, except for the following:
o See condition 9 and Appendix A of this guidance for FDA’s policies
concerning expiration dating or BUDs and stability testing for biological
products mixed, diluted, or repackaged by outsourcing facilities.
o See Appendix B of this guidance for FDA’s policies concerning release
testing requirements for biological products mixed, diluted, or repackaged by
outsourcing facilities. Appendix B describes the circumstances under which
FDA does not intend to take action against outsourcing facilities for failing to
conduct batch release testing required under 21 CFR part 211 of mixed,
diluted, or repackaged biological products.
11. The biological product is not sold or transferred by an entity other than the entity that mixed,
diluted, or repackaged the biological product. For purposes of this condition, a sale or
transfer does not include administration of a biological product in a health care setting.

22

See section IV of this guidance with respect to the maintenance of testing records.

23

For purposes of this condition, reference to the USP Chapter <797> means USP 40-NF 35 (2017). USP has
proposed revisions to USP Chapter <797> that would affect biological products. Once USP has considered the
public comments that it received and finalized the revised Chapter <797>, FDA intends to evaluate whether to revise
the reference in condition 10.a.
24

FDA does not intend to take action against an outsourcing facility for assigning a BUD to be used as an expiration
date in lieu of conducting stability studies required under 21 CFR part 211 if the BUD is assigned in accordance
with condition 9.b.
When final, this guidance will represent FDA’s current thinking on this topic. For the most recent version of a
guidance, check the FDA Drugs guidance web page at
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm.
25

11

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
12. The mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological product is distributed only in states in which the
facility mixing, diluting, or repackaging the biological product meets all applicable state
requirements.
13. If the biological product is mixed, diluted, or repackaged by an outsourcing facility: 26
a. The label on the immediate container (primary packaging, e.g., the syringe) of the
mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological product includes the following:
i. The statement “This biological product was mixed/diluted by [name of
outsourcing facility]” or “This biological product was repackaged by [name of
outsourcing facility],” whichever is appropriate
ii. The address and phone number of the outsourcing facility that mixed, diluted,
or repackaged the biological product
iii. The proper name of the licensed biological product that was mixed, diluted, or
repackaged
iv. The lot or batch number assigned by the outsourcing facility for the mixed,
diluted, or repackaged biological product
v. The dosage form and strength of the mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological
product
vi. A statement of either the quantity or the volume of the mixed, diluted, or
repackaged biological product, whichever is appropriate
vii. The date the biological product was mixed, diluted, or repackaged
viii. The BUD of the mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological product
ix. Storage and handling instructions for the mixed, diluted, or repackaged
biological product
x. The National Drug Code (NDC) number for the mixed, diluted, or repackaged
biological product, if available27
xi. The statement “Not for resale” and, if the biological product is distributed by
an outsourcing facility other than pursuant to a prescription for an individual
identified patient, the statement “Office Use Only”

26

See section IV of this guidance with respect to sections 13.a.i-x and xii, sections 13.b.i-ii, and section 13.c.

27

The NDC number for the original licensed biological product should not be placed on the mixed, diluted, or
repackaged biological product.

12

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
xii. If included on the label of the FDA-licensed biological product from which
the biological product is being mixed, diluted, or repackaged, a list of the
active and inactive ingredients in the FDA-licensed biological product, unless
such information is included on the label for the container from which the
individual units of the mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological product are
removed, as described below in 13.b.i; and, if the biological product is mixed
or diluted, a list of any ingredients that appear in the mixed or diluted product
in addition to those ingredients that are on the label of the original FDAlicensed biological product.
b. The label on the container from which the individual units are removed for
administration (secondary packaging, e.g., the bag, box, or other package in which the
mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological products are distributed) includes:
i. The active and inactive ingredients included on the label of the original FDAlicensed biological product, if the immediate product label is too small to
include this information
ii. Directions for use, including dosage and administration, as appropriate
iii. The following information to facilitate adverse event reporting:
www.fda.gov/medwatch and 1-800-FDA-1088.
c. The mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological product is included on a report
submitted to FDA each June and December identifying the drug products made by the
outsourcing facility during the previous 6-month period, including the active
ingredient; the source of the active ingredient; NDC number of the source ingredient,
if available; strength of the active ingredient per unit; the dosage form and route of
administration; the package description; the number of individual units mixed,
diluted, or repackaged;28 and the NDC number of the mixed, diluted, or repackaged
biological product, if assigned.29
d. The outsourcing facility reports serious adverse events to FDA that are associated
with its mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological products.30
Currently, FDA’s electronic drug reporting system is not configured to accept additional information that is
specific to biological products, such as license number. In the future, FDA intends to modify the system to accept
this information.
28

29

FDA has issued a guidance for industry, Electronic Drug Product Reporting for Human Drug Compounding
Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (December 2016),
available at https://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/newsevents/ucm424303.pdf. This guidance describes how
outsourcing facilities submit drug product reports to FDA. Although that guidance addresses reporting of
compounded drug products, outsourcing facilities should follow the same procedure to electronically report the
biological products they mixed, diluted, or repackaged.
30

FDA has issued a guidance for industry, Adverse Event Reporting for Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (October 2015), available at
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM434188.pdf,

13

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

C.

Licensed Allergenic Extracts for Subcutaneous Immunotherapy31

FDA recognizes that there are circumstances in which licensed allergenic extracts would be
mixed and diluted to provide subcutaneous immunotherapy to an individual patient, even though
these allergenic extract combinations are not specified in the approved BLAs for the licensed
biological products. Such combinations are commonly referred to as prescription sets.32 For the
purpose of this guidance, a prescription set is defined as a vial or set of vials of premixed
licensed standardized and non-standardized allergenic extracts for subcutaneous immunotherapy
diluted with an appropriate diluent prepared by a licensed physician for an individual patient
according to instructions from a valid prescription (including a chart order in a health care
setting).
FDA does not intend to take action for violations of section 351 of the PHS Act or sections
502(f)(1) or 582 of the FD&C Act if a physician, state-licensed pharmacy, federal facility, or
outsourcing facility prepares prescription sets of allergenic extracts in accordance with the
conditions described below, and any applicable requirements.
In addition, FDA does not intend to take action for violations of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the
FD&C Act when the prescription set is prepared by a physician, state-licensed pharmacy, or a
federal facility that is not registered with FDA as an outsourcing facility if the prescription set is
prepared in accordance with the conditions described below, and any applicable requirements.
The conditions referred to in the preceding two paragraphs are as follows:
1. The prescription set is prepared from FDA-licensed allergenic extracts and diluents that are
sterile, pharmaceutical grade, and otherwise appropriate for such use.
2. The prescription set is prepared in a physician’s office, state-licensed pharmacy, federal
facility, or outsourcing facility.

which describes how outsourcing facilities submit adverse event reports to FDA and the content and format of the
reports that they are required to submit. Although that guidance addresses reporting of adverse events associated
with compounded drug products, outsourcing facilities should follow the procedure described in that guidance to
electronically report adverse events associated with the biological products they mixed, diluted, or repackaged.
Allergenic extracts are subject to FDA’s BLA and investigational new drug application requirements. The policies
described in this guidance only apply to allergenic extracts for subcutaneous immunotherapy; they do not apply to
allergenic extracts for use in cutaneous diagnostic testing.
31

32

Under 21 CFR 610.17, licensed biological products must not be combined with other licensed products, either
therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic, except as covered by a license obtained for the combined product. All mixes
of allergenic extracts that are not prescription sets must be the subject of an approved BLA or have in effect an
investigational new drug application.

14

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
3. Each prescription set is distributed33 only after the receipt of a valid prescription for an
identified, individual patient (including a written order or notation in a patient’s chart in a
health care setting) directly from the prescribing practitioner or patient.
4. The prescription set is prepared in a way that does not conflict with approved labeling of the
licensed biological products that are part of the prescription set.34
5. The BUD for the prescription set is no later than the earliest expiration date of any allergenic
extract or any diluent that is part of the prescription set, and the BUD does not exceed one
year from the date the prescription set is mixed or diluted.35
6. The prescription set is prepared in accordance with the following:
a. If the prescription set is prepared in a State-licensed pharmacy or Federal facility, or
in a physician’s office, it is prepared in accordance with USP Chapter <797>,36
except the BUD is as specified in condition 5.
b. If the prescription set is prepared in an outsourcing facility, it is prepared in
accordance with applicable CGMP requirements, except the BUD is as specified in
condition 5.
For purposes of condition 6.b, FDA intends to apply the policies described in the
guidance, Current Good Manufacturing Practice — Interim Guidance for Human
Drug Compounding Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the FD&C Act,
once that guidance is finalized, except for the following:
o See condition 5 of this guidance for FDA’s policies concerning expiration
dating/BUDs for prescription sets prepared by outsourcing facilities.
o See Appendix B of this guidance for FDA’s policies concerning release
testing requirements for prescription sets prepared by outsourcing facilities.
Appendix B describes the circumstances under which FDA does not intend to
take action against outsourcing facilities for failing to conduct batch release
testing of prescription sets.
33

Distributed means that the prepared prescription set has left the facility in which it was prepared.

34

See note 14.

35

FDA does not intend to take action against an outsourcing facility for assigning a BUD to be used as an expiration
date in lieu of conducting stability studies required under 21 CFR part 211, so long as the outsourcing facility
assigns a BUD in accordance with this condition.
36

For purposes of this condition, the reference to the USP Chapter <797> means in USP 40-NF 35 (2017). USP has
proposed revisions to USP Chapter <797> that would affect biological products. Once USP has evaluated the public
comments that it received and finalized the revised Chapter <797>, FDA intends to consider whether condition 7
should refer to the updated chapter, or conditions should be adopted that are different than those included in final
Chapter <797>.

15

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

7. The prepared prescription set is not sold or transferred by an entity other than the entity that
prepared the prescription set. For purposes of this condition, a sale or transfer does not
include administration of a prescription set in a health care setting.
8. The prescription set is distributed only in states in which the facility preparing the
prescription set meets all applicable state requirements.
9. If the prescription set is prepared by an outsourcing facility:37
a. The label on any immediate containers (primary packaging) of the prescription set
includes the following:
i. The patient’s name as identified on the prescription or order
ii. The statement “This prescription set was prepared by [name of outsourcing
facility]”
iii. The address and phone number of the outsourcing facility that prepared the
prescription set
iv. The identity of each allergenic extract in the prescription set and the quantity
of each
v. The dilution of each dilution vial
vi. The lot or batch number of the prescription set
vii. The date the prescription set was prepared
viii. The BUD as the expiry date for the prescription set
ix. Storage and handling instructions for the prescription set
x. The statement “Not for resale”
b. The label of the container from which the individual units of the prescription set are
removed for administration (secondary packaging) includes the following information
to facilitate adverse event reporting: www.fda.gov/medwatch and 1-800-FDA-1088.
c. Each prescription set also is accompanied by instructions for use.
d. The prescription set is included in a report submitted to FDA each June and
December identifying the drug products made by the outsourcing facility during the
37

With respect to sections 9.a.i-ix; section 9.c; and section 9.d., see section IV of this guidance.

16

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
previous 6-month period, including the active ingredients; source of the active
ingredients; NDC number of the source ingredients, if available; strength of the active
ingredients per unit; the dosage form and route of administration; the package
description; the number of individual units produced; and the NDC number of the
final product, if assigned.38
e. The outsourcing facility reports serious adverse events to FDA that are associated
with its prescription sets.39
D.

Establishment Registration and Drug Listing

Under section 510(b)(1) of the FD&C Act, between October 1 and December 31 of each year,
every person who owns or operates any establishment in any State engaged in the manufacture,
preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a drug or drugs (including biological
products) is required to register with FDA, and under section 510(j) of the FD&C Act, every
person who registers with FDA under section 510(b) must list its drugs manufactured, prepared,
propagated, compounded, or processed for commercial distribution with the Agency. A drug is
misbranded under section 502(o) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 352(o)) if it was manufactured,
prepared, propagated, compounded, or processed in an establishment that is not registered under
section 510, or if it was not included on a list required by section 510(j). Pharmacies that mix,
dilute, or repackage biological products may qualify for an exemption from registration and
therefore also not be required to list their drugs with FDA. Specifically, under section 510(g)(1),
the registration requirement of section 510 does not apply to
pharmacies which maintain establishments in conformance with any applicable local laws
regulating the practice of pharmacy and medicine and which are regularly engaged in
dispensing prescription drugs or devices, upon prescriptions of practitioners licensed to
administer such drugs or devices to patients under the care of such practitioners in the
course of their professional practice, and which do not manufacture, prepare, propagate,
compound, or process drugs or devices for sale other than in the regular course of their
business of dispensing or selling drugs or devices at retail.

With respect to entities that do not qualify for the exemptions from registration under section 510
of the FD&C Act,40 FDA does not intend to take action against outsourcing facilities for
38

FDA has issued a guidance for industry, Electronic Drug Product Reporting for Human Drug Compounding
Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This guidance describes
how outsourcing facilities submit drug product reports to FDA. Although that guidance addresses reporting of
compounded drug products, outsourcing facilities should follow the same procedure to electronically report the
prescription sets that they prepared.
39

FDA has issued a guidance for industry, Adverse Event Reporting for Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which describes how outsourcing facilities submit adverse event
reports to FDA and the content and format of the reports that they are required to submit. Although that guidance
addresses reporting of adverse events associated with compounded drug products, outsourcing facilities should
follow the procedure described in that guidance to electronically report adverse events associated with the
prescription sets they prepared.
40

See also, 21 CFR 207.13.

17

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
violations of section 502(o) of the FD&C Act for failure to register and list under section 510
biological products that are mixed, diluted, or repackaged in accordance with this guidance.41

IV.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

This guidance contains information collection provisions that are subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501-3520). See footnotes 18, 22, 26, and 37. These provisions require review and are not in
effect until they display a currently valid OMB control number. The information collection
provisions in this guidance have been submitted to OMB for review as required by section
3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. FDA will publish a notice in the Federal
Register announcing OMB’s decision regarding the information collection provisions in this
guidance.

41

Outsourcing facilities that mix, dilute, or repackage biological products under this guidance are registered with
FDA under section 503B of the FD&C Act and report mixed, diluted, or repackaged biological products to FDA in
accordance with condition 13.c in section III.B or, for licensed allergenic extracts for subcutaneous immunotherapy,
condition 9.d in section III.C.

18

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
Appendix A
Assigning a BUD for Repackaged Biological Products Based On Stability Testing42
As noted above, outsourcing facilities are subject to CGMP requirements. For example, an
outsourcing facility that repackages biological products must have a written stability testing
program that includes:43


Sample size and test intervals based on statistical criteria for each attribute examined
to assure valid estimates of stability;



Storage conditions for samples retained for testing;



Stability-indicating test methods that are reliable, meaningful, and specific;



Evaluation of samples of the biological product in the same container closure system
as that in which the product is to be marketed by the outsourcing facility; and



Testing of biological products for reconstitution at the time of dispensing (as directed
in the labeling) and after reconstitution.

The initial time point for the tests described below is the time at which the outsourcing facility
conducts this testing on the initial source material (i.e., licensed biological product) used for
repackaging.
Stability testing is intended to confirm certain quality attributes of a repackaged biological
product held under the labeled storage conditions for the duration of the BUD. To assign a BUD
beyond 24 hours44 for a repackaged biological product and remain eligible for the policies
described in this guidance, the outsourcing facility would conduct a series of tests, described
below. Samples evaluated for stability must be representative of the batch from which they were
obtained (see 21 CFR 211.160 and 211.166). The data from each time point would be evaluated
against specifications that the outsourcing facility established for the repackaged product prior to
beginning the stability program. Specifications should be meaningful for the specific product
being tested, and the outsourcing facility should have scientific justification for each
specification.

42

Appendix A applies only to biological products repackaged by outsourcing facilities, and it does not apply to
prescription sets of allergenic extracts. BUDs for biological products mixed, diluted, or repackaged by statelicensed pharmacies or Federal facilities that are not outsourcing facilities are addressed in section III.B.9, and
BUDs for prescription sets of allergenic extracts are addressed in section III.C.5.
43

See 21 CFR 211.166.

44

See condition III.B.9 of this guidance. Note that under this condition, the BUD does not exceed the expiration date
of the licensed biological product being repackaged, even if the BUD is assigned on the basis of stability testing
under this appendix.

19

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
After specifications have been established, the outsourcing facility would conduct the testing
described below on one lot of a particular biological product in the container into which it will be
repackaged to establish the BUD for that product, and then the outsourcing facility would
conduct these tests on one lot annually and whenever the formulation of the biological product
being repackaged or the container into which it is being repackaged may have changed.45 In lieu
of performing the testing itself, the outsourcing facility may contract with a testing facility to
perform this testing.46
When establishing the BUD for a repackaged biological product, if the data for any test does not
meet the established specifications, the BUD is limited to the time point at which all of the data
remained within specifications.47 For this reason, FDA recommends testing at one or more
interim time points. If the data at the last time point do not confirm the stability of the product at
the desired BUD (e.g., some measurements fall outside of the established specifications) but the
data at the interim meet the established specifications, assigning a BUD equal to the interim time
point would be consistent with the policies in this guidance.
The stability studies are performed for each container-closure system to be used.
FDA does not intend to take action against an outsourcing facility for non-compliance with 21
CFR 211.166 when it repackages biological products in accordance with the conditions set forth
in this guidance provided that it conducts a stability program that includes, at minimum, the
following tests. The outsourcing facility conducts these tests at each time point, except where
specified:
1. Nondestructive Tests48
The following tests are conducted to assure consistency with the biological product being
repackaged and its approved labeling:


Appearance



Color and clarity

45

This is intended to assure that the product remains stable under labeled storage conditions for the duration of the
BUD in the event of a change in the formulation of the biological product being repackaged or in the container into
which it will be repackaged that the outsourcing facility is not aware of.
46

When an outsourcing facility seeks the services of a contract facility to perform all or part of the testing of a
biological product, the outsourcing facility’s quality control unit is responsible for approving and rejecting
biological products tested by the contractor, and the outsourcing facility is responsible for assuring the stability of
the repackaged biological product. See 21 CFR 200.10(b) and 211.22(a). See also guidance for industry, Contract
Manufacturing Arrangements for Drugs: Quality Agreements. We recommend that the testing facility be ISO 17025
accredited.
47

If the outsourcing facility receives failing results, it decreases the BUD to the time point at which all data
remained within specifications and notifies its customers who received the product of the failing results and provides
an alternate date by which the product should be used or discarded.
48

If the container occludes visible determination of appearance, color, particulates, these tests are conducted without
the container as part of the destructive tests (e.g., subvisible particulates).

20

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations



Visible particulates
2. Destructive chemical tests

The tests to be conducted include:


pH



Subvisible particles
o (See e.g., USP Chapter <788> Particulate Matter in Injections or USP
Chapter <789> Particulate Matter for Ophthalmic Solutions, as appropriate,
for the route of administration. When the repackaged biological product being
tested amounts to less than 1 mL, the outsourcing facility may complete this
test by pooling a minimum of 10 units of the product and increasing the
volume with particle free water in accordance with USP Chapter <788>.



Protein content
o See USP Chapter <1057> Biotechnology-Derived Articles – Total Protein
Assay).



Product-related impurities including, at a minimum, protein aggregation, and variants
in the size and charge of the protein49



Potency
o See Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for
Biotechnological/Biological Products (“ICH Q6B validated assay”) for
developing a validated assay or purchasing a kit containing a validated assay.
It is the outsourcing facility’s responsibility to select an appropriate kit and to
demonstrate that it is using the kit properly and obtaining repeatable data.
3. Sterility and container closure integrity tests



The outsourcing facility conducts a sterility test at the time when the product is
repackaged
o See 21 CFR 610.12 and USP Chapter <71> Sterility Tests.50

49

In general, these impurities can be characterized by standard biochemical methods, including but not limited to
SE-HPLC or SDS PAGE.
50

Sterility testing should be conducted using USP General Chapter <71> Sterility Tests. Any other method used for
sterility testing should be validated.

21

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations


The outsourcing facility conducts either a sterility test or a container closure integrity
test
o See USP Chapter <1207> Sterile Product Packaging—Integrity Evaluation) at
additional time points.
4. Shipping

The outsourcing facility ensures that the biological product remains stable and maintains
appropriate package integrity during shipping. For example, the outsourcing facility ensures that
the temperature throughout the shipping period does not deviate from the recommended storage
temperature range set forth in the approved product labeling for the licensed biological product.

22

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
Appendix B
Release Testing for Biological Products Mixed, Diluted, or Repackaged by Outsourcing
Facilities
21 CFR 211.165 and 211.167 require that finished drug products be tested to determine whether
they meet final product specifications before their release for distribution. 21 CFR 211.22
requires the establishment of a quality control unit, which is responsible for ensuring that the
finished drug product is not released until this testing is conducted and the results confirm that
the finished drug product meets specifications.


FDA does not intend to take action against an outsourcing facility for failing to
conduct batch51 release testing under 21 CFR 211.165 and 211.167 for mixed, diluted,
or repackaged biological products that are assigned a BUD that does not exceed the
in-use time of the licensed biological product or 24 hours (in accordance with
condition III.B.9 herein) and that are mixed, diluted, or repackaged in accordance
with all of the other conditions of this guidance and any applicable requirements.



FDA does not intend to take action against an outsourcing facility for failing to
conduct batch release testing under 21 CFR 211.165 and 211.167 for biological
products that the outsourcing facility repackaged in accordance with the conditions of
this guidance and that are assigned a BUD in accordance with Appendix A, provided
that the outsourcing facility conducts the following release tests on each batch of
biological products that it has repackaged and, except with respect to sterility testing,
receives passing results prior to distribution:
o Sterility (the outsourcing facility initiates sterility testing before release and
notifies customers of any failing results)
o Endotoxin52
o Color
o Clarity
o Visible particulates
o Subvisible particulates



51

FDA does not intend to take action against an outsourcing facility for failing to
conduct batch release testing under 21 CFR 211.165 and 211.167 for prescription sets

See definition of “batch” at 21 CFR 210.3(b)(2).

52

For finished products repackaged from starting materials that are sterile and nonpyrogenic, endotoxin testing can
be conducted on all starting materials (through testing of the starting materials, reliance on a statement of the limit
met on a certificate of analysis, or where specified in an applicable USP monograph) or through testing of samples
of the finished product. An outsourcing facility should not rely on the fact that a starting material is labeled
nonpyrogenic to ensure that the finished product will meet the appropriate endotoxin limit because starting
materials, including FDA-licensed products, may have been tested against different endotoxin limits, depending on
the intended dose and the route of administration. See also the guidance for industry Pyrogens and Endotoxin
Testing: Questions and Answers (June 2012), available at
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/guidances/ucm310098.pdf.

23

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
that the outsourcing facility prepared in accordance with the conditions described in
this guidance, provided that the outsourcing facility conducts the following release
tests on each prescription set (at minimum, the first vial) that it has prepared, and it
receives passing test results prior to distribution:
o Sterility
o Color
o Visible particulates

24