GLOSSARY 60
GUIDANCE REFERENCES 62
GENERAL REFERENCES 63
Disclaimer
This document was produced and is disseminated by the Pharmaceutical Blow-Fill-Seal International Operators Association (the “Association”) as a service of the Association solely for the convenience of its members. These ‘Points to Consider’ are an effort to provide a compilation of current Blow-Fill-Seal (“BFS”) manufacturing operations and practices. In producing this document, the Association has attempted to reflect accurately the current state of BFS manufacturing operations on a worldwide basis. However, the Association makes no claim whatsoever regarding these ‘Points to Consider’ to any user of these ‘Points to Consider’, including without limitation, any claim that the document:
– contains no errors
– covers all actual or potential aspects of BFS operations
– is in all instances completely up to date in its description or outline of current practice
– represent the unanimous [or consensus] opinion of the BFS industry or the Association members
– reflects the requirements of all applicable laws
All use of these ‘Points to Consider’ shall be at the user’s sole risk.
This document, and the procedures contained in the ‘Points to Consider’, has not been reviewed by, nor have they been endorsed by, filed or registered with, any governmental agency having jurisdiction over these matters. This document do not create any rights for, or confer any rights upon, any person, nor do they operate to bind the international and national authorities (FDA, European Commission, any other federal, state or local regulatory agency), or the public, in any manner. Where these ‘Points to Consider’ reiterate a requirement imposed by statute or regulation, the requirement’s having the force and effect of law is not changed or affected in any way by virtue of its inclusion in this document, nor does such inclusion give these ‘Points to Consider’ the force of law.
The mention in this document of commercial products, their sources, or their use in connection with matters described in the ‘Points to Consider’ is not, and is not to be construed as, either an actual or implied endorsement of such products by the Association.
The Association shall not be liable for, and disclaims all liability for, any and all losses, costs or damages, however arising, whether direct or indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive or exemplary, incurred as a result of or in connection with any person’s following, or failing to follow, these ‘Points to Consider’.
The BFS process is a technical one and appropriate and adequately trained expert personnel must be employed at each stage of the BFS process.
1. INTRODUCTION
Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) technology has been used for pharmaceutical and liquid medical device manufacturing since the 1970s. This processing technology has become accepted worldwide for both aseptic and terminally sterilised liquid products and is currently used in more than 50 countries throughout the world.
BFS technology lacks harmonisation and specific standards on a worldwide basis. As a result, the technology has developed in an isolated fashion, with each company and each regulatory agency establishing its own interpretation of acceptable BFS practice.
In 1989, the Pharmaceutical Blow-Fill-Seal International Operators Association (BFS IOA) was established as an interest group of pharmaceutical and associated companies actively involved with BFS processing. The Association was formed to provide its members with an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions, and to formulate agreement on operating standards. It also provides a forum to speak with a unified voice to machine manufacturers, commercial suppliers, and regulatory bodies. The Association has expanded worldwide and now has over 60 member companies.
In an attempt to establish a common understanding of acceptable practice in BFS processing, the Association first published a “Points to Consider for Pharmaceutical Blow-Fill-Seal Manufacturing Operations” (PTC) document in September 1993. The document addressed points specific to BFS processing but also covered many more general areas. The current PTC document focuses on issues specific or unique to BFS technology and has undergone periodic review and systematic updates since its inception.
This document is the culmination of several reviews during 2010 and 2011 and the most current version is from March 2012.
The document is structured into 3 main sections covering design, start-up/validation, and routine operation. Within each section, Product, Equipment and Facility are considered.
| Design | Initial start-up | Routine operation | |
| Product | |||
| Equipment | |||
| Facility |
2. OBJECTIVE
The objective of the ‘Points to Consider’ document is to provide recommendations specific to the operation of Blow-Fill-Seal technology for the manufacture of sterile pharmaceuticals and liquid medical devices. The principles of BFS technology as applied to filling are considered to be the same in terms of machine process for both aseptically filled and terminally sterilised products.
This document provides information to supplement and to assist with interpretation of international standards and regulatory guidance from the perspective of BFS operations, and considers specific aspects of BFS operation which are not covered by existing published information.
The PTC is intended as a guide for industry and is not meant to supplant or duplicate any existing regulatory guidance. A list of current regulatory guidance references is provided in the Appendix.
3. BFS PROCESS OUTLINE
Blow-Fill-Seal technology is a pharmaceutical filling process in which containers are formed from a thermoplastic granulate, filled with product and then sealed in a continuous, integrated, automatic operation. Originally developed for use in other industries, BFS technology has been adapted for use in the manufacture of sterile pharmaceutical, medical device, biological, and veterinary products. The two most common types of BFS machines are the shuttling machine (with parison cut) and the rotary machine (closed parison) types. Both are considered in this document.
In the process, bulk solution/suspension is delivered to the filling machine, through the filling system to the filling needles (“mandrels”).
Polymer granules are extruded under pressure (up to 350 bar) as a hot (approx. 180°C) mouldable plastic tube (“parison”) or set of parisons.
3.1 Shuttle Type Machines
A downward flow of sterile filtered air is passed through the parison (parison support air) to prevent collapse of the molten tube. The 2 halves of a mould close around the parison(s) to form the body of the container(s). Simultaneously, the newly formed container in the mould is cut free from the parison by a “knife”.
The mould is transferred to the filling position.
The filling mandrel is lowered into the plastic tube and the container is shaped either by vacuum or with sterile blowing air or other inert gas