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Q1A – Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products

Guideline number: Q1A(R2)
Status: Implementation (Step 5)
Adopted (Step 4): 6 February 2003

This Guideline has been revised a second time and has reached Step 4 of the ICH process in February 2003. This Guideline provides recommendations on stability testing protocols including temperature, humidity and trial duration for Climatic Zone I and II. Furthermore, the revised document takes into account the requirements for stability testing in Climatic Zones III and IV in order to minimise the different storage conditions for submission of a global dossier.

The ICH Harmonised Guideline was finalised under Step 4 in July 1997. This document covers the preclinical safety testing requirements for biotechnological products. It addresses the use of animal models of disease, determination of when genotoxicity assays and carcinogenicity studies should be performed, and the impact of antibody formation on duration of toxicology studies.

An addendum was proposed to provide clarification on S6 and an update of the following topics discussed in the original ICH S6 Guideline: species selection, study design, immunogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity and assessment of carcinogenic potential. The Harmonised addendum provides further complementary guidance to the S6 Guideline and helps to define the current recommendations and reduce the likelihood that substantial differences will exist among regions.

The addendum reached Step 4 of the harmonisation process in June 2011 and was integrated as part II in the core Guideline that was then renamed S6(R1).

Guideline

Annexes

Annexes

Guideline implementation

ANMAT, Argentina

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Implemented; Date: 17 October 2023; Reference: ANMAT Regulation 4061/2023
ANVISA, Brazil

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Implemented; Date: 7 November 2019; Reference: RDC nº 318/2019 and RDC 359/2020
COFEPRIS, Mexico

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Implemented; Date: 1 September 2015; Reference: NOM-073-SSA1-2015 Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products
EC, Europe

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Implemented; Date: 1 August 2003; Reference: CPMP/ICH/2736/99
EDA, Egypt

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Implemented; Date: 31 December 2015; Reference: Guidelines On Stability Testing Of Finished Pharmaceutical Products and Active Drug Substance
FDA, United States

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Implemented; Date: 1 November 2003; Reference: Vol. 68, No. 225, p. 65717-18
HSA, Singapore

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Implemented; Date: 1 January 2008; Reference: ASEAN Common Technical Dossier (ACTD) for the registration of pharmaceuticals for human use, Part II: Quality
Health Canada, Canada

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Implemented; Date: 25 September 2003; Reference: File #: 03-118437-914
JFDA, Jordan

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Implemented; Date: 1 March 2008;
MFDS, Republic of Korea

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Implemented; Date: 14 June 2016; Reference: Regulation on Stability Test of Pharmaceuticals [Appendix 4] Stability Testing Standard of New Drugs MFDS, Republic of Korea Notification
MHLW/PMDA, Japan

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Implemented; Date: 1 June 2003; Reference: PFSB/ELD Notification No. 0603001
MHRA, UK

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Implemented; Date: 1 August 2003;
NAFDAC, Nigeria

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Implemented; Date: 29 August 2024; Reference: DR&R-GDL-014-02
NMPA, China

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Implemented; Date: 5 February 2015; Reference: Technical Guideline for the Study of Stability of Chemical Drugs (APIs and Preparations) (published by CFDA)(2015)
SAHPRA, South Africa

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Implemented; Date: 1 May 2003; Reference: SAHPGL-PEM-02
SFDA, Saudi Arabia

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Implemented; Date: 3 May 2011;
Swissmedic, Switzerland

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Implemented; Date: 1 February 2003; Reference: ICH Guidelines apply in Switzerland automatically upon reaching Step 4: Swissmedic Journal 05/2006, p. 504
TFDA, Chinese Taipei

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Implemented; Date: 1 April 2005; Reference: Guideline on Stability Testing of Drug Substances and Products
TITCK, Türkiye

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Implemented; Date: 17 July 2017; Reference: Guideline for Stability Testing of Active Ingredients and Finished Products

Q+A

Q+A Status: Implementation (Step 5)
  • Stability