Leaching analysis laboratory according to USP 1663 and USP 1664

As a pharmaceutical manufacturer, you would like to carry out a leaching analysis in accordance with USP 1663 and USP 1664.

What is a leaching risk?

Leaching risk, in the context of the pharmaceutical industry and packaging materials, refers to the potential transfer of chemical substances from the packaging material to the pharmaceutical product. This phenomenon can occur when chemical compounds present in packaging materials, such as plastics, rubbers, inks, adhesives and coatings, migrate into the drug they contain. This migration process is often referred to as “leaching”.

What are the risks of leaching?

Risks associated with leaching include:

Contamination of the Pharmaceutical Product: Leached chemicals may contaminate the drug, affecting its purity, stability and safety.
Alteration of Drug Properties: Leached compounds may interact with the active ingredients or other components of the drug, potentially altering its efficacy, stability or dissolution profile.
Patient Health Risks: If leached substances are toxic or irritant, they may present a direct health risk to patients using the drug.
Regulatory Non-Compliance: The presence of unapproved leachates or leachates in excess of authorized limits can lead to compliance problems with pharmaceutical regulations, such as those established by the USP, FDA, and other regulatory bodies.

What do USP 1663 and USP 1664 say?

USP 1663 and USP 1664 are United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines focused on assessing the leaching risks of packaging materials in contact with pharmaceutical products.

USP 1663

This section focuses on the identification and quantification of extractable compounds likely to be released from packaging materials into the drug. This includes establishing protocols for the extraction and analysis of chemical compounds that could migrate from packaging or delivery systems into the drug product. The aim is to understand the profile of extractables to assess potential risks to drug stability and patient safety.

USP 1664

This section complements USP 1663 by focusing on leachates, i.e. chemical compounds that are actually transferred from the packaging material to the drug product under normal conditions of use. USP 1664 aims to assess the impact of leachates on the quality, efficacy and safety of the drug product, using analytical methods to detect and quantify these compounds.

FILAB supports pharmaceutical manufacturers in leaching analysis according to USP 1663 and USP 1664

Why choose FILAB for your USP 1663 and USP 1664 analyses?

The FILAB laboratory, expert in materials analysis and characterization, offers guidance to manufacturers on how to assess and control potential contamination of pharmaceutical products by packaging materials.

OUR TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Did you know?

FILAB laboratory is COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited on the following scope, since 2015: Analysis and determination of elemental impurities and minerals including heavy metals by ICP-AES and ICP-MS in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products according to European Pharmacopoeia 2.4.20 and USP 233

The positive aspects of FILAB

  • A highly qualified team

  • Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests

  • A complete analytical park of 2100m²

  • Tailor-made support

Caroline KURZAWA
Caroline KURZAWA R&D Project Engineer
Ask for your quote
+33 (0)3 80 52 32 05 Request
a quote