EDQM: Microbiological control symposium

A symposium on microbiology in the pharmaceutical sector was the opportunity for the EDQM to gather feedback from users of the European Pharmacopoeia on alternative testing methods for microbiological control and sterilisation processes. The event, which took place in Strasbourg on 10-11 October 2017, was attended by a wide range of experts in the pharmaceutical and microbiological fields who reviewed the latest trends and innovations in the field of microbiology, in addition to Pharmacopoeial approaches and related regulatory requirements.

Over recent years, the European Pharmacopoeia has given pharmaceutical manufacturers access to new chapters for microbiological control, kick-starting a new era for the world of microbiology and rendering the uptake of modern microbiological methods an evolution already in process, rather than a revolution.

Among the topics covered was the use of modern methods for microbiological control, with specific sessions focusing on sterilisation and biological indicators, rapid microbiological methods and control methods for cell therapy products and pharmaceutical water. Reports on successful new methods gave an overview of the potential benefits in terms of costs and time efficiency and, most importantly, in terms of quality. Authorities, manufacturers and suppliers of new technologies also discussed the current acceptance of these new methods at a regulatory level across the world. Over recent years, the European Pharmacopoeia has given pharmaceutical manufacturers access to new chapters for microbiological control, kick-starting a new era for the world of microbiology and rendering the uptake of modern microbiological methods an evolution already in process, rather than a revolution.

Various chapters of the European Pharmacopoeia have laid the foundations for the use of modern methods for microbiological control and have been available for more than ten years – notably 5.1.6. Alternative methods for control of microbiological quality, 2.6.7. Mycoplasmas, 2.6.12. Microbiological examination of non-sterile products: microbial enumeration tests and 2.6.27. Microbiological examination of cell-based preparations. Chapter 5.1.6 in particular was recently further revised to take into full account the latest technological developments and to provide clear guidance for validating alternative microbiological methods.