Section II Requirements for Veterinary Medicinal Products other than Biological Veterinary Medicinal Products

The following detailed requirements shall apply to veterinary medicinal products other than biological veterinary medicinal products, except where otherwise set out in Section IV.

II.1 Part 1: Summary of the dossier

Please refer to Section I.

II.2 Part 2: Quality documentation (physicochemical, biological or microbiological information)

II.2A. Product description

II.2A.1. Qualitative and quantitative composition

  • (1). Qualitative composition of all the constituents of the medicinal product shall mean the designation or description of:

    • (a) active substance(s)
    • (b) excipients, the constituents of the excipients, whatever their nature or the quantity used, including colouring matter, preservatives, adjuvants, stabilisers, thickeners, emulsifiers, flavouring and aromatic substances
    • (c) other constituents, intended to be ingested or otherwise administered to animals, of the outer covering of the veterinary medicinal products, such as capsules, gelatine capsules, intraruminal devices
    • (d) any relevant data concerning the immediate packaging and if relevant the outer packaging and, where appropriate, its manner of closure, together with details of devices with which the veterinary medicinal product will be used or administered and which will be supplied with the medicinal product

  • (2). The usual terminology to be used in describing the constituents of veterinary medicinal products means, notwithstanding the application of the other provisions of Schedule 1:

    • (a) in respect of substances which appear in the European Pharmacopoeia or, failing this, in the British Pharmacopoeia, the main title at the head of the monograph in question, with reference to the pharmacopoeia concerned
    • (b) in respect of other substances, the international non-proprietary name (INN) recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which may be accompanied by another non-proprietary name, or, failing these, the exact scientific designation
    • (c) constituents not having an international non-proprietary name or an exact scientific designation shall be described by a statement of how and from what they were prepared, supplemented, where appropriate, by any other relevant details
    • (d) in respect of colouring matter, designation by the “E” code assigned to them by Directive 2009/35/EC of the European Parliament and Council

  • (3). In order to give the quantitative composition of all the active substances and excipients of the veterinary medicinal products, it is necessary, depending on the pharmaceutical form concerned, to specify the mass, or the number of units of biological activity, either per dosage-unit or per unit of mass or volume, of each active substance and excipient.

  • (4). Units of biological activity shall be used for substances which cannot be defined chemically. Where an international unit of biological activity has been defined, this shall be used. Where no international unit has been defined, the units of biological activity shall be expressed in such a way as to provide unambiguous information on the activity of the substances by using where applicable the European Pharmacopoeia Units.

  • (5). Quantitative composition shall be supplemented:

    • (a) in respect of single-dose preparations: by the mass or units of biological activity of each active substance in the unit container, taking into account the usable volume of the product, after reconstitution, where appropriate
    • (b) in respect of veterinary medicinal products to be administered by drops: by the mass or units of biological activity of each active substance contained per drop or contained in the number of drops corresponding to 1 ml or 1 g of the preparation
    • (c) in respect of pharmaceutical forms to be administered in measured quantities: by the mass or units of biological activity of each active substance per measured quantity

  • (6.) Active substances present in the form of compounds or derivatives shall be described quantitatively by their total mass, and if necessary or relevant, by the mass of the active entity or entities of the molecule.

II. For veterinary medicinal products containing an active substance which is the subject of an application for marketing authorisation in Great Britain for the first time, the quantitative statement of an active substance which is a salt or hydrate shall be systematically expressed in terms of the mass of the active entity or entities in the molecule. All subsequently authorised veterinary medicinal products in Great Britain shall have their quantitative composition stated in the same way for the same active substance. 2A2.

Product development

  1. An explanation shall be provided with regard to the choice of composition, constituents, packaging, the intended function of the excipients in the finished product and the method of manufacture including justification of the selection of the method and details of the sterilisation processes and/or aseptic procedures used of the finished product. This explanation shall be supported by scientific data on development pharmaceutics. Any overage, with justification thereof, shall be stated. The microbiological characteristics (microbiological purity and antimicrobial activity) and usage instructions shall be proven to be appropriate for the intended use of the veterinary medicinal product as specified in the marketing authorisation application dossier.

  2. A study of the interaction between finished product and the primary packaging shall be submitted wherever the risk of such interaction is regarded as possible, especially where injectable preparations are concerned.

  3. The proposed pack sizes shall be justified in relation to the proposed route of administration, the posology and the target species in particular for antimicrobial (active) substances.

  4. When a dosing device is provided with the finished product, the accuracy of the doses(s) shall be demonstrated.

  5. When an accompanying test is recommended to be used with the finished product (e.g. a diagnostic test), relevant information about the test shall be provided.

  6. For veterinary medicinal products intended for incorporation into feed, information shall be provided on inclusion rates, instructions for incorporation, homogeneity in-feed and compatibility/suitable feed.

II. 2B. Description of the manufacturing method

  • (1.) The description of the manufacturing method accompanying the application for marketing authorisation pursuant to Schedule 1 shall be drafted in such a way as to give an adequate synopsis of the nature of the operations employed.

  • (2.) For that purpose, it shall include at least:

    • (a) the actual manufacturing formula for the proposed commercial batch size(s), with the quantitative particulars of all the substances used. Any substances that may disappear in the course of manufacture shall be stated; any overage shall be indicated;
    • (b) description of the various stages of manufacture with information on process operating conditions, in a narrative way accompanied by a process flow chart;
    • (c) in the case of continuous manufacture, full details of precautions taken to ensure the homogeneity of the finished product. Information as to how a batch is defined shall be provided (for example, expressed in terms of a period of time or a quantity of product, and may be expressed as ranges);
    • (d) a list of in-process controls including the stage of manufacture at which they are conducted and the acceptance criteria;
    • (e) experimental studies validating the manufacturing process and, where appropriate, a process validation scheme for production scale batches;
    • (f) for sterile products, where sterilisation conditions are used, which are not provided for in the European Pharmacopoeia or the British Pharmacopoeia, details of the sterilisation processes and/or aseptic procedures used, as applicable.

II. 2C. Production and control of starting material

  1. For the purposes of this point, “starting materials” shall mean active substances, excipients and packaging (immediate packaging with its closure system and, if applicable, outer packaging and any dosing device supplied with the veterinary medicinal product).

  2. The dossier shall include the specifications and information on the tests to be conducted for quality control of all batches of starting materials.

  3. The routine tests carried out on starting materials shall be carried out in the same manner as stated in the dossier.

  4. Where a certificate of suitability has been issued by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare for a starting material, active substance or excipient, that certificate constitutes the reference to the relevant monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia.

  5. Where a certificate of suitability is referred to, the manufacturer shall give an assurance in writing to the applicant that the manufacturing process has not been modified since the granting of the certificate of suitability by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare. In case the field “box of access” in the certificate is completed and signed, that requirement shall be deemed to be fulfilled without the need for additional assurance.

  6. Certificates of analysis shall be presented for the starting materials in order to demonstrate compliance with the defined specification.

II. 2C.1. Active substance(s)

  • (1.) The required data shall be submitted in one of the three ways as detailed in points (2) to (4).

  • (2.) The following details shall be submitted:

    • (a) information on the identity, structure and a list of physicochemical and other relevant properties of the active substance shall be provided, in particular physicochemical properties that potentially affect the safety and efficacy of the active substance. Where relevant, evidence of molecular structure shall include the schematic amino acid sequence and relative molecular mass
    • (b) information on the manufacturing process shall include a description of the active substance manufacturing process that represents the applicant’s commitment for the manufacture of the active substance. All materials needed in order to manufacture the active substance(s) shall be listed, identifying where each material is used in the process. Information on the quality and control of those materials shall be provided. Information demonstrating that materials meet standards which are appropriate for their intended use shall be provided
    • (c) information on quality control shall contain tests (including acceptance criteria) carried out at every critical step, information on the quality and control of intermediates and process validation and/or evaluation studies as appropriate. It shall also contain validation data for the analytical methods applied to the active substance, where appropriate
    • (d) information on impurities shall indicate predictable impurities together with the levels and nature of observed impurities. It shall also contain information on the safety of those impurities where relevant

  • (3.) Active Substance Master File

For a non-biological active substance, the applicant may arrange for the information on active substance in point (2) to be supplied directly to the Secretary of State by the manufacturer of the active substance as an Active Substance Master File. In this case, the manufacturer of the active substance shall provide the applicant with all the data (applicant’s part of the Active Substance Master File) which may be necessary for the latter to take responsibility for the veterinary medicinal product. A copy of the data provided by the active substance manufacturer to the applicant shall be included in the medicinal product dossier. The manufacturer of the active substance shall confirm in writing to the applicant that he shall ensure batch-to-batch consistency and not modify the manufacturing process or specifications without informing the applicant.

  • (4.) Certificate of suitability issued by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare

The certificate of suitability and any additional data relevant to the dosage form not covered by the certificate of suitability shall be provided.

II. 2C.1.1. Active substances listed in pharmacopoeias

  1. Active substances fulfilling the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia or, in the absence of a European Pharmacopoeia monograph, the British Pharmacopoeia shall be deemed to comply sufficiently with Schedule 1. In this case the description of the analytical methods and procedures shall be replaced in each relevant section by an appropriate reference to the pharmacopoeia in question.

  2. In cases where a specification contained in a monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia or in the British Pharmacopoeia is insufficient to ensure the quality of the substance, the Secretary of State may request more appropriate specifications from the applicant, including acceptance criteria for specific impurities with validated test procedures.

  3. The marketing authorisation holder shall provide the authorities of that pharmacopoeia with the details of the alleged insufficiency and the additional specifications applied.

II.2C.1.2.  Active substances not listed in a pharmacopoeia

  • (1.) Active substances which are not listed in any pharmacopoeia shall be described in the form of a monograph under the following headings:

    • (a) the name of the constituent, meeting the requirements of Part II.2A1, point (2) shall be supplemented by any trade or scientific synonyms
    • (b) the definition of the substance, set down in a form similar to that used in the European Pharmacopoeia or British Pharmacopoeia, shall be accompanied by any necessary explanatory evidence, in particular concerning the molecular structure. Where substances may only be described by their manufacturing method, the description shall be sufficiently detailed to characterise a substance which is constant both on its composition and in its effects
    • (c) methods of identification may be described in the form of complete techniques as used for production of the substance, and in the form of tests which ought to be carried out as a routine matter
    • (d) purity tests shall be described in relation to each individual predictable impurity, especially those which may have a harmful effect, and, if necessary, those which, having regard to the combination of substances to which the application refers, might adversely affect the stability of the medicinal product or distort analytical results
    • (e) tests and acceptance criteria to control parameters relevant to the finished product, such as sterility shall be described and methods shall be validated where relevant
    • (f) with regard to complex substances of plant or animal origin, a distinction shall be made between the case where multiple pharmacological effects render chemical, physical or biological control of the principal components necessary, and the case of substances containing one or more groups of principles having similar activity, in respect of which an overall method of assay may be accepted

  • (2.) Those data shall demonstrate that the proposed set of test procedures is sufficient to control the quality of the active substance from the defined source.

II. 2C.1.3. Physicochemical characteristics liable to affect bioavailability

The following data concerning active substances shall be provided as part of the general description of the active substances if the bioavailability of the veterinary medicinal product depends on them:

  • (a) crystalline form and solubility
  • (b) particle size
  • (c) state of hydration
  • (d) oil/water coefficient of partition
  • (e) pK/pH values

Points (a) to (c) are not applicable to substances used solely in solution.

II.2C.2. Excipients

  1. Excipients fulfilling the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia or, in the absence of a European Pharmacopoeia monograph, the British Pharmacopoeia shall be deemed to comply sufficiently with Schedule 1. In that case, the description of the analytical methods and procedures shall be replaced in each relevant section by an appropriate reference to the pharmacopoeia in question. Where appropriate, additional tests to control parameters such as particle size, sterility, and/or residual solvents, shall supplement the requirements of the monograph.

  2. In the absence of a pharmacopoeial monograph a specification shall be proposed and justified. The requirements for specifications as set out in Part II.2C1.2(1) points (a) to (e) for the active substance shall be followed. The proposed methods and their supporting validation data shall be presented.

  3. A declaration shall be submitted to confirm that colouring matters for inclusion in veterinary medicinal products satisfy the requirements of Directive 2009/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council  except where the application for a marketing authorisation concerns certain veterinary medicinal products for topical use, such as medicated collars and ear tags.

  4. A declaration shall be submitted to confirm that colouring matters used meet the purity criteria laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.

  5. For novel excipients, that is to say excipient(s) used for the first time in Great Britain in a veterinary medicinal product or by a new route of administration, details of manufacture, characterisation, and controls, with cross references to support both clinical and non-clinical safety data shall be provided. For colouring matters, the declarations of compliance in points (3) and (4) shall be considered sufficient.

II.2C.3. Packaging (containers and closure systems)

II.2C.3.1. Active substance

  1. Information on the container and its closure system for the active substance including the identity of each immediate packaging material and their specifications shall be given. The level of information required shall be determined by the physical state (liquid, solid) of the active substance.

  2. Where a certificate of suitability for the active substance from the proposed source is submitted and specifies a container and its closure system, the detailed information on these for the active substance from that source may be replaced by a reference to the valid certificate of suitability.

  3. Where an Active Substance Master File from the proposed source is submitted and specifies a container and its closure system, the detailed information on these for the active substance from that source may be replaced by a reference to the Active Substance Master File.

II. 2C.3.2. Finished product

  1. Information on the container and its closure system and any device for the finished product including the identity of each immediate packaging material and their specifications shall be given. The level of information required shall be determined by the route of administration of the veterinary medicinal product and the physical state (liquid, solid) of the dosage form.

  2. In the absence of a monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia or British Pharmacopoeia, a specification shall be proposed and justified for the packaging material.

  3. For packaging materials that are used for the first time in Great Britain and that are in contact with the product, information on their composition, manufacture and safety shall be presented.

II.2C.4. Substances of biological origin

  1. Information on the source, processing, characterisation and control of all materials of biological origin (human, animal, herbal or from microorganisms) used in the manufacture of the veterinary medicinal products shall be provided, including viral safety data, in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia.

  2. Documentation shall be supplied to demonstrate that materials originating from animal species relevant for the transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) comply with the Note for Guidance on minimising the risk of transmitting animal spongiform encephalopathy agents via human and veterinary medicinal products, as well as with the corresponding monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia. Certificates of Suitability issued by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare, with reference to the relevant monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia, may be used to demonstrate compliance.

II.2D. Control tests carried out on isolated intermediates during the manufacturing process

  1. For the purposes of this section, “isolated intermediate” shall mean partly processed material that may be stored for a defined amount of time and that shall undergo further processing step(s) before it becomes finished product.

  2. A specification shall be set for each intermediate and the analytical methods shall be described and validated, if applicable.

  3. Information on the primary packaging of the intermediate product shall be provided if different from that for the finished product.

  4. A shelf life and storage conditions for the intermediate product shall be defined on the basis of the data resulting from stability studies.

II.2E. Control tests on the finished product

  1. For the control of the finished product, a batch of a finished product comprises all the units of a pharmaceutical form which are made from the same initial quantity of material and have undergone the same series of manufacturing and/or sterilisation operations. In case of continuous manufacture, the batch size may be expressed in terms of a period of time or a quantity of product, and may be expressed as ranges.

  2. The tests, which are carried out on the finished product shall be listed. A justification for the proposed specification shall be provided. The frequency of the tests which are not carried out routinely shall be stated and justified. Acceptance criteria for release shall be indicated.

  3. The dossier shall include particulars relating to control tests on the finished product at release and their validation. They shall be submitted in accordance with the following requirements.

  4. If test procedures and acceptance criteria other than those mentioned in the relevant monographs and general chapters of the European Pharmacopoeia, or failing this, in the British Pharmacopoeia are used, those procedures and criteria shall be justified by providing proof that the finished product would, if tested in accordance with those monographs, meet the quality requirements of that pharmacopoeia for the pharmaceutical form concerned.

II. 2E.1. General characteristics of the finished product

  1. Certain tests of the general characteristics of a product shall always be included among the tests on the finished product. Those tests shall, wherever applicable, relate to the control of average masses/volumes and maximum deviations, to mechanical, physical tests, visual appearance, physical characteristics such as, pH or particle size. For each of those characteristics, standards and acceptance criteria shall be specified by the applicant.

  2. The conditions of the tests, where appropriate, the equipment/apparatus employed and the standards shall be described in sufficient detail whenever they are not given in the European Pharmacopoeia or the British pharmacopoeia; the same shall apply in cases where the methods prescribed by such pharmacopoeias are not applicable.

II. 2E.2. Identification and assay of active substance(s)

  1. Identification and assay of the active substance(s) shall be carried out either in a representative sample from the production batch or in a number of dosage units analysed individually.

  2. Unless there is appropriate justification, the maximum acceptable deviation in the active substance content of the finished product shall not exceed ± 5 % at the time of manufacture.

  3. In certain cases of particularly complex mixtures, where assay of active substances which are very numerous or present in very low amounts would necessitate an intricate investigation difficult to carry out in respect of each production batch, the assay of one or more active substances in the finished product may be omitted, on the express condition that such assays are made at intermediate stages in the production process. That simplified technique may not be extended to the characterisation of the substances concerned. It shall be supplemented by a method of quantitative evaluation, enabling the competent authority to have the conformity of the medicinal product with its specification verified after it has been placed on the market.

  4. An in vivo or in vitro biological assay shall be obligatory when physicochemical methods cannot provide adequate information on the quality of the product. Such an assay shall, whenever possible, include reference materials and statistical analysis allowing calculation of confidence limits. Where those tests cannot be carried out on the finished product, they may be performed at an intermediate stage, as late as possible in the manufacturing process.

  5. The maximum acceptable levels of individual and total degradation products immediately following manufacture shall be indicated. The rationale for the inclusion or exclusion of degradation products in the specification shall be presented.

II. 2E.3. Identification and assay of excipient components

An identification test and an upper and lower limit test shall be obligatory for each individual antimicrobial preservative and for any excipient that is liable to affect the bioavailability of the active substance, unless the bioavailability is guaranteed by other appropriate tests. An identification test and an upper limit test shall be obligatory for any antioxidant and for any excipient liable to adversely affect physiological functions, with a lower limit test also included for antioxidants at time of release.

II.2E.4. Microbiological controls

Particulars of microbiological tests, such as sterility and bacterial endotoxins, shall be included in the analytical particulars wherever such tests shall be undertaken as a matter of routine in order to verify the quality of the product.

II.2E.5. Batch-to-batch consistency

In order to ensure the quality of the product is consistent from batch to batch and to demonstrate conformity with the specification, batch data shall be provided giving the results for all tests performed in general on three batches manufactured at the proposed manufacturing site(s) according to the described production process.

II.2E.6. Other controls

Any other test considered necessary to confirm the quality of the medicinal product shall be controlled.

II.2F. Stability test

II.2F.1. Active substance(s)

  1. A retest period and storage conditions for the active substance shall be specified except when the manufacturer of the finished product fully retests the active substance immediately before its use in the manufacture of the finished product.

  2. Stability data shall be presented to provide evidence on how the quality of an active substance varies with time under the influence of a variety of environmental factors and to support the defined retest period and storage conditions, if applicable. The type of stability studies conducted, protocols used, the analytical procedures used and their validation together with the detailed results shall be presented.

  3. Where a certificate of suitability for the active substance from the proposed source is available and specifies a retest period and storage conditions, stability data for the active substance from that source may be replaced by a reference to the valid certificate of suitability.

  4. Where an Active Substance Master File from the proposed source is submitted and specifies stability data, the detailed information on the stability for the active substance from that source may be replaced by a reference to the Active Substance Master File.

II.2F.2. Finished product

  1. A description shall be given of the investigations by which the shelf life, the recommended storage conditions and the specifications at the end of the shelf life proposed by the applicant have been determined.

  2. The type of stability studies conducted, protocols used, the analytical procedures used and their validation together with the detailed results shall be presented.

  3. Where a finished product requires reconstitution or dilution prior to administration, details of the proposed shelf life and specification for the reconstituted/diluted product are required, supported by relevant stability data.

  4. In the case of multi-dose containers, where relevant, stability data shall be presented to justify a shelf life for the product after it has been broached or opened for the first time and an in-use specification shall be defined.

  5. Where a finished product is liable to give rise to degradation products, the applicant shall declare those products and indicate the identification methods and test procedures used.

  6. Where the stability data show that the assay of the active substance declines on storage, the description of the control tests on the finished product shall include, where appropriate, the chemical and, if necessary, the toxico-pharmacological investigation of the changes that this substance has undergone, and possibly the characterisation and/or assay of the degradation products.

  7. The maximum acceptable level of individual and total degradation products at the end of shelf life shall be indicated and justified.

  8. On the basis of the stability test results, the tests and their acceptance criteria, that are carried out on the finished product over the course of the shelf life shall be listed and justified.

  9. The conclusions shall contain the results of analyses, justifying the proposed shelf life and if appropriate, the in-use shelf life, under the recommended storage conditions.

  10. Additionally, for veterinary medicinal products intended for incorporation into feed, information shall be provided on the stability and the proposed shelf life after incorporation into feed. A specification for the medicated feed manufactured using those veterinary medicinal products in accordance with the recommended instructions for use shall also be provided.

II.2G. Other information

Information relating to the quality of the veterinary medicinal product not covered elsewhere in this Part may be included in the dossier under this point.

Part 3: Safety documentation (safety and residues tests)

  • (1) Each study report shall include:

    • (a) a copy of the study plan (protocol)
    • (b) a statement of compliance with good laboratory practice, where applicable
    • (c) a description of the methods, apparatus and materials used
    • (d) a description and justification of the test system
    • (e) a description of the results obtained, in sufficient detail, to allow the results to be critically evaluated independently of their interpretation by the author
    • (f) a statistical analysis of the results where appropriate
    • (g) a discussion of the results, with comment on observed and no-observed-effect levels, and on any unusual findings
    • (h) the name of the laboratory
    • (i) the name of the study director
    • (j) signature and date
    • (k) place and period of time during which the study was undertaken
    • (l) key for abbreviations and codes, irrespective of whether they are internationally accepted or not
    • (m) description of mathematical and statistical procedures

  • (2.) Published studies may be accepted if they contain a sufficient amount of data and sufficient details to allow an independent assessment. The experimental techniques shall be described in such detail as to allow them to be reproduced, and the investigator shall establish their validity. Summaries of studies for which detailed reports are not available shall not be accepted as valid documentation. When the substance has been previously evaluated for the establishment of maximum residues limit (“MRL”) to address certain safety requirements reference may be made to the European public MRL assessment reports (“EPMARs”). Where reference to EPMAR is made there is no need to submit studies already evaluated as part of the MRL evaluation; only new studies not available for the MRL assessment shall be provided. If the route of exposure (for example, for the user) is not identical to the route used in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/782, new studies might be necessary.

II.3A. Safety tests

  • (1.) The safety documentation shall be adequate for assessment of:

  • (a) the potential toxicity of the veterinary medicinal product and any dangerous or undesirable effects in target species which may occur under the proposed conditions of use
  • (b) the potential risks which may result from the exposure of human beings to the veterinary medicinal product, for example, during its administration to the animal

  • (c) the potential risks to the environment resulting from the use of the veterinary medicinal product

  • (2.) In some cases it may be necessary to test the metabolites of the parent compound where these represent the residues of concern.

  • (3.) An excipient used for the first time in a veterinary medicinal product or by a new route of administration shall be treated in the same way as an active substance.

II 3A.1. Precise identification of the product and of its active substance(s):

  • (a) International Non-proprietary Name (INN)
  • (b) International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Name (IUPAC)
  • (c) Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number
  • (d) therapeutic, pharmacological and chemical classification
  • (e) synonyms and abbreviations
  • (f) structural formula
  • (g) molecular formula
  • (h) molecular weight
  • (i) degree of purity
  • (j) qualitative and quantitative composition of impurities
  • (k) description of physical properties
    • (i) appearance
    • (ii) melting point
    • (iii) boiling point
    • (iv) vapour pressure
    • (v) pH level
    • (vi) solubility in water and organic solvents expressed in g/l, with indication of temperature
    • (vii) octanol/water partition coefficient (Pow)
    • (viii) density
    • (ix) particle size distribution
    • (x) formulation of the product

II.3A.2. Pharmacology

  1. Pharmacological studies are of fundamental importance in clarifying the mechanisms by which the veterinary medicinal product produces its therapeutic effects, and therefore pharmacological studies conducted in experimental and target species of animal shall be included. Cross reference may be made, if applicable, to studies submitted in Part 4 of the dossier.

  2. Where a veterinary medicinal product produces pharmacological effects in the absence of a toxic response, or at doses lower than those required to elicit toxicity, those pharmacological effects shall be taken into account during the evaluation of the safety for the user of the veterinary medicinal product.

  3. The safety documentation shall always be preceded by details of pharmacological investigations undertaken in laboratory animals and all relevant information observed during clinical studies in the target animal.

II.3A.2.1. Pharmacodynamics

Information on the mechanism of action of the active substance(s) shall be provided, together with information on primary and secondary pharmacodynamic effects in order to assist in the understanding of any adverse effects in the animal studies. Detailed reporting of pharmacodynamic properties relating to the therapeutic effect shall be reported in Part 4A of the dossier.

II.3A.2.2. Pharmacokinetics

Data on the fate of the active substance and its metabolites in laboratory animals shall be provided, covering absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME). The data shall be related to the dose/effect findings in the pharmacological and toxicological studies, to determine adequate exposure.

II.3A.3. Toxicology

  • (1.) The documentation on toxicology shall follow VICH GL33 on the general approach to testing and guidance on particular studies. Generally, toxicity studies shall be conducted with the active substance(s), not with the formulated product, unless specifically required otherwise.

  • (2.) Animal studies shall be conducted in established strains of laboratory animals for which (preferably) historical data are available.

  • (3.) Single-dose toxicity

Single-dose toxicity studies may be used to predict:

  • (a) the possible effects of acute overdose in the target species
  • (b) the possible effects of accidental administration to humans
  • (c) the doses which may usefully be employed in the repeat dose studies

Single-dose toxicity studies shall reveal the acute toxic effects of the substance and the time course for their onset and remission.

The studies to be carried out shall be selected with a view to providing information on user safety, for example, if substantial exposure by inhalation or dermal contact of the user of the veterinary medicinal product is anticipated, those routes of exposure shall be studied.

  • (4.) Repeat-dose toxicity

Repeat-dose toxicity tests are intended to reveal any physiological and/or pathological changes induced by repeated administration of the active substance or combination of active substances under examination, and to determine how those changes are related to dosage.

A repeat-dose toxicity study in one species of experimental animal shall normally be sufficient. This study may be replaced by a study conducted in the target animal. The frequency and route of administration, and the duration of the study shall be chosen having regard to the proposed conditions of clinical use and/or user exposure. The applicant shall give his reasons for the extent and duration of the studies and the dosages chosen.

  • (5.) Tolerance in the target species

A summary shall be provided of any signs of intolerance which have been observed during studies conducted, usually with the final formulation, in the target species in accordance with the requirements of Part II.4A4 (Tolerance in the target animal species). The studies concerned, the dosages at which the intolerance occurred, and the species and breeds concerned shall be identified. Details of any unexpected physiological changes shall also be provided. The full reports of those studies shall be included in Part 4 of the dossier.

  • (6.) Reproductive toxicity including developmental toxicity Study of the effects on reproduction

For products intended for use in breeding animals, reproductive safety studies in line with VICH GL43 shall be provided. Reproduction toxicity studies in laboratory animals are not expected for the evaluation of effects on the user.

  • (7.) Study of developmental toxicity

For the evaluation of effects in the target animal species, developmental toxicity studies are not required for products intended only for use in non-breeding animals. For other products a study of developmental toxicity shall be performed in at least one species, which may be the target species. If the study is conducted in the target species, a summary shall be provided here, and the full report of the study shall be included in Part 4 of the dossier.

For the evaluation of user safety, standard developmental toxicity testing in accordance with standard tests based on established guidance (including VICH GL32 and OECD tests) shall be performed in all cases where significant user exposure may be expected or if the pharmacology of the substance suggests a mode of action that would affect normal development.

  • (8.) Genotoxicity

Tests for genotoxic potential shall be performed to reveal changes which a substance may cause in the genetic material of cells. Any substance intended to be included in a veterinary medicinal product for the first time shall be assessed for genotoxic properties.

A standard battery of genotoxicity tests in accordance with standard tests based on established guidance (including VICH GL23 and OECD tests) shall be carried out on the active substance(s).

  • (9.) Carcinogenicity

The decision on whether carcinogenicity testing is required shall take into account the results of genotoxicity tests, structure-activity relationships and the findings in repeat dose toxicity tests that may demonstrate the potential for hyper-/neo-plastic changes.

Any known species specificity of the mechanism of toxicity shall be considered, as well as any differences in metabolism between the test species, target animal species, and human beings.

Carcinogenicity testing shall be conducted according to standard tests based on established guidance (including VICH GL28 and OECD tests).

  • (10.) Exceptions

Where a veterinary medicinal product is intended for topical use, systemic absorption shall be investigated in the target animal species. If it is proved that systemic absorption is negligible, the repeated dose toxicity tests, the tests for reproductive and developmental toxicity and the carcinogenicity tests may be omitted, unless:

  • (a) under the intended conditions of use, oral ingestion of the veterinary medicinal product by the animal is to be expected, or
  • (b) under the intended conditions of use, oral exposure of the user of the veterinary medicinal product is to be expected

II.3A.4. Other requirements

II.3A.4.1. Special studies

For particular groups of substances or if the effects observed during repeated dose studies in animals include changes indicative of, for example, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity or endocrine dysfunction, further testing shall be required, for example, sensitisation studies or delayed neurotoxicity tests. Depending on the nature of the product, it may be necessary to conduct additional studies to assess the underlying mechanism of the toxic effect or the irritation potential.

For products for which there may be exposure to skin and eyes, irritation and sensitisation studies shall be provided. Those studies shall be conducted with the final formulation.

The state of latest scientific knowledge and established guidance shall be taken into account when designing such studies and evaluating their results.

II.3A.4.2. Observations in humans

Information shall be provided showing whether the pharmacologically active substances of the veterinary medicinal product are used as medicinal products in human therapy. If that is the case, a compilation shall be made of all the effects observed (including adverse reactions) in humans and of their cause, to the extent that they may be important for the assessment of the safety of the veterinary medicinal product, where appropriate including results from published studies; where constituents of the veterinary medicinal products are themselves not used or are no longer used as medicinal products in human therapy, the reasons shall be stated, if publicly available.

The data requirements described in this point are related to antibacterial substances and may not be fully applicable to other types of antimicrobial (namely antivirals, antifungals and antiprotozoals) although, in principle, the requirements may be followed, where applicable.

Data on the potential emergence of resistant bacteria or resistance determinants of relevance for human health and which are associated with the use of veterinary medicinal products are necessary for those products. The mechanism of the development and selection of such resistance is particularly important in this regard. Where necessary, measures to limit resistance development from the intended use of the veterinary medicinal product shall be proposed by the applicant.

Resistance data relevant for clinical use of the product in target animals shall be addressed in accordance with Part II.4A2. Where relevant, cross reference shall be made to the data set out in Part II.4A2.

  • (1) For food-producing animals the risk assessment shall address:

    • (a) the identification of resistant bacteria or resistance determinants that could be associated with human illness (zoonotic and/or commensal bacteria) and are selected by the use of the antimicrobial veterinary medicinal product in target animals (hazard identification)
    • (b) the probability of release of the identified hazard(s) from the target animal species as a result of the use of the veterinary medicinal product under consideration
    • (c) the probability of subsequent human exposure to the identified hazard(s) via the foodborne route or through direct contact, and the resulting consequences (adverse health effects) to human health. Guidance is available in VICH GL27 and EU GLs.

  • (2) For companion animals consideration of risk to human or public health shall address:

    • (a) the identification of resistant bacteria or resistance determinants that could be associated with human illness and are selected by the use of the antimicrobial veterinary medicinal product in target animals
    • (b) an estimate of exposure of zoonotic and commensal bacteria in the target animal species based on the conditions of use of the veterinary medicinal product under consideration
    • (c) consideration of subsequent human exposure to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the resulting consequences to human health.

  • (3) Resistance in the environment shall be addressed.

II.3A.5. User safety

This section shall include an assessment of the effects found in Part II.3A to II.3A4 and relate this to the type and extent of human exposure to the product with a view to formulating appropriate user warnings and other risk management measures.

User safety shall be addressed in accordance with Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) guidelines.

II.3A.6. Environmental risk assessment

  • (1.) An environmental risk assessment shall be performed to assess the potential harmful effects that the use of the veterinary medicinal product may cause to the environment and to identify the risk of such effects. The assessment shall also identify any precautionary measures which may be necessary to reduce such risk.

  • (2.) This assessment consists of two phases. The first phase of the assessment shall always be performed. The details of the assessment shall be provided in accordance with VICH GL6. It shall indicate the potential exposure of the environment to the product and the level of risk associated with any such exposure, in particular taking into account the following items:

    • (a) the target animal species, and the proposed pattern of use
    • (b) the method of administration, in particular the likely extent to which the product will enter directly into environmental systems
    • (c) the possible excretion of the product, its active substances or relevant metabolites into the environment by treated animals; persistence in such excreta
    • (d) the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or other waste product

  • (3.) In the second phase, further specific investigation of the fate and effects of the product on particular ecosystems shall be conducted, in accordance with VICH GL38. The extent of exposure of the product to the environment, and the available information about the physical/chemical, pharmacological and/or toxicological properties of the substance(s) concerned, including metabolites in case of an identified risk, which has been obtained during the conduct of the other tests and trials required by this Regulation, shall be taken into consideration.

  • (4.) For products intended for food producing species, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances shall be classified according to the criteria in Annex XIII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (REACH Regulation) and assessed according to the guidance for PBT and vPvB assessment of substances in veterinary medicines.

II.3B. Residue tests

  • (1) For the purposes of this point, the definitions of Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 shall apply.

  • (2) The purpose of studying the depletion of residues from the edible tissues or from eggs, milk and honey (wax, if appropriate) derived from treated animals is to determine under what conditions and to what extent residues may persist in foodstuffs produced from those animals. In addition, the studies shall enable the determination of a withdrawal period.

  • (3.) In the case of veterinary medicinal products intended for use in food-producing animals, the residue documentation shall show:

    • (a) to what extent, and for how long residues of the veterinary medicinal product or its metabolites persist in the edible tissues of the treated animal or in milk, eggs and/or honey (wax, if appropriate) obtained therefrom
    • (b) that in order to prevent any risk to the health of the consumer of foodstuffs from treated animals, it is possible to establish realistic withdrawal periods which may be observed under practical farming conditions
    • (c) that the analytical method(s) used in the residues depletion study are sufficiently validated to provide the necessary reassurance that the residues data submitted are suitable as the basis for a withdrawal period

II.3B.1. Identification of the product

An identification of the veterinary medicinal product(s) used in the testing shall be provided, including:

  • (a) composition
  • (b) the physical and chemical (potency and purity) test results for the relevant batch(es)
  • (c) batch identification

II.3B.2. Depletion of residues (metabolism and residue kinetics)

  1. The purpose of these studies, which measure the rate at which residues deplete in the target animal after the last administration of the veterinary medicinal product, is to permit the determination of withdrawal periods necessary to ensure that no residues which may constitute a hazard for consumers are present in foodstuffs obtained from treated animals.

  2. The current status of the MRL for the components of the veterinary medicinal product in the relevant target species shall be reported.

  3. The levels of residues present shall be determined at a sufficient number of time points after the test animals have received the final dose of the veterinary medicinal product. The studies in mammals and birds shall be performed according to VICH GL48 and other relevant guidelines. Residue studies in honey shall be performed according to VICH GL56 and depletion studies in aquatic species according to VICH GL57.

  4. Based on the evaluation, the rationale for the proposed withdrawal period shall be addressed.

II.3B.3. Residue analytical method

The residue depletion study (studies), the analytical method(s) and its (their) validation shall be performed in accordance with VICH GL49.

The analytical method shall have regard to the state of scientific and technical knowledge at the time the application is submitted.

Part 4: Efficacy documentation (pre-clinical studies and clinical trial(s))

II.4A. Pre-clinical studies

Pre-clinical studies aim to investigate the target animal safety and efficacy of the product and are required to establish the pharmacological activity, pharmacokinetic properties, dose and dosing interval, resistance (if applicable) and the target animal tolerance of the product.

II.4A.1. Pharmacology

II.4A.1.1. Pharmacodynamics

  1. The pharmacodynamic effects of the active substance(s) included in the veterinary medicinal product shall be characterised.

  2. The mode of action and the pharmacological effects on which the recommended application is based in practice shall be adequately described, including secondary effects (if any). In general, the effects on the main body functions shall be investigated. The results shall be expressed in quantitative terms (for example, using dose-effect curves and/or time-effect curves) and, wherever possible, in comparison with a substance the activity of which is well known (where the activity is claimed to be higher in comparison to the substance the activity of which is well known, the difference shall be demonstrated and shown to be statistically significant).

  3. Any effect of the other characteristics of the products (such as the route of administration or formulation) on the pharmacological activity of the active substance shall be investigated.

  4. The experimental techniques, unless they are standard procedures, shall be described in such detail as to allow them to be reproduced, and their validity to be established. The experimental results shall be set out clearly and the outcome of any statistical comparisons presented.

  5. Unless good reasons are given to the contrary, any quantitative modification of responses resulting from repeated administration of the substance shall also be investigated.

II.4A.1.2. Pharmacokinetics

  • (1.) Basic pharmacokinetic data on the active substance are required in the context of assessment of the target animal safety and efficacy of the veterinary medicinal product in the target species, in particular if this concerns a new substance or formulation.

  • (2) The objectives of pharmacokinetic studies in the target animal species may be divided into four main areas:

    • (a) to describe the basic pharmacokinetic characteristics (namely absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) of the active substance in the formulation
    • (b) use of this basic pharmacokinetic characteristics to investigate the relationships between dosage regimen, plasma and tissue concentration over time and pharmacological, therapeutic or toxic effects
    • (c) where appropriate, to compare pharmacokinetic parameters between different target species and to explore possible species differences having an impact on target animal safety and efficacy of the veterinary medicinal product
    • (d) where appropriate, to compare bioavailability to support bridging of safety and efficacy information between different products, pharmaceutical forms, strengths or routes of administration, or to compare the impact of changes in manufacturing or composition.

  • (3.) In the target animal species, pharmacokinetic studies are, as a rule, necessary as a complement to the pharmacodynamic studies to support the establishment of safe and effective dosage regimens (route and site of administration, dose, dosing interval, number of administrations, etc.). Additional pharmacokinetic studies may be required to establish dosage regimens according to certain population variables.

  • (4.) Where pharmacokinetic studies have been submitted under Part 3 of the dossier, cross reference to such studies may be made. For fixed combinations, please refer to Section IV.

  1. For relevant veterinary medicinal products (for example, antimicrobials, antiparasitics), information on current resistance (if applicable) and on the potential emergence of resistance of clinical relevance for the claimed indication in the target animal species shall be provided. Where possible, information on the resistance mechanism(s), the molecular genetic basis of resistance, and the rate of transfer of resistance determinants shall be presented. Whenever relevant, information on co-resistance and cross-resistance shall be presented. Measures to limit resistance development in organisms of clinical relevance for the intended use of the veterinary medicinal product shall be proposed by the applicant.

  2. Resistance relevant for risks to humans shall be addressed in accordance with Part II.3A.4, point (3). Where relevant, cross-reference shall be made to data set out in Part II.3A.4, point (3).

II.4A.3. Dose determination and confirmation

Appropriate data shall be provided to justify the proposed dose, dosing interval, duration of treatment and any re-treatment interval.

For studies conducted under field conditions, relevant information shall be provided as outlined in Part II.4B, unless duly justified.

II.4A.4. Tolerance in the target animal species

The local and systemic tolerance of the veterinary medicinal product shall be investigated in the target animal species. The purpose of target animal safety studies is to characterise signs of intolerance and to establish an adequate margin of safety using the recommended route(s) of administration. This may be achieved by increasing the dose and/or the duration of treatment. The study report(s) shall contain details of all expected pharmacological effects and all adverse reactions. The conduct of target animal safety studies shall be in accordance with the international guidelines of the International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (“VICH”). Other pre-clinical studies, including studies provided in part 3, and clinical trials, along with relevant information from the published literature, may also provide information on safety in the target species. Studies on developmental toxicity performed in the target animal species shall be included here, and a summary shall be provided in Part 3 of the dossier.

II.4B. Clinical trial(s)

II.4B.1. General principles

  1. Clinical trials shall be designed, carried out and reported taking due account of the international guidelines on good clinical practice of the VICH(VICH GL9). Data stemming from clinical trials conducted outside of the Unted Kingdom may be taken into consideration for the assessment of an application for a marketing authorisation only if the data are sufficiently representative for the situation in Great Britain.

  2. Experimental data such as exploratory/pilot trials, or results from non-experimental approaches shall be confirmed by clinical trials, unless otherwise justified.

  3. The purpose of clinical trials is to examine under field conditions the target animal safety and efficacy of a veterinary medicinal product under normal conditions of animal husbandry and/or as part of good veterinary practice. They shall demonstrate the effect of the veterinary medicinal product after administration to the intended target species using the proposed dosage regimen and the proposed route(s) of administration. The trial design shall aim to support the indications and to take into account any contra-indications according to species, age, breed and sex, directions for use of the veterinary medicinal product as well as any adverse reactions which it may have.

  4. All veterinary clinical trials shall be conducted in accordance with a detailed trial protocol.

  5. For formulations intended for use in veterinary clinical trials in Great Britain, the words “for veterinary clinical trial use only” shall appear prominently and indelibly on the labelling.

  6. Unless otherwise justified, clinical trials shall be carried out with control animals (controlled clinical trials). The efficacy results obtained with the new product shall be compared with those from the target animal species that have received a veterinary medicinal product authorised in Great Britain  that has demonstrated an acceptable level of efficacy and been approved for the proposed indication(s) for use in the same target animal species, or a placebo or no treatment. All the results obtained, whether positive or negative, shall be reported.

  7. Established statistical principles in accordance with VICH GL9 shall be used in protocol design, analysis and evaluation of clinical trials, unless otherwise justified.

II.4B.2. Documentation

II.4B.2.1. Results of pre-clinical studies

Wherever possible, particulars shall be given of the results of:

  • (a) tests demonstrating pharmacological activity, including tests demonstrating the pharmacodynamic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect and tests demonstrating the main pharmacokinetic profile
  • (b) tests and investigations on resistance, if applicable
  • (c) tests demonstrating target animal safety
  • (d) tests to determine and confirm the dose (including dose interval, duration of treatment and any re-treatment interval).

Where unexpected results occur during the course of the tests, those results shall be described in detail. Omission of any of those data shall be justified. The following particulars shall be provided in all pre-clinical study reports:

  • (a) a summary
  • (b) a study protocol
  • (c) a detailed description of the objectives, design and conduct to include methods, apparatus and materials used, details such as species, age, weight, sex, number, breed or strain of animals, identification of animals, dose, route and schedule of administration
  • (d) a statistical analysis of the results, if applicable
  • (e) an objective discussion of the results obtained, leading to conclusions on the efficacy and target animal safety of the veterinary medicinal product

II.4B.2.2. Results of clinical trials

All the particulars shall be supplied by each of the investigators on individual record sheets in the case of individual treatment and collective record sheets in the case of collective treatment.

The marketing authorisation holder shall make all necessary arrangements to ensure that the original documents, which formed the basis of the data supplied, are kept for at least five years after the veterinary medicinal product is no longer authorised.

In respect of each clinical trial, the clinical observations shall be summarised in a synopsis of the trials and the results thereof, indicating in particular:

  • (a) the number of control and test animals treated either individually or collectively, with a breakdown according to species, breed or strain, age and sex
  • (b) the number of animals withdrawn prematurely from the trials and the reasons for such withdrawal

  • (c) in the case of control animals, whether they have:

  • (i) received no treatment
  • (ii) received a placebo, or
  • (iii) received another veterinary medicinal product authorised in Great Britain that has demonstrated an acceptable level of efficacy and been approved for the proposed indication(s) for use in the same target animal species, or
  • (iv) received the same active substance under investigation in a different formulation or by a different route
  • (d) the frequency of observed adverse reactions
  • (e) observations as to the effect on animal performance, if appropriate
  • (f) details concerning test animals which may be at increased risk owing to their age, their mode of rearing or feeding, or the purpose for which they are intended, or animals the physiological or pathological condition of which requires special consideration
  • (g) a statistical evaluation of the results

The main investigator shall draw general conclusions on the efficacy and target animal safety of the veterinary medicinal product under the proposed conditions of use and in particular any information relating to indications and contraindications, dosage and average duration of treatment and, where appropriate, any interactions observed with other veterinary medicinal products or feed additives as well as any special precautions to be taken during treatment and the clinical signs of overdose, when observed.