Certificate of Analysis
A CoA is a document issued by a companies’ QA/QC-department that confirms that a product meets its product specification and is part of the quality control of a product batch. The CoA commonly contains results obtained from laboratory tests of an individual batch of a product. There are different international standards to which a product can be tested, for example: Ph. Eur. | EP – (European Pharmacopoeia) USP – (United States Pharmacopeia)
Food & Drug Administration approved
The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments. FDA is important because it is intended to have companies produce their goods to certain standards and it presents this fact in a clear overview using FDA certificates. When a company is (US) FDA approved, it shows the American government has declared the API or medicine as safe and it can be sold, imported, or used in the United States. The USA is not the only country with a regulatory agency like FDA. Most other countries have agencies that are responsible for the national safety of pharmaceutical products. Some different kinds of organizations include:
EMA (European Medicines Agency, European Union)
MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, United Kingdom)
PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Japan)
CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, India)
Good Manufacturing Practices
Active pharmaceutical ingredients are made in GMP-certified manufacturing facilities. GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices and is the main standard in the pharmaceutical industry. cGMP or Current GMP means that the company complies with the most recent requirements/version of GMP. The WHO has its own guideline for GMP, the World Health Organization or WHO GMP. The authority that has audited the company can also be from a country like China (Chinese GMP) or from the EU (EU GMP), every authority has different GMP requirements.
Certificate of Suitability
CEP (also known as COS) is a certificate that proves that qualifies to the relevant monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia. It links the monograph in the Ph.Eur. to the API itself. A CEP is submitted by the manufacturer as part of the market authorization process, and they will become the CEP holder of the document. Being a European certificate, the CEP is granted by the EDQM but is recognized by other countries or institutes such as the FDA in the US. Furthermore, just like the DMF, the data as submitted in the CEP is handled strictly confidential and provides a centralized system recognized by many countries.
HALAL Certificate in Pharmaceuticals: Ensuring Compliance with Islamic Standards
A HALAL certificate in the pharmaceutical industry guarantees that products are manufactured, processed, and handled according to Islamic dietary laws. This certification ensures that pharmaceutical products, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and finished formulations, meet stringent HALAL criteria, which prohibits the use of haram (forbidden) substances and ensures hygiene and ethical sourcing practices.
By obtaining a HALAL certificate, pharmaceutical companies can access a broader market, including consumers who require HALAL-compliant medications and health supplements. It also demonstrates a commitment to quality and safety, aligning with global standards and fostering trust among Muslim consumers worldwide.
Kosher Certificate in Pharmaceuticals
A Kosher certificate in the pharmaceutical industry ensures that products are manufactured, processed, and handled according to Jewish dietary laws. This certification guarantees that pharmaceutical products, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and finished formulations, adhere to Kosher standards, avoiding the use of non-Kosher substances and ensuring meticulous hygienic practices.
By obtaining a Kosher certificate, pharmaceutical companies can access a broader market, including consumers who require Kosher-compliant medications and health supplements. It demonstrates a commitment to quality and safety, aligning with global standards and fostering trust among Jewish consumers worldwide.
US Drug Master File (USDMF)
A US Drug Master File (USDMF) is a confidential document submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that provides detailed information about the manufacturing process of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) or a finished pharmaceutical product. This document includes comprehensive details such as chemical properties, manufacturing facilities, production processes, packaging specifications, storage conditions, and more.
The USDMF ensures that proprietary information remains protected while allowing the FDA to review the data as part of drug approval processes. Unlike other types of DMFs used in different regions, the USDMF is specifically designed to meet the regulatory requirements set by the FDA, ensuring compliance with U.S. standards.
Written Confirmation
When an API is imported into the European Union from elsewhere in the world, it should be accompanied by a “written confirmation” (WC). A written confirmation is a document set up by the health authorities of the country where the API was manufactured. After inspections were successfully performed under EU/GMP equivalent standards, the health authorities can provide a WC. These inspections will also have to regularly take place in the future.
Let the supplier know whether you are looking for a product with a specific
monograph such as EP (Ph. Eur.), USP, JP, BP or another quality.
Or, whether you are looking for hydrochloride (HCl), anhydricum, base, micronisatum or a specific
purity.