PDA Technical Glossary
PDA Technical Reports are highly valued membership benefits because they offer expert guidance and opinions on important scientific and regulatory topics and are used as essential references by industry and regulatory authorities around the world. These reports include terms which explain the material and enhance the reader’s understanding.
The database presented here includes the glossary terms from all current technical reports. The database is searchable by keyword, topic, or by technical report. Each definition provided includes a link to the source technical report within the PDA Technical Report Portal.
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- TR 80: Data Integrity Management System for Pharmaceutical Laboratories (7)
- TR 45: Depth Filtration (6)
- TR 60: Process Validation (5)
- TR 70: Cleaning/Disinfection Programs (5)
- TR 51: Biological Indicators (4)
- TR 57: Analytical Method Validation (4)
- TR 26: Sterilizing Filtration of Liquids (4)
- TR 84: Integrating Data Integrity Requirements into Manufacturing & Packaging Operations (4)
- TR 48: Moist Heat Sterilizer Systems (3)
- TR 1: Validation: Moist Heat (3)
- TR 3: Validation: Dry Heat (3)
- TR 14: Validation: Protein Purification Chromatography (3)
- TR 88: Microbial Data Deviation Investigations in the Pharmaceutical Industry (3)
- TR 54-2: QRM: Packaging Labeling (2)
- TR 56: Phase Appropriate cGMP Application (2)
- TR 57-2: Analytical Method Development (2)
- TR 58: Temp Controlled Distribution (2)
- TR 61: Steam in Place (2)
- TR 67: Objectionable Microorganisms (2)
- TR 68: Drug Shortage Management (2)
- TR 69: Bioburden/Biofilm Management (2)
- TR 74: Reprocessing of Biopharmaceuticals (2)
- TR 13: Environmental Monitoring (2)
- TR 15: Validation: TFF in Biopharmaceuticals (2)
- TR 29: Validation: Cleaning (2)
- TR 76: Identification and Classification of Visible Nonconformities in Elastomeric Components and Aluminum Seals for Parenteral Packaging (2)
- TR 41: Virus Filtration (2)
- TR 42: Validation: Protein Manufacturing (2)
- TR 43: Glass Defects (2)
- TR 47: Virus Spikes/Virus Clearance (1)
- TR 49: Validation: Cleaning Biotech (1)
- TR 53: Stability Testing New Drug Products (1)
- TR 54: QRM:Manufacturing Operations (1)
- TR 54-3: QRM: Drug Products (1)
- TR 54-4: QRM: Biotech Drug Substance (1)
- TR 38: Manufacturing Chromatography Systems Postapproval Changes (ChromPAC) (1)
- TR 86: Industry Challenges and Current Technologies for Pharmaceutical Package Integrity Testing (1)
- TR 79: Particulate Matter Control in Difficult to Inspect Parenterals (1)
- TR 30: Parametric Release (1)
- TR 54-5: Quality Risk Management for the Design, Qualification, and Operation of Manufacturing Systems (1)
- TR 44: QRM: Aseptic Processes (1)
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D-Value
The time in minutes required for a one-logarithm, or 90%, reduction of the population of microorganisms used as a biological indicator under specified lethal conditions. For dry-heat sterilization, the D-value should always be specified with a reference temperature, DT. For example, a biological indicator (BI) challenge system with a D 160°C=1.9 minutes, requires 1.9 minutes at 160°C to reduce the population by one logarithm. (TR3) The time in minutes at a specific temperature required to reduce the population of a specific microorganism by 90% [or one (1) log] in defined conditions [e.g., method of sterilization (dry heat versus steam), solute, or carrier]. (TR13)
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D-value (D10 -Value)
The time in minutes required for a one-logarithm, or 90%, reduction of the population of microorganisms used as a biological indicator under specified lethal conditions. (TR51)
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DT Value
The time in minutes required for a onelogarithm, or 90%, reduction of the population of microorganisms used as a biological indicator under specified lethal conditions. For steam sterilization, the D-value should always be specified with a reference temperature, DT . For example, a BI system with a D121°C = 1.4 minutes requires 1.4 minutes at 121°C to reduce the population by one logarithm.(TR1) (TR61)
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Darcy Permeability
The constant of proportionality of the material as defined by Darcy’s Law. (TR45)
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Data (WHO)
Data means all original records and true copies of original records, including source data and metadata and all subsequent transformations and reports of this data, which are generated or recorded at the time of the GXP activity and allow full and complete reconstruction and evaluation of the GXP activity. Data should be accurately recorded by permanent means at the time of the activity. Data may be contained in paper records (such as worksheets and logbooks), electronic records and audit trails, photographs, microfilm or microfiche, audio- or video-files or any other media whereby information related to GXP activities is recorded.(TR80)
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Data Integrity (FDA)
Refers to the completeness, consistency, and accuracy of data. Complete, consistent, and accurate data should be attributable, legible, contemporaneously recorded, original or a true copy, and accurate (ALCOA).(TR80) (TR84)
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Data Integrity (MHRA)
The degree to which data are complete, consistent, accurate, trustworthy, reliable and that these characteristics of the data are maintained throughout the data life cycle. The data should be collected and maintained in a secure manner, so that they are attributable, legible, contemporaneously recorded, original (or a true copy) and accurate. Assuring data integrity requires appropriate quality and risk management systems, including adherence to sound scientific principles and good documentation practices.(TR80) (TR84)
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Data Integrity (WHO)
The degree to which data are complete, consistent, accurate, trustworthy and reliable and that these characteristics of the data are maintained throughout the data life cycle. The data should be collected and maintained in a secure manner, such that they are attributable, legible, contemporaneously recorded, original or a true copy and accurate. Assuring data integrity requires appropriate quality and risk management systems, including adherence to sound scientific principles and good documentation practices.(TR80) (TR84)
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Data Lifecycle (MHRA)
All phases in the life of the data (including raw data) from initial generation and recording through processing (including transformation or migration), use, data retention, archive/retrieval and destruction.(TR80) (TR84)
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Date of Manufacture
For small molecules, the date of manufacture of a drug product is considered to be the initial date that an active ingredient has been added during manufacturing. For biologics the date of manufacture can be determined in multiple ways and should be consistent with internal quality systems and the product license application. (TR53)
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Dead Leg
Area of entrapment in a vessel or piping run that could lead to contamination of the product. (TR69)
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Deadlegs
An area of entrapment in the vessel or piping run that could lead to contamination of the product due to insufficient exposure to moist heat. (TR61)
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Decision Maker(s)
Person(s) with the competence and authority to make appropriate and timely quality risk management decisions.(TR54) (TR54-2)
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Decommissioning
A planned and orderly removal of a facility, operation or system from use. (TR48)
The process of retiring equipment/systems/facilities from production use. (TR54-5)
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Decontamination
A process that is designed to remove soil (including microorganisms) and may consist of cleaning and/or disinfection. (TR51)
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Dedicated Equipment
Equipment used exclusively for the manufacture of only one drug product, bulk drug substance, or intermediate. (TR29)
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Defect
(1) A departure of a quality characteristic from its intended level or state that occurs with a severity sufficient to cause an associated product or service not to satisfy its intended normal or foreseeable usage requirements. (TR51) (2) The nonfulfillment of intended usage requirements. The departure or absence of one or more quality characteristics from intended usage requirements. (TR43)
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Defect (ISO def.)
The nonfulfillment of intended usage requirements. The departure or absence of one or more quality characteristics from intended usage requirements. (TR76)
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Degradation
The breakdown (usually chemical) of material during manufacture, including during and after the cleaning process. (TR49) (TR70)
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Degradation Product
Molecular variants resulting from changes in the desired product or product-related substance brought about over time and/or by the action of light, temperature, pH, water, etc., or by reaction with an excipient and/or the immediate container/ closure system. Such changes may occur because of manufacture and/or storage (e.g., deamidation, oxidation, aggregation, proteolysis). Degradation products may be either product-related substance or product-related impurities. (TR57)
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Deionized Water
Water treated by passing through both cation- and anion-exchange resin beds, or a mixed-resin bed to remove both positive and negative ions. (TR45)
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Depth Filter
A matrix of randomly distributed fibers creating a tortuous path with pores of undefined size and shape. A filter that removes particles by a combination of adsorption and size exclusion within its porous matrix rather than on its frontal surface. (TR45)
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Depyrogenation
The destruction and/or removal of bacterial endotoxins. A depyrogenation process should demonstrate at least 99.9% or a 3-log endotoxin reduction. (TR3) Removal or destruction of pyrogens. (TR70)
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Design Space
The multidimensional combination and interaction of input variables (e.g., material attributes) and operational parameters that have been demonstrated demonstrated to provide assurance of quality. Working within the design space is not considered as a change. Movement out of the design space is considered to be a change and would normally initiate a regulatory post approval change process. Design space is proposed by the applicant and is subject to regulatory assessment and approval. (TR30) (TR60) (TR 57-2)
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Design of Experiments (DOE)
A method for carrying out carefully planned experiments on a process. Usually, DoE involves a series of experiments that initially involves evaluating many variables and then focuses on a few critical ones. (TR54-4)
A structured, organized method for determining the relationship between factors affecting an assay and output of that assay. (TR57) (TR57-2) (TR74)
A structured, organized method for determining the relationship between factors affecting a process and the output of that process (8). (TR60)
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Destructive
A method in which a sample cannot be subsequently utilized in any other analytical method or processed to a final product. (TR86)
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Detectability (D)
The ability to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of a hazard. (TR54-2) (TR54-3)
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Detection
The ability to discover or identify a defect or failure. (TR44)
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Detergent
A synthetic wetting agent and emulsifier that can be added to a solvent to improve its cleaning efficiency. (TR70)
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Development Reports
Documentation and description of work done during the early phases of development. The goal is to document information about the way the process works and to document why key choices were made in selecting the specifics of the process (e.g., flow rate or temperature). These documents can serve as a reference during investigations of discrepancies and during the design of specific Validation and characterization studies.(TR14) (TR 42)
Documentation and description of work done during the early phases of development (Stage 1). The goal is to document information about the way the process works and to document why key choices were made in selecting the specifics of the process (e.g., flow rate or temperature). These documents can serve as a reference during investigations of deviations and during the design of specific validation and process characterization studies.(TR60)
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Deviation
Departure or digression from set parameters. (TR58)
Data or a result outside of the expected range or an unfulfilled requirement; it may be called nonconformity, defect, discrepancy, out-of-specification, out-of-limit, or adverse trend. (TR88)
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Diavolume (DV)
A volume equal to the retentate volume to which a diafiltration buffer is added. (TR15)
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Differential Pressure
The difference in pressure between the upstream (feed or influent) and downstream (effluent) sides of the filter. (May be modified with the terms: applied, available differential pressure, clean differential pressure, dirty differential pressure, initial differential pressure, or maximum differential pressure). [Synonym: Delta P (Δ P), PSID, Pressure Drop] (TR45) (TR26)
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Difficult-to-inspect Parenterals (DIP)
When the nature of the product or package limits the ability to perform a thorough inspection for particles. (TR79)
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Diffusion Flow Test
A test to determine the integrity of a filter. The test is based on the measurement of the diffusive (diffusional) flow of a gas through a wetted filter, along with any bulk flow of gas through open (unwetted) pores. Either the gas flow or the downstream liquid, displaced by the gas flow, may be measured. [Synonym: Forward Flow Test] (TR45)
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Diffusion Test (or Forward Flow Test)
A test for membrane integrity that involves measuring the rate of gas diffusion through a liquid-wetted membrane.(TR15) An integrity test in which a filter is subjected to differential gas pressures below the bubble point and gas molecule migration through the water-filled pores of a wetted membrane is measured. This behavior follows Fick’s Law of Diffusion (i.e., the gas diffusional flow rate for a filter is proportional to the differential pressure and the total surface area of the filter). (TR41)
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Diffusive Flow
The movement of a dissolved gas across a liquidwetted membrane based on the concentration (e.g., gas pressure) differential. (TR26)
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Diffusive/Forward Flow Test
A test to determine the integrity of a filter. [Synonym: diffusive flow test, forward flow test.] (TR26)
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Dimensional Product Quality
The product conforms to the required drawing dimensions. (TR43)(TR76)
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Direct Flow Filtration (DFF) or Normal Flow Filtration (NFF)
In direct flow filtration, all fluid is directed through the membrane in a single pass. (TR41)
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Dirty Hold Time
The time from the end of product manufacturing until the beginning of the cleaning process (also called “soiled hold time”). (TR29)
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Discrete Control Valve
A device designed for on/off operation; fully opened or fully closed. (TR48)
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Disinfectant
A chemical or physical agent that reduces, destroys, or eliminates vegetative forms of harmful microorganisms but not spores. (TR70)
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Disinfection
The destruction of pathogenic and other kinds of microorganisms by thermal or chemical means. (TR51) (TR70) Process of eliminating nearly all recognized pathogenic microorganisms but not necessarily all microbial forms (e.g., bacterial spores) on inanimate objects. (TR69) The chemical or physical inactivation of a bioburden on inanimate surfaces. Typically this requires a minimum three-log (3-log) reduction of vegetative microorganisms and two-log (2-log) reduction for bacterial spore be achieved in validation. (TR13)
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Distribution Testing
Qualification of packaging components for physical distribution integrity like shock, vibration, and drop tests. (TR58)
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Downstream Side (of Filter)
The effluent side of the process step (filter). (TR45) The filtrate or outlet side of the filter. (TR26)
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Drug Development
A general term used to define the entire process of bringing a new drug to the Market. It includes drug discovery, process and product development, pre-clinical research (microorganisms/cell culture/animals) and Clinical trials (on humans). (TR56)
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Drug Product (DP)
A pharmaceutical product type that contains a drug substance, generally, in association with excipients. [Synonym: Dosage Form; Finished Product] (TR57)(TR14)(TR42)
A finished dosage form (e.g., tablet, capsule, or solution) that contains a drug substance, generally, but not necessarily, in association with one or more other ingredients.(TR38) (TR67) (TR88)
The dosage form in the final immediate packaging intended for marketing.(TR60)(TR82)
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Drug Shortage Prevention & Response Plan
A document that provides a structured action plan to proactively prevent drug shortages and also respond to a shortage in the event that one occurs. (TR68)
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Drug Shortage Risk Register
A single source of information on risks that can result in drug shortages, associated risk levels, risk control actions with owners, status, due dates and residual risk after appropriate risk control actions have been taken. (TR68)