
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 54-5: Quality Risk Management for the Design, Qualification, and Operation of Manufacturing Systems (5)
- TR 54-2: QRM: Packaging Labeling (4)
- TR 56: Phase Appropriate cGMP Application (2)
- TR 60: Process Validation (2)
- TR 68: Drug Shortage Management (2)
- TR 60-3: Process Validation: A Lifecycle Approach: Bio Drug Sub Mfg (2)
- TR 60-2: Process Validation: A Lifecycle Approach, Annex 1: Oral Solid Dosage/Semisolid Dosage Forms (2)
- TR 44: QRM: Aseptic Processes (2)
- TR 54-4: QRM: Biotech Drug Substance (1)
- TR 57: Analytical Method Validation (1)
- TR 58: Temp Controlled Distribution (1)
- TR 74: Reprocessing of Biopharmaceuticals (1)
- TR 3: Validation: Dry Heat (1)
- TR 14: Validation: Protein Purification Chromatography (1)
- TR 81: Cell-Based Therapy Control Strategy (1)
- TR 42: Validation: Protein Manufacturing (1)
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Critical Process Parameter (CPP) or Critical Operational Parameter
A process parameter whose variability has an impact on a critical quality attribute and therefore should be monitored or controlled to ensure the process produces the desired quality. (TR54) (TR54-4) (TR56) (TR54-5) (TR60-2) (TR5 6) (TR 81)
An input process parameter that should be controlled within a meaningful operating range to ensure that drug substance critical quality attributes meet their specifications. Although parameters with wide operating ranges may also impact product quality, they are generally easily controlled and not as likely to result in excursions that impact quality and are therefore low risk of occurrence. (TR60-3)
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Criticality
A classification of an item (e.g., process, equipment, parameter) that expresses the significance given to the impact of that item, and should therefore be controlled or monitored to ensure product quality, safety or efficacy. (TR54) A classification of an item (e.g., product, process, equipment, parameter) that expresses the significance given to the impact of that item, and should therefore be controlled or monitored to ensure product quality, safety or efficacy. (TR68)
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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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Enabler
A tool or process which provides the means to achieve an objective (ICH Q10). (TR54)
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Event Tree Analysis (ETA)
A systematic technique that employs forward logic to construct a graphical representation of consequences from an initiating event. (TR54)
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Knowledge Management
Systematic approach to acquiring, analyzing, storing, and disseminating information related to products, manufacturing processes and components (ICH Q10). (TR54) (TR68) (TR54-5)
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Lifecycle
All phases in the life of a product from the initial development through marketing until the product’s discontinuation. (TR54) (TR60)
All phases in the life of a product, from the initial development through marketing until the product is discontinued. (TR60-2)
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Process Qualification
Documented verification that a system is capable of consistently performing or controlling the activities of the processes it is required to perform or control, according to written and preapproved specifications, while operating in its specified operating environment. (TR3)
Confirming that the manufacturing process as designed is capable of reproducible commercial manufacturing. (TR54) (TR60) (TR54-5)
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Process Validation
The documented evidence that the process, operated within established parameters, can perform effectively and reproducibly to produce an intermediate or API (drug substance) meeting its predetermined specifications and quality attributes. (TR14) (TR42)
Establishing documented evidence which provides a high degree of assurance that a specific process will consistently produce a product meeting its predetermined specifications and quality attributes. (TR44)
The collection and evaluation of data, from the process design stage through commercial production, which establishes scientific evidence that a process is capable of consistently delivering quality products. (TR54) (TR57) (TR74)
The collection and evaluation of data, from the process design stage through commercial production, which establishes scientific evidence that a process is capable of consistently delivering quality product.
The documented evidence that the process, operated within established parameters, can perform effectively and reproducibly to produce a medicinal product meeting its predetermined specifications and quality attributes, as described in EMA, EU GMP, Part 1, Annex 15, drug/medicinal product. (TR56)
EMA: The documented evidence that the process, operated within established parameters, can perform effectively and reproducibly to produce a medicinal product meeting its predetermined specifications and quality attributes.
US FDA: The collection and evaluation of data, from the process design stage through commercial production, which establishes scientific evidence that a process is capable of consistently delivering quality products. (TR60-2)
The documented evidence that the process, operated within established parameters, can perform effectively and reproducibly to produce an intermediate or drug substance meeting its predetermined specifications and quality attributes (1, 17). (TR60-3)
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Product Lifecycle
All phases in the life of a product from the initial development through marketing until the product’s discontinuation (ICH Q8[R2]. (TR54) (TR54-5)
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Residual Risk
Risk remaining after risk control measures have been taken. (TR44) (TR58)
Risk remaining after risk control measures have been implemented (derived from ISO 14971:2007). (TR54) (TR54-2)
Risk remaining after risk control measures has been implemented. (TR54-5)
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Senior Management
Person(s) who direct and control a company or site at the highest levels with the authority and responsibility to mobilize resources within the company or site (TR54) (TR54-2)
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Stakeholder(s)
Any individual, group or organization that can affect, be affected by or perceive itself to be affected by a risk. Decision makers might also be stakeholders. For the purposes of this guideline, the primary stakeholders are the patient, health-care professional, regulatory authority, and industry (ICH Q9). (TR54) (TR54-2)
Any individual, group, or organization that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a risk. Decision makers might also be stakeholders. (TR54-5)