SOP for Sampling of Sterile Raw Material

OBJECTIVE

To lay down a procedure for aseptic sampling of sterile Raw Material to get a representative sample of the whole lot for analysis.

RESPONSIBILITY

Microbiologist.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Quality Control Manager.

PROCEDURE

• Generate Sampler’s checklist-RM as per the Batch Number mentioned in the Under Test list and decide the number of containers to be sampled as per the sampling plan (Annexure – I).
• Check and reconcile the number of containers and the total quantity as shown in Under Test.
• Compare the details like manufacturing date, expiry date and pharmacopoeial status mentioned on Sampler’s checklist-RM with that mentioned on the manufacturer’s label. Ensure that each container is affixed with a ‘UNDER TEST’ label. In case of any discrepancies inform to Quality Control Manager / Warehouse Manager.
• Check the packing condition of the containers for any damages. Physically damaged containers shall not be considered for sampling and the same shall be Rejected.
• In the case of material received in triple laminated bags, the sample container received along with the material shall be used for microbiological and chemical testing.
• In case of sterile material received in Aluminium containers, follow the procedure given below,

1. Select the containers to be sampled and inform the warehouse officer to transfer these containers to the raw material storage area of the production block.
2. Sterilize and dehydrogenate all sampling accessories as mentioned above.
3. Prepare labels for individual container samples, with details of the name of the material, Batch no., and container number.
4. The total number of labels to be prepared shall be equal to the number of containers to be sampled.
5. Prepare labels (annexure-II ) for the Sample for Analysis, microbiology test, and control sample.
6. Transfer the containers to the buffer zone. Follow the SOP on ‘Raw material receipt, storage, and transfer to the sterile area’.
7. Enter into the sterile area following the gowning and degowning procedure for the sterile area.
8. Transfer the container to be sampled to the Quality Control Microbiology Lab ( Sterile Area.)
9. Ensure that the temperature inside the room is less than 25 deg.C. & RH is less than 40% or as specified on the Manufacturer’s label.
10. Place one container under LAF. Peel off the outer tape/seal from the mouth of the container and open the lid of the container aseptically.
11. Withdraw an appropriate quantity of sample aseptically into a piece of dehydrogenated aluminium foil.
12. Observe carefully the physical appearance of the material for any abnormalities like discoloration, lumps, foreign matter and physical heterogenicity.
13. If any abnormalities are observed, collect the sample in two separate vial, for separate evaluation.
14. Plug all vials with sterilized rubber plugs.
15. Close the lid of the container tightly, wrap the mouth with adhesive tape, and remove the container from the LAF booth.
16. Mark the sample containers using a glass marker with batch number and container number in case of individual samples and only batch number in case of a pool, control sample & micro-sample.
17. Mark containers/packs that are selected for sampling with a marker as N/1/n, N/2/n….N/S/n (‘N’ stands for the total number of packs/containers, ‘S’ for the serial number of containers selected for sampling and ‘n’ for a total number of containers taken for sampling).
18. Similarly, sample the rest of the containers aseptically. Refer to annexure-II for the total quantity to be sampled.
19. Seal all the vials with aluminium tear-off seals.
20. Transfer all the containers to Air lock-1.
21. Transfer all the samples & sampling aids in the Air lock-1.
22. Clean the LAF bench and room and leave the sterile area along with the samples.
23. Label all the collected sample vials.
24. Affix ‘SAMPLED’ labels (Annexure – III) duly signed with the date of sampling on the container.
25. Record all observations in Sampler’s checklist-RM (Annexure-IV).
26. Give the samples along with the Sampler’s checklist-RM, and Supplier’s COA (if available) to Quality Control Laboratory for Chemical Analysis.
27. Inform the warehouse officer to shift all the containers back to Stores ‘UNDER TEST STORAGE’ area after performing decontamination of external surfaces.

ALSO READ: SOP for Sampling of Raw Material

• Preparation of sampling accessories

1. Vials: Follow washing, drying, sterilizing and depyrogenation procedure as followed in normal production.
2. Rubber Stopper: Follow the washing steam sterilization and drying procedure as followed in the normal production run.
3. Spoons: Wash the spoon dry and wrap it in 3 layers of aluminium foil, depyrogenate in Dry Heat Sterilizer at 250 degree Celsius for one hour.
4. Aluminium Foil: Cut pieces of aluminium foil of approximately 10cm.sq.area, wrap them in a triple layer of aluminium foil and depyrogenate in Dry Heat Sterilizer at 250 degree Celsius for one hour.
5. After depyrogenation of sampling accessories, transfer them to the production block hatch. Remove the outer layer of wrap here, from this hatch transfer the accessories to the aseptic area hatch. Remove the second layer of the wrap and transfer them to buffer zone LAF.

ABBREVIATIONS

SOP = Standard Operating Procedure

COA = Certificate of Analysis.

ANNEXURES

Annexurer-1

REVISION HISTORY

Nil

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