Selected passages from the FDA letter
Quoted FDA text from the published dataset. These selected excerpts are not the complete letter.
Passage 1Non-microbial contamination was observed in the production area.
Passage 2Your firm produced hazardous drugs without providing adequate cleaning of utensils, components, or containers to prevent cross-contamination.
Passage 3Regarding the information provided in response to Observation 1(A)(i), you stated that a professional cleaning service “…found heavy buildup of blue powder internally in the housing & blower motor/wheel…(and) was only able to get the majority of the buildup of those items…”. This implies not only that there was significant buildup of blue reside within the internal components of the air conditioner, but also, that residue remains. Therefore, remediation of the blue residue within the air conditioning unit is inadequate.
Passage 4Regarding the information provided in response to Observation 1(A)(iii), you stated that the V-blender was not in use at the time and would have been appropriately cleaned prior to use by wiping it with (b)(4) as per the (b)(4) Training Document on the V-blender. Your response is inadequate because there is no assurance that wiping with (b)(4), alone, is sufficient to remove product residue on equipment.
Passage 5Regarding the information provided in response to Observation 2(C), we acknowledge that your procedure is to use (b)(4) and/or (b)(4) the in-process materials and/or equipment, (b)(4) detergent and a sponge. However, your response did not indicate the concentration of (b)(4) used for decontamination. In addition, your firm uses a household detergent, (b)(4) and/or (b)(4) dishwasher detergent to clean in-process materials and/or equipment that are routinely used in the production of your compounded drug products. You have not established that the order of your cleaning process, which utilizes (b)(4) and/or (b)(4) and (b)(4) is adequate to remove detergent residues from your in-process materials and/or equipment.
Passage 6Regarding the information provided in response to Observation 1(B), within which tan and grey colored residue clumps were observed within (b)(4) hoods (b)(4), and (b)(4), you reported that hoods (b)(4) and (b)(4) had been cleaned, however, your response only provided photos of hoods (b)(4) and (b)(4). While the remediation of (b)(4) and (b)(4) appears adequate, an evaluation of the other hoods could not be performed due to the lack of supporting documentation, such as photographs of each hood’s remediation.
Passage 7Regarding the information provided in response to Observation 1(C) within which reddish-brown discoloration was observed on the HEPA filter of (b)(4) airflow (b)(4) containment hood (b)(4) ((b)(4), model (b)(4)), a full assessment could not be performed as documentation, such as a purchase order for the replacement HEPA filter, was not submitted. In addition, your response did not provide a timetable within which the HEPA filter replacement would be completed, and you did not provide your interim plans regarding utilization of this hood. Therefore, it is unclear whether you will continue to use hood (b)(4) prior to completion of remediation. Furthermore, your proposed remediation includes vacuuming the HEPA filter, however, it is unclear how this process could be performed without damaging the filter.
Passage 8Regarding the information provided in response to Observation 1(E), where materials that are not easily cleanable, such as tape and a tan colored thin paper-like covering were observed being used as coverings of (b)(4) holes on (b)(4) (hoods (b)(4), and (b)(4)), your response stated that the tape and tan colored paper-like material on the (b)(4) have been removed, and (b)(4) were ordered to replace them. Your response, however, did not include additional information such as photographs of the remediation, the cleanability of the grommets, and documentation demonstrating that the (b)(4) fit every hole identified within the Observation.