Drugs

Guangxi Yulin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

FDA issued a warning letter to Guangxi Yulin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. (Yulin Shi, Guangxi Zhuangzuzizhiqu, China) on Sep 30, 2025, citing 21 CFR 211.165, 21 CFR 211.160, 21 CFR 211.166 and 21 CFR 211.68. Subject: CGMP, Finished Pharmaceuticals, Adulterated.

From the letter: “you did not perform testing for identity and strength of the active ingredients prior to drug product release and distribution.”

Yulin Shi, Guangxi Zhuangzuzizhiqu, ChinaIssued Sep 30, 2025Posted Oct 21, 2025No close-out recorded

At a glance

What a reviewer notes before reading: findings, citations, the response deadline and what the letter warns of.

Violations
4 findings · 3 issue types
Response due
Not stated in the letter
FDA asks for
6 actions
Named as possible actions
Import alert, refusal of admission
Issued by
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Published status
No close-out recorded

AI assisted findings

Model-assisted reading of each issue. Open one to see the FDA text it comes from, and check it against the full letter.

01Laboratory controls & testing · 21 CFR 211.165(a)Failed to perform identity and strength testing of active ingredients before drug product release.
you did not perform testing for identity and strength of the active ingredients prior to drug product release and distribution.
02Laboratory controls & testing · 21 CFR 211.160(b)Failed to demonstrate test methods are scientifically sound or equivalent to USP compendial methods.
your test methods and specifications are based on the Chinese Pharmacopeia (ChP). However, you failed to establish that these test methods and specifications are scientifically sound and appropriate, or that they are equivalent to or better than the current United States Pharmacopeia (USP) compendial methods.
03Stability & expiry · 21 CFR 211.166(a)Failed to establish an adequate stability program to support labeled shelf life.
you have not established an appropriate stability program (e.g., frequency and methods) to assess stability characteristics, to ensure that your drug products meet their appropriate strength and quality attributes through their (b)(4) shelf life.
04Records & data integrity · 21 CFR 211.68(b)Failed to control laboratory systems to prevent data deletion or manipulation.
your ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy equipment was found to lack audit-trail functionality, and your analysts were able to alter and delete data, files, and folders.

Additional FDA passages

6 extracted findings

Selected FDA passages, not the complete letter.

01

Your firm failed to have, for each batch of drug product, appropriate laboratory determination of satisfactory conformance to final specifications for the drug product, including the identity and strength of each active ingredient, prior to release (21 CFR 211.165(a)).

02

Your firm failed to adequately determine the appropriate laboratory testing necessary for your **(b)(4)** over the counter (OTC) drug products. For example, you did not perform testing for identity and strength of the active ingredients prior to drug product release and distribution. This is a repeat observation from the 2016 inspection.

03

Your firm failed to establish laboratory controls that include scientifically sound and appropriate specifications, standards, sampling plans, and test procedures designed to assure that components, drug product containers, closures, in-process materials, labeling, and drug products conform to appropriate standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity (21 CFR 211.160(b)).

04

Your firm failed to demonstrate that your test methods were appropriate to assure that your product conforms to appropriate standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity. For example, your test methods and specifications are based on the Chinese Pharmacopeia (ChP). However, you failed to establish that these test methods and specifications are scientifically sound and appropriate, or that they are equivalent to or better than the current United States Pharmacopeia (USP) compendial methods.

05

Your firm failed to establish and follow an adequate written testing program designed to assess the stability characteristics of drug products (21 CFR 211.166(a)).

06

Your firm failed to exercise appropriate controls over computer or related systems to assure that only authorized personnel institute changes in master production and control records, or other records (21 CFR 211.68(b)).

What FDA requested

  • Conduct active ingredient testing for retain samples of distributed batches
  • Develop comprehensive CAPA plan for pre-release testing
  • Compare ChP and USP methods and validate revised methods
  • Provide scientific rationale for yearly stability testing frequency
  • Perform audit-trail reviews for all electronic laboratory data
  • Engage qualified consultant for six-system CGMP audit

FDA Warning Letter

39 paragraphs · 5 sections

Text as published on FDA.gov, retrieved Sep 8, 2026. Layout added for reading; the wording is FDA’s. View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)

DatedSeptember 30, 2025
AddressedDear Mr. Guorong

1Introduction

14 paragraphs

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected your drug manufacturing facility, Guangxi Yulin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., FEI 1000589993, at 1 Chengzhan Road in Yulin, Guangxi, from March 17 to 21, 2025.

This warning letter summarizes significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for finished pharmaceuticals. See Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), parts 210 and 211 (21 CFR parts 210 and 211).

Because your methods, facilities, or controls for manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding do not conform to CGMP, your drug products are adulterated within the meaning of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B).

We acknowledge receipt of your response to our Form FDA 483 and subsequent correspondence. Your response is inadequate because you failed to provide supportive documentation for evaluation or adequate evidence of corrective actions taken to bring your operations into compliance with CGMP.

During our inspection, our investigators observed specific violations including, but not limited to, the following.

1. Your firm failed to have, for each batch of drug product, appropriate laboratory determination of satisfactory conformance to final specifications for the drug product, including the identity and strength of each active ingredient, prior to release (21 CFR 211.165(a)).

Your firm failed to adequately determine the appropriate laboratory testing necessary for your (b)(4) over the counter (OTC) drug products. For example, you did not perform testing for identity and strength of the active ingredients prior to drug product release and distribution. This is a repeat observation from the 2016 inspection.

In your response, you indicate your intent to conduct active ingredient testing for retain samples of batches that have been distributed to the United States and to develop a risk assessment. However, your response is inadequate because you do not propose a comprehensive corrective action and preventive action plan to ensure that appropriate testing is conducted prior to drug product release. In addition, you do not indicate further actions that your firm will pursue for distributed drug products if test results are found to be outside specification.

Full release testing, including strength and identity testing of the active ingredients, must be performed before drug product release and distribution. Without adequate testing, you do not have adequate scientific evidence to ensure that your drug products conform to appropriate specifications before their release.

2. Your firm failed to establish laboratory controls that include scientifically sound and appropriate specifications, standards, sampling plans, and test procedures designed to assure that components, drug product containers, closures, in-process materials, labeling, and drug products conform to appropriate standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity (21 CFR 211.160(b)).

Your firm failed to demonstrate that your test methods were appropriate to assure that your product conforms to appropriate standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity. For example, your test methods and specifications are based on the Chinese Pharmacopeia (ChP). However, you failed to establish that these test methods and specifications are scientifically sound and appropriate, or that they are equivalent to or better than the current United States Pharmacopeia (USP) compendial methods.

In your response, you state that you will compare the differences in testing methods for (b)(4) and (b)(4) between the ChP and the USP, and then conduct validation on the revised methods. However, your response is inadequate because you fail to comprehensively assess the appropriateness of the methods and specifications used during system suitability and for the testing of other components and finished drug products.

Test methods must be validated to show that they are suitable for their intended use, and equivalent to or better than applicable USP compendial methods. The reproducibility of your test methods is essential to determine if your drug products meet established specifications.

Without appropriate test methods, you do not have scientific evidence to support whether your drug products meet their established specifications through their labeled expiry.

23. Your firm failed to establish and follow an adequate written testing program designed to assess the stability characteristics of drug products (21 CFR 211.166(a)).

7 paragraphs

Your firm does not have adequate stability data to demonstrate that the chemical and microbiological properties of your drug products meet established specifications and remain acceptable throughout their labeled shelf life. For example, you have not established an appropriate stability program (e.g., frequency and methods) to assess stability characteristics, to ensure that your drug products meet their appropriate strength and quality attributes through their (b)(4) shelf life.

In your response, you propose to perform tests once a year during the stability test period. However, your response is inadequate because you do not provide scientific rationale or a formal written risk assessment to support this yearly frequency.

Without appropriate stability studies, you lack adequate scientific evidence to support whether your drug products meet established specifications and retain their quality attributes through their labeled expiry.

4. Your firm failed to exercise appropriate controls over computer or related systems to assure that only authorized personnel institute changes in master production and control records, or other records (21 CFR 211.68(b)).

Your laboratory equipment lacked sufficient controls to prevent and detect deletion or manipulation of your laboratory's electronic raw data. For example, your ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy equipment was found to lack audit-trail functionality, and your analysts were able to alter and delete data, files, and folders. This is a repeat observation from your 2016 inspection.

In your response, you commit to performing audit-trail reviews for active ingredient assays before batch release. However, your response is inadequate because your commitment does not include the review of other electronic laboratory data associated with component and finished-product testing. Furthermore, you fail to provide review procedures designed to ensure data accuracy and integrity.

Your quality system does not adequately ensure the accuracy and integrity of data to support the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the drugs you manufacture. See FDA’s guidance document Data Integrity and Compliance With Drug CGMP for guidance on establishing and following CGMP compliant data integrity practices at https://www.fda.gov/media/119267/download.

3Repeat Observations at Facility

1 paragraph

In a previous inspection, dated September 29, 2016, FDA cited similar CGMP observations. You proposed specific remediation for these observations in your response. Repeated failures demonstrate that executive management oversight and control over the manufacture of drugs is inadequate.

4CGMP Consultant Recommended

2 paragraphs

Based upon the nature of the violations we identified at your firm, you should engage a consultant qualified as set forth in 21 CFR 211.34 to evaluate your operations and to assist your firm in meeting CGMP requirements. The qualified consultant should also perform a comprehensive six-system audit of your entire operation for CGMP compliance and evaluate the completion and efficacy of your corrective actions and preventive actions before you pursue resolution of your firm’s compliance status with FDA. See FDA’s guidance for industry, Quality Systems Approach to Pharmaceutical CGMP Regulations, at https://www.fda.gov/media/71023/download.

Your use of a consultant does not relieve your firm’s obligation to comply with CGMP. Your firm’s executive management remains responsible for resolving all deficiencies and systemic flaws to ensure ongoing CGMP compliance.

5Conclusion

6 paragraphs

The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations that exist at your facility. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations.

FDA placed all drugs and drug products offered for import into the United States from your firm on Import Alert 66-40 on September 26, 2025.

Correct any violations promptly. FDA may withhold approval of new applications or supplements listing your firm as a drug manufacturer until any violations are completely addressed and we confirm your compliance with CGMP. We may re-inspect to verify that you have completed corrective actions to any violations.

Failure to address any violations may also result in the FDA refusing admission of articles manufactured at Guangxi Yulin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., in Yulin, Guangxi, into the United States under section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 381(a)(3). Articles under this authority that appear to be adulterated may be detained or refused admission, in that the methods and controls used in their manufacture do not appear to conform to CGMP within the meaning of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B).

This letter notifies you of our findings and provides you an opportunity to address the above deficiencies. After you receive this letter, respond to this office in writing within 15 working days. Specify what you have done to address any violations and to prevent their recurrence. In response to this letter, you may provide additional information for our consideration as we continue to assess your activities and practices. If you cannot complete corrective actions within 15 working days, state your reasons for delay and your schedule for completion.

Send your electronic reply to CDER-OC-OMQ-Communications@fda.hhs.gov. Identify your response with FEI 1000589993 and ATTN: Samantha Bradley.

Sincerely,/S/

Francis GodwinDirectorOffice of Manufacturing QualityOffice of ComplianceCenter for Drug Evaluation and Research

Citations and trends

Each 21 CFR section, ISO 13485 clause and issue type in this letter, how often it appears across all letters, and its trend by the year FDA issued the letters. 2026 runs to Nov 3, 2026, compared with the same dates last year. Select a row or a bar to see those letters in Letters. As cited in this historical letter, not a statement of current requirements.

Regulations

Also cited: 21 CFR 210

Issue types

Stability & expiryAI-assigned issue type142letters1finding here
21 letters issued this year vs 34 by the same date last year · -38%

Record details

Issuing center
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Issuing office
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Location
Yulin Shi, Guangxi Zhuangzuzizhiqu, China
Letter posted date
Oct 21, 2025
Letter issue date
Sep 30, 2025
Addressed to
Chairman & General Manager
Inspection dates
Mar 17, 2025
Response window
Not verified in this snapshot. Consult the original letter.
Record length
1,492 words · 4 recorded redactions
Published status
No published close-out
FDA reference
320-25-117
Original letter
View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
Dataset last checked
Nov 11, 2026 · How this is built

A response window is not a calculated due date. Source excerpts are selected passages. Finding interpretations and categories are model-assisted. Verify the original letter before relying on a finding.

See the pattern across 1,707 lettersFind letters like this →
Keep exploring

More drug letters

Recent records for the same product type. Your previous filters remain available when you return.

Keep exploring

Find letters like this →
For regulated teams

Put this kind of reading to
work on your own records.

Botable builds and runs a custom AI layer around the software you already use, so your team can do the job you hired them for.

Every letter by dateHow this database is built

FDA Warning Letter Alerts

Share this view

Send the same filters, search and view to a colleague.

You choose what to post or send. Sharing a link does not change access to this site.