SOP Guide for Pharma

Capsule: SOP for Validation of Capsule Drying Procedures – V 2.0

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Capsule: SOP for Validation of Capsule Drying Procedures – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Validation of Capsule Drying Procedures

Department Capsule Manufacturing
SOP No. SOP/CM/153/2025
Supersedes SOP/CM/153/2022
Page No. Page 1 of 7
Issue Date 01/02/2025
Effective Date 05/02/2025
Review Date 01/02/2026

1. Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedure for validating the capsule drying process in capsule manufacturing. The drying process is essential for ensuring the correct moisture content in capsule shells. This SOP ensures that the drying process consistently meets predetermined quality standards and regulatory requirements, and that the capsules are properly dried to maintain stability and integrity.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to the validation of capsule drying procedures, including drying times, temperature control, and moisture content testing. It covers the use of drying equipment, such as ovens and drying trays, to ensure that the capsules are dried effectively and meet the required specifications before packaging and distribution.

3. Responsibilities

4. Accountability

The Capsule Manufacturing Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the capsule drying process is validated according to this SOP. The QA Manager is responsible for reviewing and approving the validation results and ensuring that the process is compliant with GMP and regulatory standards.

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5. Procedure

5.1 Preparation for Capsule Drying Validation

Before starting the validation, ensure the following preparations are made:

  1. Review Validation Plan
    1. Review the capsule drying validation plan, which should include the objectives, materials, equipment, personnel, and the criteria for validation acceptance.
    2. Ensure that the validation plan is approved by the QA department before proceeding with the drying process validation.
  2. Gather Materials and Equipment
    1. Ensure that the capsules to be dried are available and have passed the required testing before the drying process starts.
    2. Ensure that all equipment, including drying ovens, drying trays, temperature controllers, and moisture analyzers, are available and ready for use.
  3. Verify Equipment Calibration
    1. Verify that all drying equipment is properly calibrated, including temperature and humidity monitoring devices. Record this information in the Equipment Calibration Log (Annexure-1).

5.2 Drying Process Validation

Follow these steps to validate the capsule drying process:

  1. Pre-Validation Setup
    1. Set up the drying equipment according to the standard operating procedures and ensure that all settings, such as temperature and humidity, are set to the desired values.
    2. Ensure that all necessary parameters for drying, such as time and temperature limits, are recorded in the drying log for monitoring.
  2. Drying Procedure
    1. Place the capsules into the drying equipment and initiate the drying process according to the specified conditions, ensuring that the capsules are evenly spaced and not overcrowded.
    2. Monitor key parameters, including temperature, humidity, and drying time, throughout the drying process to ensure they remain within the specified range.
    3. Ensure that the capsules are not exposed to excessive heat or humidity, as this may affect their quality.
  3. Monitoring and Adjustments
    1. Monitor the drying process continuously, recording temperatures, humidity, and time at regular intervals in the Drying Log (Annexure-2).
    2. If any of the monitored parameters fall outside the acceptable range, take corrective actions immediately, such as adjusting the equipment settings or removing the capsules from the drying unit.
  4. Moisture Content Testing
    1. Test the moisture content of the capsules after the drying process is completed. Use an approved method, such as a moisture analyzer or desiccator, to determine if the capsules meet the required moisture content specifications.
    2. Record the moisture content results in the Capsule Moisture Content Report (Annexure-3) and compare them against the predefined specifications.
  5. Assess Results
    1. Review the test results and ensure that the capsules meet the desired moisture content and other quality specifications.
    2. If the results are satisfactory, approve the batch for the next phase of production. If any issues are found, initiate corrective actions and revalidate the drying process if necessary.
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5.3 Post-Validation Documentation

Ensure proper documentation of the validation process:

  1. Validation Report
    1. Prepare the Capsule Drying Validation Report (Annexure-4) that includes a summary of the validation activities, test results, and corrective actions (if any) taken during the process.
  2. Approval of Validation Results
    1. Review the validation report and ensure all data is consistent with the validation criteria. The report should be approved by the QA Manager before proceeding with routine production runs.

5.4 Documentation

Ensure proper documentation of the drying process validation for traceability:

  1. Drying Log
    1. Document the drying conditions for each batch, including time, temperature, humidity, and any corrective actions taken during the validation process.
  2. Moisture Content Report
    1. Document the moisture content results of the capsules in the Capsule Moisture Content Report (Annexure-3).
  3. Process Validation Report
    1. Complete the process validation report and ensure it is signed by the QA team to verify that the drying process was validated and approved for routine use.
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6. Abbreviations

7. Documents

  1. Drying Log (Annexure-2)
  2. Moisture Content Report (Annexure-3)
  3. Process Validation Report (Annexure-4)
  4. Equipment Calibration Log (Annexure-1)

8. References

9. SOP Version

Version: 2.0

10. Approval Section

Prepared By Checked By Approved By
Signature
Date
Name
Designation
Department

11. Annexures

Annexure-2: Drying Log

Batch ID Drying Date Operator Time Temperature Humidity Corrections
Batch 001 02/02/2025 John Doe 60 mins 50°C 45% No corrections

Annexure-3: Moisture Content Report

Batch ID Moisture Content (%) Test Date Operator Results
Batch 001 8.5% 02/02/2025 Jane Smith Pass

Annexure-4: Process Validation Report

Batch ID Validation Date Operator Test Parameters Results
Batch 001 02/02/2025 Jane Smith Drying Time, Temperature, Humidity Pass

Annexure-1: Equipment Calibration Log

Equipment ID Calibration Date Operator Calibration Details Next Calibration Due
Drying Oven 001 02/02/2025 Jane Smith Temperature calibration 02/02/2026

Revision History:

Revision Date Revision No. Revision Details Reason for Revision Approved By
01/01/2024 1.0 Initial version New SOP Creation QA Head
01/02/2025 2.0 Updated drying process validation procedure Improved process controls QA Head
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