Standard Operating Procedure for Storing Excipients Based on Pharmacopoeial Guidelines
Department | Warehouse / Quality Assurance |
---|---|
SOP No. | SOP/RM/107/2025 |
Supersedes | SOP/RM/107/2022 |
Page No. | Page 1 of 15 |
Issue Date | 07/02/2025 |
Effective Date | 11/02/2025 |
Review Date | 07/02/2026 |
1. Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the requirements for storing pharmaceutical excipients based on pharmacopoeial guidelines to maintain their quality, stability, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
2. Scope
This SOP applies to all excipients stored in the warehouse, including binders, fillers, disintegrants, lubricants, and preservatives. It covers storage conditions, environmental monitoring, and documentation procedures to ensure compliance with pharmacopeial standards (e.g., USP, BP, IP).
3. Responsibilities
- Warehouse Personnel: Store excipients under specified conditions, monitor environmental parameters, and maintain accurate records.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Verify compliance with pharmacopoeial storage requirements, conduct audits, and approve corrective actions in case of deviations.
- Warehouse Manager: Ensure proper storage setup, functioning of monitoring equipment, and staff training on storage protocols.
4. Accountability
The Warehouse Manager is accountable for ensuring excipients are stored according to pharmacopoeial guidelines. The QA Manager is responsible for verifying compliance through inspections and audits.
5. Procedure
5.1 Storage Requirements Based on Pharmacopoeial Guidelines
- Temperature Control:
- Store excipients at temperatures specified in pharmacopeial guidelines, typically between 15°C and 25°C, unless otherwise stated.
- For excipients requiring refrigeration, maintain storage temperatures between 2°C and 8°C.
- Document temperature readings in the Temperature Monitoring Log (Annexure-1).
- Humidity Control:
- Maintain relative humidity below 60% unless specified differently for particular excipients.
- Use desiccants for hygroscopic excipients and monitor humidity levels continuously.
- Document humidity readings in the Humidity Monitoring Log (Annexure-2).
- Light Protection:
- Store light-sensitive excipients in opaque containers or dark storage areas to prevent degradation.
- Ensure storage areas have UV-protected lighting where necessary.
5.2 Segregation and Labeling of Excipients
- Segregation by Type:
- Segregate excipients based on their pharmacological properties (e.g., hygroscopic, temperature-sensitive).
- Store excipients separately from APIs and hazardous materials to prevent cross-contamination.
- Labeling Requirements:
- Ensure each container is labeled with:
- Excipients Name
- Batch/Lot Number
- Manufacturer/Supplier Name
- Manufacturing Date and Expiry Date
- Storage Conditions (as per pharmacopeial guidelines)
- Document labeling activities in the Labeling Log (Annexure-3).
- Ensure each container is labeled with:
5.3 Environmental Monitoring and Documentation
- Environmental Monitoring:
- Continuously monitor temperature and humidity using calibrated equipment with alarm systems for deviations.
- Perform manual checks daily and verify with automated monitoring data.
- Document environmental data in the Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-4).
- Calibration of Monitoring Devices:
- Calibrate all temperature and humidity monitoring devices at regular intervals, as specified by the manufacturer.
- Record calibration activities in the Calibration Log (Annexure-5).
5.4 Handling of Deviations in Storage Conditions
- Deviation Detection:
- If temperature or humidity deviates from the specified range, identify the cause and take immediate corrective action.
- Document deviations in the Deviation Log (Annexure-6).
- Corrective Actions:
- Move affected excipients to alternative storage conditions while resolving the issue.
- QA will evaluate the impact on product quality and determine further actions.
- Record corrective actions in the Corrective Action Log (Annexure-7).
5.5 Periodic Review and Compliance Monitoring
- Warehouse Inspections:
- Conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with pharmacopoeial storage guidelines.
- Document inspection findings in the Warehouse Inspection Log (Annexure-8).
- QA Compliance Audits:
- QA will conduct periodic audits to verify excipients are stored according to pharmacopoeial standards.
- Document audit findings in the Compliance Audit Log (Annexure-9).
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
- QA: Quality Assurance
- IP: Indian Pharmacopoeia
- USP: United States Pharmacopeia
- BP: British Pharmacopoeia
7. Documents
- Temperature Monitoring Log (Annexure-1)
- Humidity Monitoring Log (Annexure-2)
- Labeling Log (Annexure-3)
- Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-4)
- Calibration Log (Annexure-5)
- Deviation Log (Annexure-6)
- Corrective Action Log (Annexure-7)
- Warehouse Inspection Log (Annexure-8)
- Compliance Audit Log (Annexure-9)
8. References
- 21 CFR Part 211 – Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Finished Pharmaceuticals
- ICH Q7 – Good Manufacturing Practice for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
- Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) Guidelines
- United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Guidelines
- British Pharmacopoeia (BP) Guidelines
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
---|---|---|---|
Signature | |||
Date | |||
Name | |||
Designation | |||
Department |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Temperature Monitoring Log
Date | Storage Area | Temperature (°C) | Recorded By |
---|---|---|---|
07/02/2025 | Excipient Storage Room A | 22°C | Ravi Kumar |
Annexure-2: Humidity Monitoring Log
Date | Storage Area | Humidity (%) | Recorded By |
---|---|---|---|
07/02/2025 | Excipient Storage Room A | 45% | Sunita Sharma |
Annexure-3: Labeling Log
Date | Excipient Name | Batch Number | Storage Condition | Labeled By |
---|---|---|---|---|
07/02/2025 | Lactose Monohydrate | LM-2025-001 | 15°C – 25°C, Dry | Anjali Mehta |
Annexure-4: Environmental Monitoring Log
Date | Storage Area | Temperature (°C) | Humidity (%) | Recorded By |
---|---|---|---|---|
07/02/2025 | Excipient Storage Room A | 22°C | 45% | Ravi Kumar |
Annexure-5: Calibration Log
Date | Device | Calibration Status | Calibrated By |
---|---|---|---|
06/02/2025 | Humidity Sensor 002 | Calibrated | Sunita Sharma |
Annexure-6: Deviation Log
Date | Deviation | Action Taken | Reported By |
---|---|---|---|
06/02/2025 | Humidity exceeded 60% | Activated additional dehumidifier | Ravi Kumar |
Annexure-7: Corrective Action Log
Date | Issue | Corrective Action | Performed By |
---|---|---|---|
06/02/2025 | Temperature deviation detected | Adjusted HVAC settings | Sunita Sharma |
Annexure-8: Warehouse Inspection Log
Date | Area Inspected | Inspector | Findings | Corrective Actions |
---|---|---|---|---|
07/02/2025 | Excipient Storage Room A | Anjali Mehta | No deviations detected | N/A |
Annexure-9: Compliance Audit Log
Date | Audit Type | Findings | Corrective Actions | Audited By |
---|---|---|---|---|
08/02/2025 | Pharmacopoeial Compliance Audit | All procedures compliant | N/A | Anjali Mehta |
Revision History:
Revision Date | Revision No. | Revision Details | Reason for Revision | Approved By |
---|---|---|---|---|
01/01/2024 | 1.0 | Initial Version | New SOP | QA Head |
07/02/2025 | 2.0 | Updated Storage Requirements and Documentation Formats | Regulatory Compliance | QA Head |