The «cut-and-pressed granules» dosage form was developed to improve the technological properties of cut and powdered herbal substances in order to compensate for their insufficient flowability, as well as to facilitate dosing, reduce the contamination of the production equipment with dust and contamination of water extracts with dietary fibers. Based on the results of the information research the authors chose an optimal technology for the production of cut-and-pressed granules from some types of herbal substances (Rose hips, Bearberry leaf, Thyme herb, Melissa herb, Oregano herb, Motherwort grass, Matricaria flower). The authors standardised the new dosage form, developed the list of test parameters, test methods, and regulatory requirements for the quality of medicinal products based on the technological features of the new dosage form. Cut-and-pressed granules should not be produced from herbal substances that contain essential oils and coumarins, as it was demonstrated that the content of these compounds may decrease in the process of wet granulation. To determine whether it is possible to produce cut-and-pressed granules from a particular type of raw material, it is necessary to conduct comparative experimental studies confirming that the quality of aqueous extracts obtained from powdered herbal substances in sachets is comparable to that of tinctures or decoctions obtained from cut-and-pressed granules packed in sachets. The materials of the study were used to draft the general chapter OFS.1.4.1.0022.15 «Cut-and-pressed granules». This dosage form is not described in any foreign pharmacopoeias.

The introduction of the «therapeutic equivalence» concept into the Russian legislation is critical for evaluation of medicines interchangeability and for recognising them as generics. It is stipulated by the legislation that therapeutic equivalence has to be evaluated using a special instrument — «therapeutic equivalence study». The aim of this work was to analyse the validity of considering a therapeutic equivalence study as the only study that allows for confirmation of therapeutic equivalence of medicines. The term «therapeutic equivalence» has been adopted by the leading world regulators, but there is no clear concept of what is a therapeutic equivalence clinical study. The key distinctive features of the foreign approach, as compared to the Russian one, are comparison of medicines with one active pharmaceutical ingredient, and additional conditions for the establishment of therapeutic equivalence. The clinical trial methodology, which is based on the use of statistical analysis methods, also imposes constraints on evaluation of «similarity» of properties, efficacy and safety of medicines in a single study. Hence, there are several reasons why the results of comparative clinical trials can not be used as a sole basis for the establishment of therapeutic equivalence. These results have to be substantiated by confirmation of comparable composition and pharmacokinetic parameters of medicines in order for them to be considered therapeutically equivalent. This does not contradict the existing regulatory framework and is consistent with the current scientific methodology for conducting clinical trials.

The paper considers insulin’s specific action on the patient’s body, types of insulin preparations and insulin analogues which are used for the treatment of diabetes, as well as applicable requirements for these products. It was demonstrated that determination of biological activity is one of the key quality parameters of this type of medicines. The paper summarises the methods used for evaluation of insulin and its analogues, which are based both on the hormone’s general action on the body (in vivo: double crossing, euglycemic clamp, etc.), and on certain aspects of the hormone’s interaction with the body systems (in vitro: receptor-binding assay, phosphorylation, metabolic methods). Due to the appearance of insulin biosimilars on the pharmaceutical market, the article raises the issue that the «Biological potency» parameter tested in animals should be kept as part of the product specification. The analysis of the in vivo and in vitro methods of biological activity determination convincingly demonstrates that animal models can not be replaced with the modern analytical methods based on cell cultures. Consequently, animal models are still necessary, as they allow for an adequate assessment of the quality of insulins in terms of «Biological potency». Taking into account the global trend towards reduction of animal testing, the authors point out the need to develop modern methods, the results of which will be comparable to the results of in vivo determination of the biological activity.

The article describes specific aspects of biosimilars research and development. The aim of the study was to analyse the ways to conduct comparative studies of biotechnological medicinal products and the main approaches to the assessment of the obtained data. The paper highlights that biotechnological products are associated with a much higher potential variability of chemical and pharmacological characteristics than small molecules. The author analyses the reasons of this phenomenon, describes mechanisms underlying the microheterogeneity of protein molecules, primarily post-translational modification. The latter has an impact on the pharmacokinetic parameters, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity of complex protein molecules, which increases the variability of test results and makes it difficult to conduct bioequivalence studies. In addition to bioequivalence studies, biosimilars research should include comparative studies of pharmacodynamics, evaluation of therapeutic equivalence and immunogenicity. Assessment of the medicines comparability should be based on the analysis of all data provided, which requires a more flexible and sometimes individual approach on the part of regulatory authorities.

This article looks into interchangeability and therapeutic equivalence of innovator and generic anticonvulsants — the first-generation and new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The results of a number of clinical trials assessing therapeutic equivalence of generic AEDs support the opinion that these medicines could only be substituted provided an ultra-cautious approach is used, even if the case involves only one International Nonproprietary Name, including, but not limited to different dosage forms of one and the same product. The aim of the study was to analyse factors leading to incorrect assessment of therapeutic equivalence of new and generic anticonvulsant drugs, and to improve methodological approaches to conducting clinical trials of these products. The paper cites data from Russian and foreign sources which state that the substitution of AEDs in some patients in full remission may result in adverse reactions or relapse of seizures. The analysis of the experience of scientific, expert, and regulatory institutions made it possible to develop a course of actions to be used when substituting AEDs and conducting clinical trials that assess therapeutic equivalence of new and generic anticonvulsants. The proposed methodology will help minimise potential health risks brought about by various factors that result in incorrect assessment of AEDs therapeutic equivalence and interchangeability.

Labeling is an important source of information about a medicinal product. The completeness and accuracy of labeling ensures correct identification, as well as safe and efficacious use of the product. The aim of the present paper was to perform comparative analysis of requirements for the design of medicinal product packages currently applicable in the Russian Federation and in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in order to facilitate the introduction of Russian medicinal products into the EEU market. The EEU requirements for medicinal product labeling are described in laws and regulations stipulating medicinal products circulation in the EEU. The Russian requirements are laid out in Federal Law No. 61-FZ «On medicines circulation» dated April 12, 2010, the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, and the Guideline on Medicinal Products Evaluation of the FSBI «SCEEMP» of the Ministry of Health of Russia. It was demonstrated that labeling requirements described in the EEU and Russian regulations largely overlap, but there are also a number of differences that are mainly related to the information on the medicinal product composition and different interpretation of the term «herbal medicinal product». A successful promotion of Russian medicines in the EEU market will require harmonisation of definitions and requirements used in the Russian legislation with those stipulated in the EEU regulations.

The production of scientific and technical products is one of the most promising areas in terms of implementation of automation systems. The information system «Document management of scientific and technical product deliveries» is a set of unique resources that provides each of the participants with the opportunity to operate a single database of electronic documents and data in accordance with their respective access rights. The aim of the study was to assess the experience of practical application of the automated information system «Document management of scientific and technical product deliveries» and its role in the optimisation of the organisation’s activities. The article discusses the main results of the information system application for data storage and data management enabling the marketing of scientific and technical products. The paper provides a general assessment of how the software product helps meet the requirements for monitoring the production timeframe, automate the drafting and approval of work-related and financial documentation. It describes the process of electronic document exchange using the capabilities of CALS/PLM technologies. The paper illustrates the need to use the automated document flow for production and marketing of samples of pathogenic microorganism strains, certified reference standards for commercial enterprises, non-periodical publications. It outlines the prospects for further optimisation of channels of communication with external customers, and electronic exchange of documents. The benefits from the use of this system help reduce the time spent by managers and employees on the compilation of packages of documents and on the preparation of applications — by automating routine manipulations in processing incoming information and documents received as annexes to applications and requests. This information system was analysed to illustrate the benefits of digital technologies.

The traditional gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) method using packed columns is still used in pharmaceutical analysis for determination of parabens, despite the fact that this technique has a number of serious drawbacks.

The aim of the study was to develop a more effective capillary GLC method for determination of parabens in active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished pharmaceutical products.

Materials and methods: the study was performed using Agilent 6890N and Agilent 7890B systems with flame-ionisation detectors. The systems were equipped with Agilent 7683B and Agilent G4513A autosamplers, respectively. The following columns were used in the study: ZB-1 15 m х 0.32 mm х 0.25 pm, DB-1 30 m х 0.32 mm х 3.0 pm, Cp-Sil 5-CB 30 m х 0.32 mm х 3.0 pm.

Results: the authors developed a method for methylparaben and propylparaben determination using capillary column GLC. The chromatographic parameters (chromatographic system performance, reproducibility of peak areas, peak asymmetry) were determined for both capillary and packed column GLC. The authors outlined the prospects for simultaneous determination of several compounds using the proposed method: a four-component mixture containing methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben was separated in 9 minutes. The authors used Loma Lux Psoriasis to perform partial validation of the test method. They determined the linearity range and the limit of quantitation for methylparaben and propylparaben, and verified accuracy and intermediate precision of the test method.

Conclusions: the results of the study allowed for selection of optimal chromatographic conditions for rapid and high-precision determination of methylparaben and propylparaben in medicinal products. The developed method is recommended for control of the content of these compounds in medicinal products.

An integral part of preclinical pharmacokinetic studies is the development of a bioanalytical method for determination of the drug in a biological fluid.

The aim of the research was to assess the suitability of the test system based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative determination of rituximab in the blood serum of laboratory animals after intravenous administration of rituximab at a dose corresponding to the therapeutic dose in humans. Th test system was developed by the Scientific and Production Center Probiotech.

Materials and methods: the determination of rituximab in biological samples was carried out using a two-stage sandwich-type ELISA, followed by detection based on horseradish peroxidase. The ELISA results were recorded using a microplate photometer at a wavelength of 450 nm.

Results: the experiments helped to establish the detection limit (0.24 ng/mL) and the lower limit of quantitation (1.00 ng/mL) of rituximab in rabbit blood serum, they also demonstrated high selectivity of analyte determination in a multicomponent biological matrix. The mean rituximab concentration was within 14 % of the nominal value in the entire working range of the method. The within-run and between-run precision of the assay did not exceed 7.4 %, the total error of the method did not exceed 20.1 %. The linearity of dilution makes it possible to use the assay for the analysis of biological samples with a wide range of rituximab concentrations. The stability of the analyte in the rabbit blood serum was confirmed by storing samples for 6 hours at room temperature, for 50 days at —35 °C, and after 3 freeze-thaw cycles. The validated immunoassay was successfully used to determine the rituximab concentration in biological samples obtained in the rituximab pharmacokinetic trial in rabbits. The accuracy of the results was confirmed for the entire range of the determined concentrations; parallelism was demonstrated between the calibration curve and the results of analysis of serially diluted rabbit serum samples with the maximum concentration of rituximab.

Conclusions: the proposed enzyme immunoassay test system can be used for quantitative determination of rituximab in the blood serum of laboratory animals, as it meets acceptance criteria for all validation parameters described in the international guidelines on validation of bioanalytical methods.