Mallikaarjunan Rajendran, Mohammed Yaseen, and Prasana Santhuru

Image credit: Mike Mareen | stock.adobe.com

The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by a multitude of products with varying complexities and properties, each designed to improve human health and well-being. However, amidst this diversity, there has been a need for a standardized approach to identifying and documenting medicinal products across the globe. This imperative has led to the development of a shared framework by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) known as the Identification of Medicinal Product (IDMP).

This global standard strives to establish a common language for identifying, documenting, and exchanging information about medicinal products. By doing so, it not only elevates patient safety but also streamlines regulatory processes, thereby addressing a crucial need in the pharmaceutical landscape.

The IDMP framework comprises five distinct standards, each catering to different aspects of medicinal product identification and documentation:

Pharmaceutical Product Identifier (PhPID)

IMDP standards lay the foundation for a cohesive and harmonized approach to the description of medicinal products.

Together, these standards lay the foundation for a cohesive and harmonized approach to the description of medicinal products, from their constituents and properties to their manufacturing and regulatory particulars.

IDMP's impact on Regulatory Affairs is considerable. By promoting the use of a standardized terminology and coding system, IDMP eliminates inconsistencies in regulatory processes. The implementation of IDMP has several benefits for Regulatory Affairs including:

. IDMP helps to ensure that all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors and regulatory authorities use the same terminology and coding system which helps to prevent inconsistence in regulatory process.

. With IDMP, each medicinal product is assigned a unique identifier, which makes it easier to track the product throughout its lifecycle from development to post-marketing surveillance.

. IDMP enables regulatory authorities to access information about medicinal products more quickly and easily which can speed the approval process and reduce the time to commercialize.

: Unique identification of medicinal products helps in drastically improving pharmacovigilance. Harmonized definition of products also improves the quality of data sets used in safety signals, globally.

: IDMP's standardized data sets simplify the evaluation of medicines during clinical trials. Investigators can make more informed assessments, leading to improved understanding of drug effects and better decision-making.

: Manufacturing site inspections are streamlined with IDMP, as accessible and standardized data are presented in a defined format. This enhances transparency and efficiency in manufacturing processes.

Revised IDMP Standards to Improve Description of Medicinal Products Worldwide

The ongoing revision of IDMP standards holds great promise for patients and the healthcare community. The updated standards will foster smoother information exchange between stakeholders and promote system interoperability within the medical field. By simplifying and unifying the exchange of information, these revisions are poised to revolutionize the way medicinal products are described and documented worldwide.

Key Aspects Covered by ISO IDMP Standards

ISO IDMP standards include a comprehensive array of aspects crucial for describing a medicinal product, like:

Pharmaceutical product (route of administration, strength)

The European Union's Extended EudraVigilance Medicinal Product Dictionary (xEVMPD) and IDMP share the common goal of enhancing drug safety and regulatory processes; however, they diverge in several key aspects:

Extended EudraVigilance Medicinal Product Dictionary and IDMP

IDMP Implementation in the European Medicines Agency

The EMA has mandated the implementation of IDMP within the EU, with a gradual phased approach. The United States, Canada, and Japan are also contemplating the adoption of IDMP as a global standard.

The first phase requires pharmaceutical companies to submit data on the identification of medicinal products, including information on organization and referential, product and substance information need to be mandatory in upcoming days.

The subsequent phases of IDMP implementation, which will cover the referential and regulatory activity domains, are expected to be implemented in the upcoming days, the specific timelines are yet to be confirmed by the EMA.

The publication of the EU Implementation Guidelines v2 in February 2021 started the two-year implementation window. The EU IDMP Implementation Guide (EU IG) for the submission of data on medicinal products defines the implementation requirements of the ISO IDMP standards for the EU. The EU IG is the basis for submitting and exchanging medicinal product data in the EU.

The updated Chapter 7 of the EU IDMP Implementation Guide (EU IG), released on the EMA website on January 18, 2023, provides information on the approach followed by the EMA to enable transformation, migration and availability of authorized product data to the PMS database.

Although a precise date for full IDMP implementation has not been announced yet by the EMA, it is noteworthy that the data migration process into the PMS software has been initiated, signifying a step forward in this crucial journey.

IDMP implementation has encountered delays due to various factors:

 IDMP implementation involves significant changes in data management systems and processes across the pharmaceutical industry. It requires coordination and collaboration between regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders. The complexity of implementing such a comprehensive system can contribute to delays.

 Implementing IDMP standards involves harmonizing and standardizing data across different databases and systems. This can be technically challenging, particularly for organizations with legacy systems or diverse data structures. Overcoming these technical challenges and ensuring interoperability can take time.

 Different regulatory authorities may have varying timelines and approaches to implementing IDMP standards. Achieving alignment and consensus among these authorities can be a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, individual organizations may require time to align their internal processes and systems with the new requirements.

 Implementing IDMP requires a significant investment of resources, including financial resources, skilled personnel, and technology infrastructure. Organizations may face resource constraints, which can slow down the implementation process.

 Regulatory authorities may have multiple priorities and initiatives that compete for attention and resources. IDMP implementation might be deprioritized or delayed due to other pressing regulatory concerns.

The transformative impact of the IDMP standard necessitates comprehensive change as an integrated process. These demand an understanding of regulations, recognizing process impacts, formulating remediation plans, and fostering a strategic vision. 

Evaluating improvements in data, systems, and processes is crucial, followed by a well-defined implementation strategy. This strategy should be based on the overarching vision as the compass that guides successful navigation towards a standardized, safer, and more efficient future.

 VP, Regulatory Services, Navitas Life Sciences,  has been in regulatory affairs/operations for 18+ years. His position and training in this field put him at the nexus of product lifelines dealing with end-to-end regulatory services (drug development, clinical studies, and post-marketing considerations). Malli currently manages the regulatory services group at Navitas Life Sciences and brings deep experience relating to developing strategies, continuous improvements, and resource plans.

 senior regulatory associate, regulatory operations, Navitas Life Sciences, has a post-graduate degree in Pharmacy (M.Pharmacy). He has over eight years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry (In Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance).

, team lead, regulatory operations, Navitas Life Sciences,  has a master’s degree in pharmacy. He is a regulatory affair professional with eight-plus years of experience in dossier compilation, review, of Initial product registration and post approval submissions with global regulatory authorities.

Identification of Medicinal Products (IDMP) | FDA

What is Identification of Medicinal Products (IDMP)?, IDMP standards, medicinal products (freyrsolutions.com)

Data on medicines (ISO IDMP standards): research and development | European Medicines Agency (europa.eu)

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/regulatory-procedural-guideline/products-management-services-implementation-international-organization-standardization-iso-standards_en.pdf

https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/article/144651/emas-new-guide-to-implementing-idmp-data-standards-triggers-the-countdown-to-change/

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/regulatory-procedural-guideline/products-management-services-pms-implementation-international-organization-standardization-iso_en-0.pdf

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-overview

“IDMP: A new era of global product identification” this article was published on EMA website provides and overview of IDMP and its importance in ensuring the safe use of medicinal products.

“IDMP Implementation: A global view” This article published in the journal drug information association, discusses the challenges and benefits of implementing IDMP globally.

“IDMP: A regulatory challenge for the pharmaceutical industry” – This article published in the journal of pharmaceutical Technology Europe, explores the impact of IDMP.

“IDMP Implementation: A practical approach” – This article published in the journal regulatory focus, offer a practical guide to implementing IDMP, including the tips of managing data and ensuring compliance.

“IDMP and Pharmacovigilance: The need for Harmonization” – This article published in the journal Drug Safety, discusses the role of IDMP in PV.

Articles

The Identification of Medicinal Product framework seeks to establish a common language for identifying, documenting, and exchanging information about medicinal products.