A feasibility study on re-establishing the Bioavailability/Bioequivalence unit of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine-University of the Philippines Manila
https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/6685/4447
- Author:
Leonila A. Estole-Casanova
1
,
2
;
Essel N. Tolosa
2
;
Loida B. Pacaro
3
;
Cecilia A. Jimeno
1
;
Maria Stephanie Fay S. Cagayan
1
,
2
;
Ailyn M. Yabes
1
,
2
;
Noel S. Quiming
4
;
Lynn Crisanta R. Panganiban
1
Author Information
1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila
2. Institute of Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
3. Bioavailability/Bioequivalence Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila
4. Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Feasibility Studies;
Therapeutic Equivalency;
Drugs, Generic
- From:
Acta Medica Philippina
2024;58(4):26-39
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:The Bioavailability/Bioequivalence Unit (BA/BE Unit) of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila which has not been operational since 2012, is due for renewal of its accreditation. To date, there are only three Philippine Food and Drug Administration-accredited laboratories that perform bioequivalence studies in the Philippines. One of the prerequisites of registering specific generic medicines is the conduct of Bioequivalence (BE) studies which are performed to ensure that the generic drug is at par with the innovator drug. Thus, this study aimed to determine the feasibility of re-establishing the BA/BE Unit as a bioequivalence testing center.
Methods:The feasibility study done is a qualitative descriptive analysis based on expansive literature review and
performance of SWOT analysis within the BA/BE unit. Literatures were selected based on its assessed relevance to the study. The databases checked were PubMed and Google Scholar. The terms used were from the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) including feasibility studies, therapeutic equivalency, and generic drugs. Literature review was performed on the factors affecting the four types of feasibility studies (market, technical, financial, and organizational). A SWOT analysis of the BA/BE Unit was done through the review of records and documents of previous BE studies and focus group discussion among the BA/BE Unit team members.
Results:The BA/BE Unit conducted 24 bioequivalence studies from 2006-2009 and still receives inquiries from
drug companies. It implements its QMS throughout the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical stages of the workflow. Its organizational structure consists of qualified professionals with updated GCP and GLP certificates. Because of the adequately equipped facility, lower honoraria for government-employed personnel, and lower expenses for laboratories and in-patient admissions, the cost of conducting a bioequivalence study in the BA/BE Unit will be lower than in other BE centers.
Conclusion:Based on the SWOT analysis and market, technical, financial, and organizational considerations, reestablishing the BA/BE Unit as a bioequivalence testing center is feasible.
- Full text:6685-Article Text-101485-2-10-20240313.pdf
