title: A Multi-laboratory in Vitro Study to Compare Data from Abbreviated and Pharmacopeial Impactor Measurements for Orally Inhaled Products: a Report of the European Aerosol Group (EPAG).
abstract: Fine particle dose (FPD) is a critical quality attribute for orally inhaled products (OIPs). The abbreviated impactor measurement (AIM) concept simplifies its measurement, provided there is a validated understanding of the relationship with the full resolution pharmacopoeial impactor (PIM) data for a given product. This multi-center study compared fine particle dose determined using AIM and PIM for five dry powder inhaler (DPIs) and two pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) products, one of which included a valved holding chamber (VHC). Reference measurements of FPDPIMwere made by each organization using either the full-resolution Andersen 8-stage non-viable impactor (ACI) or Next Generation Impactor (NGI). FPDAIMwas determined for the same OIP(s) with their choice of abbreviated impactor (fast screening impactor (FSI), fast screening Andersen (FSA), or reduced NGI (rNGI)). Each organization used its validated assay method(s) for the active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) (APIs) involved. Ten replicate measurements were made by each procedure. The upper size limit for FPDAIMvaried from 4.4 to 5.0 μm aerodynamic diameter, depending upon flow rate and AIM apparatus; the corresponding size limit for FPDPIMwas fixed at 5 μm in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia. The 90% confidence interval for the ratio [FPDAIM/FPDPIM], expressed as a percentage, was contained in the predetermined 85-118% acceptance interval for nine of the ten comparisons of FPD. The average value of this ratio was 105% across all OIPs and apparatuses. The findings from this investigation support the equivalence of AIM and PIM for determination of FPD across a wide range of OIP platforms and measurement techniques.
authors.affiliation: OINDP Consultant, Rugby, Warwickshire, UK.
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.affiliation: Jolyon Mitchell Inhaler Consulting Services Inc., 1154 St. Anthony Road, London, Ontario, Canada, N6H 2R1. mitchelljolyon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jolyon P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: S5 Consulting, Ekvägen 8, Blentarp, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sandell
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Patrik U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.affiliation: SkyePharma, Muttenz, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: SkyePharma, Muttenz, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howald
authors.affiliation: Zentiva Inhalationprodukte, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pengilley
authors.affiliation: Sofotec GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krüger
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D058995:Dry Powder Inhalers / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D008422:Materials Testing; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D010316:Particle Size; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols
keywords: abbreviated impactor; aerosol measurement; cascade impactor; fine particle dose; inhaler