ICH Q3D Implementation Working Group (IWG)—Training Modules

ICH Q3D is a complex guideline. The overall requirement in terms of control is clear—there are defined limits for some 24 elements, and levels of the elements described must be controlled within these limits in the final drug product. Simple. The complexity comes when defining how this is achieved. The guideline provides a series of options to evaluate risk and effect control, ranging from control in each individual component based on a fixed dose for the product of 10 g (Option 1) to simply testing the final product (Option 3). A detailed description of the options and when/how these are applied as part of a risk assessment is beyond the scope of this review; the point is that there are significant challenges in applying the guideline practically solely using the guideline for that purpose. This was recognized by the ICH Expert Working Group…