ICH Guideline for Biopharmaceutics Classification System-Based Biowaiver (M9): Toward Harmonization in Latin American Countries

Abstract

The biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) is a very important tool to replace the traditional in vivo bioequivalence studies with in vitro dissolution assays during multisource product development. This paper compares the most recent harmonized guideline for biowaivers based on the biopharmaceutics classification system and the BCS regulatory guidelines in Latin America and analyzes the current BCS regulatory requirements and the perspective of the harmonization in the region to develop safe and effective multisource products. Differences and similarities between the official and publicly available BCS guidelines of several Latin American regulatory authorities and the new ICH harmonization guideline were identified and compared. Only Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina have a more comprehensive BCS guideline, which includes solubility, permeability, and dissolution requirements. Although their regulatory documents have many similarities with the ICH guidelines, there are still major differences in their interpretation and application. This situation is an obstacle to the successful development of safe and effective multisource products in the Latin American region, not only to improve their access to patients at a reasonable cost, but also to develop BCS biowaiver studies that fulfill the quality standards of regulators in developed and emerging markets.