Name of the Topic: Bioequivalence

Examination: 1st Continuous Assessment (1st CA)

Name: Suvojit Basak
Roll Number: 35601921045
Registration Number: 213560201910045
Semester: 6th
Year: 3rd
Subject: Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics
Paper Code: PT 616
Academic Session: 2023-2024

Global College of Pharmaceutical Technology

(A Unit of National Centre for Development of Technical Education)
INDEX:

Content Name Page no.

Introduction 3

Definition 4

Objective 4

Types of Bioequivalence study 5

• In Vivo studies 6
• In Vitro studies 7-8
Techniques used in Bioequivalence 8

Conclusion 9

Reference 10
INTRODUCTION:

• At the core of pharmaceutical science, the concept of bioequivalence serves as a cornerstone in the development and evaluation of drug
formulations. It encompasses a set of principles designed to guarantee that different versions of a medication, particularly generic and brand-
name formulations, exhibit comparable performance within the human body.

• A nuanced comprehension of bioequivalence is essential for researchers, healthcare professionals, and regulatory bodies. It enables them to
assess the interchangeability of drug products, ensuring consistent therapeutic outcomes for patients.

• Bioequivalence ensures that this process remains consistent across different formulations of the same drug.

• Bioequivalence studies are conducted to ascertain that when two drug formulations are considered bioequivalent, they produce comparable
levels of the active substance in the bloodstream. This equivalence extends to the therapeutic effects, enabling healthcare providers to
confidently prescribe interchangeable medications.

• Human physiology can exhibit variability in drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion. Bioequivalence studies take these variations into
account, providing a scientific framework to understand and control for these factors.
DEFINITION:
• Bioequivalence refers to the similarity in the bioavailability of two drug formulations, where they produce the same therapeutic effect to the
same extent and at the same rate when administered at the same dose under similar conditions.
• It refers to the drug substance in two or more identical dosage forms, reaches systemic circulation at the same rate and to the same relative
extent.
i.e. their plasma concentration-time profiles will be identical without significant statistical differences.

OBJECTIVES:
• If a new product is intended to be a substitute for an approved medicinal product as a pharmaceutical equivalent or alternative, the
equivalence with this product should be shown or justified.
• In order to ensure clinical performance of such drug products, bioequivalence studies should be performed.
• Bioequivalence studies are conducted if there is:
1. A risk of bio- inequivalence and/or
2. A risk of pharmacotherapeutic failure or diminished clinical safety.
TYPES OF BIOEQUIVALENCE STUDIES:
In Vivo studies
• In vivo studies involve comparing the pharmacokinetic
parameters of the test and reference products in humans.
• These studies assess the rate and extent of drug absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
• Pharmacokinetic parameters such as Cmax (Maximum Plasma
Concentration): The highest concentration of a drug in the blood
after administration.
• Tmax (Time to Reach Cmax): The time taken to reach the
maximum plasma concentration.
• And the AUC (Area Under the Curve): The area under the
plasma concentration-time curve, representing the total drug
exposure over time. are compared between the test and reference
products.
• These studies provide valuable information on the bioavailability
and bioequivalence of the test product compared to the reference
product.
In Vitro studies
• In vitro studies involve comparing the dissolution profiles of the
test and reference products.
• Dissolution is the process by which a drug is released from its
dosage form and becomes available for absorption.
• These studies measure the rate at which the drug is released from
the dosage form in simulated physiological conditions.
• The dissolution profiles of the test and reference products are
compared to ensure similarity.
• These studies provide information on the release characteristics
and dissolution behavior of the test product compared to the
reference product.
In Vivo studies:
Involve living organisms (human subjects) and cover a wide range of study types, including bioequivalence studies,
pharmacokinetic studies, and therapeutic equivalence studies.

The following sequence of criteria is useful in assessing the need for in vivo studies:

1. Oral immediate-release products with systemic action-

• Indicated for serious conditions requiring assured response.

• Narrow therapeutic margin.

• Pharmacokinetics complicated by absorption < 70% or absorption window, nonlinear kinetics, pre-systemic elimination > 70%.

• Unfavorable physiochemical properties, e.g. low solubility, metastable modification, instability, etc.

• Documented evidence for bioavailability problems.

• No relevant data available, unless justification by applicant that in vivo study is not necessary.

2. Non-oral immediate-release products.

3. Modified-release products with systemic action.

In vivo bioequivalence studies are conducted in the usual manner as discussed for bioavailability studies, i.e. the pharmacokinetic and the
pharmacodynamic methods.

1. Pharmacokinetic Methods-a) Plasma level-time studies b) Urinary Excretion studies

2. Pharmacodynamic Methods-a) Acute pharmacological response b) Therapeutic response

In Vitro studies:
Conducted outside living organisms and are specifically focused on assessing drug dissolution, as seen in dissolution testing.
Dissolution Testing: This technique involves assessing the rate and extent of drug release from its dosage form (e.g., tablet, capsule) in
simulated physiological conditions. The significance lies in predicting how the drug will dissolve and become available for absorption in the
body.
• If none of the above criteria is applicable, comparative in vitro dissolution studies will suffice.
• In vitro studies, i.e. dissolution studies can be used in lieu of in vivo bioequivalence under certain circumstances, called as
biowaivers(exemptions)-
1. The drug product differs only in strength of the active substance It contains, provided all the following conditions hold-
• Pharmacokinetics are linear.
• The qualitative composition is the same.
• The ratio between active substance and the excipients is the same, or (in the case of small strengths) the ratio between the excipients is the
same.
• Both products are produced by the same manufacturer at the same production site.
• A bioavailability or bioequivalence study has been performed with a original product.
• Under the same test conditions, the in vitro dissolution rate is the same.
2. The drug product has been slightly reformulated or the manufacturing method has been slightly modified by the original
manufacturer in ways that can convincingly be argued to be irrelevant for the bioavailability.
3. The drug product meets all of the following requirements –
• The product is in the form of solution or solubilized form (elixir, syrup, tincture, etc.).
• The product contains active ingredient in the same concentration as the approved drug product.
• The product contains no excipients known to significantly affect absorption of the active ingredient.
4. An acceptable IVIVC and the in vitro dissolution rate of the new product is equivalent with that of the already approved medicinal
product.
Moreover,
• The product is intended for topical administration(cream, ointment, gel, etc.) for local effect.
• The product is for oral administration but not intended to be absorbed (antacid or radio-opaque medium).

TECHNIQUES USED IN BIOEQUIVALENCE:

1. Sampling and Analytical Techniques:
1. Blood Sampling: Collection of blood samples at specific time points to measure drug concentrations.
2. Analytical Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or mass spectrometry are commonly used to quantify drug
concentrations in biological samples.
2. Statistical Analysis:
1. Statistical Tests: Commonly used statistical tests include the calculation of 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of means
(test/reference). If the interval falls within predefined bioequivalence limits (e.g., 80-125%), the formulations are considered
bioequivalent.
2. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance): Used to assess variability between subjects and treatments.
CONCLUSION:

1. Regulatory Compliance
Bioequivalence studies are crucial for demonstrating regulatory compliance, ensuring the safety and efficacy of generic drugs.
2. Future Research
Ongoing research in bioequivalence aims to enhance methodologies and provide further clarity on the interchangeability of
generic and brand-name drugs.
REFERENCES:

1. Brahmankar, D. M. & Jaiswal, S. B. (2021). Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics –A TREATISE. Vallabh Prakashan.
2. https://www.scribd.com/document/462993194/UNIT-2-ELIMINATION-and-BIOAVAILABILITY-BIOEQUIVALENCE-pdf#sidebar
3. https://www.slideshare.net/AlkaDiwakar1/bp604t-unit-2-notesdocx