Learn how to write a pharmaceutical SOP for Dossier Preparation, outlining CTD/eCTD/ACTD compilation, review, approval, and submission steps to ensure regulatory compliance in local and international markets.
1. PURPOSE
To describe a standardized procedure for the preparation, compilation, review, approval, and submission of pharmaceutical product dossiers to ensure regulatory compliance for product registration in national and international markets.
2. SCOPE
This SOP is applicable to all activities related to dossier compilation and submission for finished pharmaceutical products (FPP) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), including:
–New product registration
–Re-registration/Renewal
–Post-approval variations
–Technology transfer dossiers
–Export market submissions
This SOP is applicable to the Regulatory Affairs (RA) Department, and involves support from QC, QA,Production, R&D, Packaging, and other relevant departments.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
| Department | Responsibilities |
| Regulatory Affairs (RA) | Initiate dossier preparation, collect documents, compile, format, review, finalize and submit dossier to authority. |
| Quality Assurance (QA) | Provide GMP documents, approve final dossier for compliance. |
| Quality Control (QC) | Provide specifications, COAs, analytical methods, validations, and stability data. |
| R&D / F&D | Provide formulation details, development reports, manufacturing process, and R&D data. |
| Production | Provide Master Formula Record (MFR), BMR/BPR, process validation, and scale-up data. |
| Packaging Development | Provide artworks, packaging specifications, and coding details. |
| Marketing/Export | Provide country-specific regulatory requirements and market details. |
4. ACCOUNTABILITY
4.1 Head of Regulatory Affairs is accountable for ensuring compliance, completeness, integrity, and timely submission.
4.2 Quality Assurance Head is accountable for final approval before submission.
5. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS / REFERENCES
5.1 ICH Guidelines (ICH M4, Q1–Q10)
5.2 WHO TRS and WHO ACTD Guidelines
5.3 EMA / US-FDA / MHRA / ASEAN / GCC / CDSCO / Local DRA guidelines
5.4 GMP Guidelines (WHO, EU, or country-specific)
5.5 Internal SOPs (Document Control, Change Control, Data Integrity, Validation SOP, Stability SOP, etc.)
6. PRECAUTIONS
6.1 Ensure document version control before compilation.
6.2 Ensure data integrity (ALCOA+ principles).
6.3 Use only approved, signed, and current documents.
6.4 Maintain strict confidentiality of product data.
6.5 Follow the authority’s checklist and latest regulatory format.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1 Initiation
7.1.1 Receive registration requirements, business intent, or project initiation request from RA/Marketing/Export Department.
7.1.2 Identify the applicable dossier format based on target market regulatory guidelines (CTD/eCTD/ACTD or country-specific).
7.1.3 Develop a preliminary submission timeline and share with concerned departments.
7.2 Data Collection
7.2.1 RA shall issue the Dossier Requirements Checklist to all relevant departments (Annex-1 & Annex-3).
7.2.2 Collect data and documents corresponding to Module 1–5 (for CTD) or Part 1–4 (ACTD), including but not limited to:
– Administrative and product information
– Quality data (CMC)
– Non-clinical data (if applicable)
– Clinical/BE data (if applicable)
7.2.3 Follow up with departments to ensure timely submission of required documents.
7.2.4 Track collection status in the Dossier Status Tracker (Annex-4).
7.3 Compilation & Formatting
7.3.1 RA shall compile the documents using the latest approved authority template:
– CTD (Modules M4Q, M4S, M4P)
– ACTD (Part I–IV)
– Country-specific format (if applicable)
7.3.2 Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements including structure, section numbering, coding, hyperlinking, pagination, and bookmarks (for eCTD).
7.3.3 Ensure all documents used are controlled copies and version-approved.
7.4 Internal Review
7.4.1 Cross-check all document components for completeness, technical accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
7.4.2 Conduct internal review meetings if required, involving QA, QC, Production, R&D, and Packaging departments.
7.4.3 QA shall perform final document verification and compliance review.
7.4.4 RA incorporates corrections and performs final reconciliation.
7.5 Approval & Finalization
7.5.1 Obtain final approval and signatures according to the document approval matrix.
7.5.2 Freeze the approved dossier version and secure the master copy (soft and/or hard).
7.5.3 Archive dossier files as per document control procedures.
7.6 Submission
7.6.1 Submit the dossier to the Regulatory Authority (RA) in the required format (hard copy, soft copy, or eCTD gateway).
7.6.2 Maintain submission records, acknowledgment, and proof of delivery.
7.6.3 Update submission status in the Dossier Status Tracker.
7.7 Post-Submission Follow-Up
7.7.1 Monitor the review progress and authority communication.
7.7.2 Respond to regulatory queries within stipulated timelines in coordination with relevant departments.
7.7.3 Maintain lifecycle management, including variations, renewals, and updates.
7.7.4 Archive all responses, approvals, and related correspondence for future reference.
8. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
8.1 SOP – Standard Operation Procedure
8.2 R&D – Research and Development
8.3 CTD – Common Technical Document
8.4 eCTD – Electronic Common Technical Document
8.5 ACTD – ASEAN Common Technical Dossier
8.6 RA – Regulatory Affairs
8.7 QA – Quality Assurance
8.8 QC – Quality Control
8.9 DRA – Drug Regulatory Authority
8.10 CMC – Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls
8.11 GMP – Good Manufacturing Practices
9. ANNEXES
9.1 Annex-1: Dossier Checklist (CTD/ACTD)
PART 1 – ADMINISTRATIVE & PRODUCT INFORMATION
| Section | Document / Requirement | Available (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| 1.1 | Application Form | ||
| 1.2 | Product Information (Label Claim, Dosage Form, Strength) | ||
| 1.3 | Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP), if applicable | ||
| 1.4 | Manufacturing & Marketing Authorization (Home Country) | ||
| 1.5 | Manufacturing License / GMP Certificate | ||
| 1.6 | Site Master File (SMF) Summary | ||
| 1.7 | Label, Packaging & Artwork | ||
| 1.8 | Product Information Insert / Leaflet (PIL) | ||
| 1.9 | Product Samples (if required) | ||
| 1.10 | Fee Receipt / Bank Challan | ||
| 1.11 | Country-Specific Administrative Documents (Power of Attorney, LOA, FSC, etc.) |
PART 2 — QUALITY OVERALL SUMMARY (QOS)
| Section | Document / Requirement | Available (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| 2.1 | Introduction & Overview | ||
| 2.2 | Quality Overall Summary (Drug Substance & Drug Product) |
PART 3 — QUALITY (CMC)
| 3.1 DRUG SUBSTANCE (API) | |||
| Section | Document / Requirement | Available (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| 3.1.1 | API Information (Name, Structure, Properties) | ||
| 3.1.2 | DMF / CEP / EDMF / Open Part | ||
| 3.1.3 | Manufacturing Process of API | ||
| 3.1.4 | API Specifications | ||
| 3.1.5 | Analytical Methods & Validation | ||
| 3.1.6 | Impurity Profile & Justification | ||
| 3.1.7 | API Certificate of Analysis (CoA) | ||
| 3.1.8 | Stability Data (API) | ||
| 3.2 DRUG PRODUCT (FPP) | |||
| Section | Document / Requirement | Available (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| 3.2.1 | Product Description & Composition | ||
| 3.2.2 | Pharmaceutical Development (QbD / F&D Report) | ||
| 3.2.3 | Manufacturing Process & Flow Chart | ||
| 3.2.4 | Master Formula Record (MFR) & BMR Summary | ||
| 3.2.5 | Process Validation / Hold Time Validation | ||
| 3.2.6 | Excipients Information & Specifications | ||
| 3.2.7 | Finished Product Specifications | ||
| 3.2.8 | Analytical Methods & Method Validation | ||
| 3.2.9 | Batch Analysis Reports | ||
| 3.2.10 | Container Closure System & Packaging Validation | ||
| 3.2.11 | Stability Study (Accelerated & Long-Term) | ||
| 3.2.12 | Justification of Specifications | ||
PART 4 — NON-CLINICAL (If Applicable)
| Section | Document / Requirement | Available (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| 4.1 | Pharmacology | ||
| 4.2 | Toxicology | ||
| 4.3 | Bibliographic Data (if permitted) |
PART 5 — CLINICAL (If Applicable)
| Section | Document / Requirement | Available (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| 5.1 | Clinical Overview | ||
| 5.2 | Clinical Pharmacology | ||
| 5.3 | Clinical Efficacy & Safety | ||
| 5.4 | Bioequivalence (BE) Study Report | ||
| 5.5 | Summary Tables & Literature Support |
9.2 Annex-2: Dossier Submission Flow Chart
Project Initiation (Marketing / RA)
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Identify Country Requirements / Dossier Format (CTD / ACTD / eCTD / Local)
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Prepare Dossier Checklist (Annex-1) and Issue Document Request (Annex-3)
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Data Collection from Departments (QA / QC / R&D / Production / Packaging / Others)
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Compilation & Formatting by RA (Module 1–5 / Part 1–4)
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Internal Review (Cross-Check Consistency, GMP, Stability, Specs, Labels)
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QA Review & RA Finalization
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Approval (Head of RA / QA / Management as per matrix)
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Submission to Regulatory Authority (Hard Copy / Soft Copy / eCTD Gateway)
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Acknowledgment & Tracking (Annex-4)
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Query Response (If Any) by RA with Concerned Departments
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Dossier Acceptance / Product Registration / Marketing Authorization
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Archive, Lifecycle Management & Renewal Tracking
9.3 Annex-3: Dossier Document Request Form
| Section | Document Name | Responsible Department | Requested Date | Target Submission Date | Received (Yes/No) | Remarks |
| Module 1 | Administrative Documents | RA / Management | ||||
| Module 2 | QOS | RA | ||||
| 3.1 | API Related Docs | QC / Purchase / Supplier | ||||
| 3.2 | FPP Docs (Validation, MFR, Stability, CoA, Specs, etc.) | QA / QC / Production / R&D | ||||
| Module 4 | Non-clinical Data | R&D / Literature | ||||
| Module 5 | Clinical / BE Study Data | RA / CRO |
Issued By (RA): ___________________ Date: __________
Received By (Dept Head): ___________________ Date: __________
9.4 Annex-4: Dossier Status Tracker Format
| Product Name | Country / Authority | Format (CTD / ACTD / eCTD) | Submission Date | Current Status | Query Status / Round | Next Deadline / Target | Registration Outcome | Remarks |
| Submitted / Under Review / Query / Approved / Rejected |
STATUS LEGEND (for “Current Status” Column)
| Status | Meaning |
| Drafting | RA preparing dossier before internal review |
| Internal Review | QA / Dept review ongoing |
| Submitted | Dossier submitted to DRA |
| Under Review | Authority reviewing dossier |
| Query | Query issued by authority (response in progress) |
| Approved | Marketing Authorization received |
| Rejected | Registration failed / Re-submission needed |
10. REVISION HISTORY
| Version | Date | Description of Change | Reviewed By | Approved By |
| 1.0 |
Abdus Sobhan Salim is professional experienced pharmacist in pharmaceuticals, author and founder of pharmabossbd.com, the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical blogger since 2019.
