Public Assessment Report Scientific discussion Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Bluefish (losartan/hydrochlorothiazide) SE/H/780/01-02/DC This module reflects the scientific discussion for the approval of Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Bluefish. The procedure was finalised at 2010-03-18. For information on changes after this date please refer to the module Update. Postadress/Postal address: P.O. Box 26, SE-751 03 Uppsala, SWEDEN Besöksadress/Visiting address: Dag Hammarskjölds väg 42, Uppsala Telefon/Phone: +46 (0)18 17 46 00 Fax: +46 (0)18 54 85 66 Internet: www.mpa.se E-mail: registrator@mpa.se Template version: 2010-01-21
I. INTRODUCTION Bluefish Pharmaceuticals AB has applied for a marketing authorisation for Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide, film-coated tablets, 50 mg/12,5 mg and 100 mg/25 mg claiming essential similarity to Cozaar Comp, film-coated tablets, 50 mg/ 12,5 mg marketed in Sweden by Merck Sharp & Dohme AB. The product contains losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide as active substances. For approved indications see the Summary of Product Characteristics. The reference product used in the bio-equivalence study is Cozaar Plus, film-coated tablets marketed by Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited in United Kingdom. II. II.1 QUALITY ASPECTS Introduction Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Bluefish 50 mg/12.5 mg and 100 mg/25 mg is presented in the form of film-coated tablet, containing 50 mg and 100 mg losartan potassium as well as 12.5 and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The excipients used are of pharmaceutical grade. The tablets are packed in blister. II.2 Drug Substance The finished product contains losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide as drug substance There are monographs in the Ph Eur for each of the drug substance. Hydrochlorothiazide A certificate of suitability (CoS) has been provided for hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide is white or almost white crystalline odourless powder. It is very slightly soluble in water but soluble in acetone. A retest period of 4 years is stated in the CoS. Losartan potassium Losartan potassium (Form I) is the subject of an ASMF. Losartan potassium is white or almost white, crystalline powder. Freely soluble in water and in methanol, soluble in 2-propanol, slightly soluble in acetonitrile The structure of Losartan potassium has been adequately proven and its physico-chemical properties sufficiently described. Relevant information on polymorphism has been presented. The route of synthesis has been adequately described and satisfactory specifications have been provided for starting materials, intermediates, reagents and solvents. The active substance specification includes relevant tests and the limits for impurities/degradation products have been justified. The analytical methods applied are suitably described and validated. Stability studies under ICH conditions have been conducted and the data provided are sufficient to confirm the retest period of 3 years. II.3 Medicinal Product Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Bluefish 50 mg/12.5 mg and 100 mg/25 mg film-coated tablets is formulated using excipients described in the current Ph Eur. All raw materials used in the 2/5
product are of vegetable origin/has demonstrated compliance with Commission Directive 2003/63/EC and the NfG on Minimising the risk of transmitting Animal Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents via human and veterinary medicinal products (EMEA/410/01). The product development has taken into consideration the physico-chemical characteristics of the active substances, and physicochemical properties of the reference products. The manufacturing process has been sufficiently described and critical steps identified. Results from the process validation studies confirm that the process is under control and ensure both batch to batch reproducibility and compliance with the product specification. The tests and limits in the specification are considered appropriate to control the quality of the finished product in relation to its intended purpose. Stability studies under ICH conditions have been performed and data presented support the shelf life claimed in the SPC, with no special storage precautions. III. III.1 NON-CLINICAL ASPECTS Discussion on the non-clinical aspects Since this product has been shown to be essentially similar and refer to a product approved based on a full application with regard to preclinical data, no further such data have been submitted or are considered necessary. IV. IV.1 CLINICAL ASPECTS Pharmacokinetics One single-dose bioequivalence study with Losartan/Hydrochlorotiazide Bluefish 50 mg/12.5 mg and the reference product was included in the application. The study was conducted at Algorithme Pharma Inc. Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada between the 12 th and 28 th of August 2005. The study was a randomized, single-dose 2-period, 2-sequence, cross-over bioequivalence study under fasting conditions including 52 plus 4 alternate healthy male and female volunteers. Plasma samples were collected up to 36 h post-dose. Losartan, losartan carboxylic acid and hydrochlorothiazide in plasma was determined using a validated HPLC method with MS detection at Algorithme Pharma laboratory for bioanalysis, Quebec, Canada. C max, AUC 0-t and AUC 0-inf were within the pre-specified acceptance criteria of 80-125% for losartan, losartan carboxylic acid and hydrochlorothiazide. Bioequivalence has been demonstrated. 3/5
IV.2 Discussion on the clinical aspects Since this product has been shown to be essentially similar and refer to a product approved based on a full application with regard to clinical efficacy/safety data, no further such data have been submitted or are considered necessary. V. OVERALL CONCLUSION, BENEFIT/RISK ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATION User consultation A user consultation with target patient groups on the lay-out of the package information leaflet (PIL) has been performed on the basis of a bridging report making reference to Cozaar Comp/Cozaar Comp forte (NL/H/1458). The content of the PL:s are harmonised according to the referral texts for Cozaar Comp/Cozaar Comp forte. The exemption of performing a user test of the content is therefore justified. The bridging report submitted by the applicant has been found acceptable. The results of the conducted bioequivalence study can be extrapolated to other strengths since the criteria for biowaiver for additional strengths are fulfilled according to the Note for Guidance on the Investigation of Bioavailability and Bioequivalence. The risk/benefit ratio is considered positive and Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide, film-coated tablets, 50 mg/12,5 mg and 100 mg/25 mg is recommended for approval. VI. APPROVAL The Decentralised procedure for Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide, film-coated tablets, 50 mg/12,5 mg and 100 mg/25 mg was successfully finalised on 2010-03-18. 4/5
Public Assessment Report Update Scope Procedure number Product Information affected Date of start of the procedure Date of end of procedure Approval/ non approval Assessment report attached Y/N (version) Postadress/Postal address: P.O. Box 26, SE-751 03 Uppsala, SWEDEN Besöksadress/Visiting address: Dag Hammarskjölds väg 42, Uppsala Telefon/Phone: +46 (0)18 17 46 00 Fax: +46 (0)18 54 85 66 Internet: www.mpa.se E-mail: registrator@mpa.se Template version: 2010-01-21