Retrospective Quality by Design (rQbD) applied to the optimization of orodispersible films

The study demonstrates the application of QbD based on historical data for a product at a later development stage - retrospective QbD (rQbD). More specifically, it is investigated the root-cause for the observed slower drug release in Orodispersible Films (ODFs) during storage. Risk assessment tools were used to identify parameters affecting ODFs critical quality attributes, namely percent drug release and residual water content. The parameters room temperature, room relative humidity, drying temperature and mixing equipment were used in the statistical modeling of the available data. The estimated models were then used to define the feasible working region. Statistical modeling indicates that initial residual water content of the ODFs is mainly affected by 2nd order interactions of room temperature, room relative humidity and drying temperature, while the stability of drug release profile is mostly influenced by room temperature and an interaction between room relative humidity and drying temperature. Depending on the drying temperature employed the effect of room temperature and room relative humidity change significantly. This work shows that it is possible to apply rQbD to achieve a greater understanding of the manufacturing process of ODFs and to define a proper design space.