Introducing the Quality Target Administration (QTAP) Profile for Enteral Feeding Tube Medications

Background/Objectives: The administration of medicines via enteral feeding tubes presents unique challenges, including dose loss, tube blockage, and user-dependent variability. Although Quality by Design (QbD) frameworks provide a structured approach to product quality, administration-related quality attributes are rarely assessed in a systematic manner during pharmaceutical development. A conceptual framework, termed the Quality Target Administration Profile (QTAP), was developed to extend QbD principles to the administration stage. Methods: The framework comprises three phases: administration context characterization, administration attribute identification, and risk-based determination of Critical Administration Attributes (CAAs). QTAP was applied to three representative EFT administration scenarios: a ready-to-use oral suspension, a crushed tablet, and an oral solution. Results: Application of the framework identified 18-32 administration attributes across the three representative scenarios and prioritized 5-6 CAAs per scenario according to clinical impact, variability risk, and human-factor considerations. Administration quality requirements varied across scenarios, reflecting differences in administration context, including dosage form, patient population, clinical setting, and user characteristics. QTAP provides a structured approach for identifying and prioritizing administration-related quality considerations within pharmaceutical development. Conclusions: As a conceptual framework, QTAP is intended to complement rather than replace existing QbD approaches. Future prospective validation, including human-factor studies and real-world evaluations, is needed to establish its practical utility and predictive value.