Comparative Study on the Regulations about In-Use Stability, and Analysis the In-Use Stability Application on Approved Syrups - Focused on the Guidelines in US, Europe and Korea -

Syrup agents are often used after opening, and therefore, there is a high possibility of decreased quality. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published guideline on stability testing for pharmaceuticals after opening in December, 2016. We compared guidelines related to the period of use after opening between the United States of America (USA), Europe (EU), and Korea, and we analyzed whether the period of use or storage conditions is stated based on the data of drug approval for 4 dry syrups and 3 large packing syrups before and after the introduction of the guideline. First, in USA and EU, the period of use and storage conditions after opening should be listed on the label on the packaging container (as well as the expiration date), while in Korea, those are included in the area of precautions for use. Second, all of the analyzed drugs were not changed by the guidelines for establishing the new post-opening period of use, and they were only presented for the existing expiration date prior to the establishment of the guideline. Medicines that are used for multiple uses after opening may need improved instructions to ensure that the period of use and storage conditions are listed on the packaging according to stability evaluation after opening.