Validation of Pharmaceutical Water Systems

Thorough and proper validation of pharmaceutical water systems is highly essential for ensuring that the pharmaceutical unit uses the right quality of water. This is very important, because water is not only the source of life for humans; it enjoys the same importance in pharmaceuticals.

A very important reason for which validation of pharmaceutical water systems is necessary is that water is not only the most widely used raw material or substance in pharmaceuticals; it is also put to a number of uses in the pharmaceutical industry, such as Quality Control, process, production and formulation. Further, water comes with its own set of unique chemical properties that are obtained because of the hydrogen bonds present in it and its polarity. This makes water versatile, since it allows the dissolution, absorption, adsorption or suspension of various different compounds.

Process for pharmaceutical water systems validation

Validation of pharmaceutical water systems is carried out in three phases:

Phase I, which is the investigational phase

Phase II, the short term control phase, and

Phase III, which is the long-term control phase

Pharmaceutical water systems are validated through these three steps or stages to demonstrate and ensure that the facility using pharmaceutical water systems has water under its control and is on the right track for production of the right quality and quantity of water in the short, medium and long terms.

Validation through commissioning and qualification

Pharmaceutical water systems validation is carried out through two important steps, namely commissioning and qualification. Commissioning is about putting the validation of pharmaceutical water systems through the required phases using the prerequisite methods of documentation. This documentation is a core part of pharmaceutical water systems validation because it allows for different personnel in the organization to not only keep track of the processes involved, but also make changes when necessary.

Qualification as part of pharmaceutical water systems validation

Qualification is the next important stage of pharmaceutical water systems validation. Here, before a pharmaceutical water systems validation process is started, the pharmaceutical facility should implement the following important steps:

• Design qualification (DQ)
• Installation qualification (IQ) and
• Operational qualification (OQ)

Phase I:

In Phase I, the pharmaceuticals facility samples and tests water sampling for anywhere between two and four weeks for monitoring the water system. If the water system is free of failure during this phase, it is considered a successful phase of pharmaceutical water systems validation.

Phase II:

In this phase of pharmaceutical water systems validation too, the water system sample is tested intensively for two to four weeks, during which the water sample should show that it is producing the right quantity of water under conditions of stated SOP.

Phase III:

Phase III of pharmaceutical water systems validation is the longest and most arduous period, running to one year after completion of Phase I and Phase II. When the water sample passes through this phase, it is said to have completed the process of pharmaceutical water systems validation and is considered fit for pharmaceutical use.

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