Assessing Filling Technologies For Contamination Risk

ABSTRACT

The authors compare four well-established aseptic filling technologies, open vial, ampul, blow-fill-seal (BFS) and
prefilled syringes, to the recently developed closed-vial technology with regards to the exposure risk from viable
particles from the air supply. Containers (e.g., vial, syringe barrel, or ampul), container closures (e.g., stoppers, or
plungers), and filling needles have all been taken into account and weighted by exposed surface and exposure time.
The study assumes that all of these technologies are normally operated under controlled environmental conditions
in accordance with worldwide GMP standards and with appropriate attention to generally accepted sterility
assurance guidelines, including use of an ISO 5 environment during the filling operation. The analysis showed that
two technologies, BFS and closed vial technology, significantly reduce the risk of contamination due to exposure to
the environment. The reduction factor for this risk can exceed 100 compared with open containers.

Please click on the following link for the full article.
Assessing Filling Technologies For Contamination Risk