Global Acceptance Of Bioavailability & Bioequivalence Studies: Key Regulatory Requirements By Country

Bioavailability (BA) and bioequivalence (BE) studies ensure that generic drugs provide the same therapeutic effect as their branded equivalents. Regulatory authorities worldwide validate the safety and efficacy of generic medicines through these studies before allowing them into their markets. However, the acceptance of BA/BE studies varies from country to country, with different criteria for approving studies conducted in other regions.

This article analyzes global regulatory requirements for BA/BE studies across key regions like North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It analyzes how each region accepts BA/BE studies from other locations and outlines the specific criteria for acceptance.
Key countries and their acceptance of BA/BE studies
The following section highlights important countries with significant regulatory requirements for bioavailability (BA) and bioequivalence (BE) studies. For each country, it details the other countries that accept BA and BE studies and specifies the criteria for their acceptance.
Understanding these guidelines is essential for ensuring compliance with global pharmaceutical standards.
USA
- Studies must follow the FDA’s guidance for industry on bioavailability and bioequivalence studies.
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) must be followed.
- Study design must align with FDA standards for clinical trials (e.g., crossover studies, fasting/fed conditions).
- The population tested should be relevant to the US demographic or justified otherwise.
- Comprehensive data on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and bioequivalence (BE) should be submitted.
- The trial site should be inspected or accredited by recognized international bodies.
- FDA reserves the right to require a bridging study to confirm applicability to the US population.
- Data should be submitted in the same format required by the FDA, including all raw data, study design, and statistical analysis.
- The FDA reserves the right to inspect foreign study sites, ensuring compliance with safety, ethical, and procedural standards.
- Studies conducted in countries such as Canada, the EU, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Mexico, and India are usually accepted by the USA, provided that the above criteria are followed.
Canada
- Studies must comply with ICH guidelines on GCP.
- Clinical trial design must meet Health Canada standards (crossover design, multi-dose studies).
- The study population should be reflective of Canadian demographics or justified accordingly.
- Pharmacokinetic data, including Cmax and AUC (area under the curve), must meet local thresholds.
- The submission must include thorough documentation of the study methodology, ethical approvals, and compliance with local standards in the country where the study was conducted.
- Health Canada may require additional studies specific to the Canadian population, if necessary.
- The products tested must adhere to Health Canada’s GMP standards.
- Health Canada may require on-site audits of the study facilities in the foreign country.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, the EU, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Switzerland, and New Zealand are usually accepted by Health Canada, provided that the above criteria are followed.:
European Union (EU)
- Studies must adhere to ICH E6 GCP guidelines and the Guidelines on the Investigation of Bioequivalence by the EMA.
- The clinical trial population should be representative of European demographics or justified accordingly.
- The study must include data on pharmacokinetics, therapeutic equivalence, and safety.
- Studies should be conducted at accredited facilities, with inspections by recognized health authorities.
- The submission should include detailed reports on clinical trial design, statistical analyses, and study conduct.
- All studies must comply with the Clinical Trials Directive in the EU.
- In cases where the study population differs significantly from the EU population, additional data or local studies may be required.
- The drug tested in BA/BE studies must comply with the European Pharmacopoeia standards.
- All documents should be electronically submitted in the eCTD format.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Switzerland, and New Zealand are usually accepted by the EMA, provided that the above criteria are followed.
Australia
- BA/BE studies must adhere to ICH GCP and GLP standards.
- The study must use validated methods consistent with TGA’s specific requirements.
- The study population should be reflective of Australian demographics or justified with scientific reasoning.
- A full report on the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and bioequivalence of the drug must be included.
- The facilities conducting the trials should be internationally accredited.
- TGA may request additional studies if significant differences exist between populations.
- The study must be registered under the CTN scheme in Australia.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea are usually accepted by the TGA of Australia, provided that the above criteria are followed.
Japan
- Studies must follow ICH E6 GCP guidelines.
- The study population should have similar pharmacokinetic properties to the Japanese population.
- Full reports on clinical trial design, study population, and trial conduct must be submitted.
- The studies must demonstrate consistent therapeutic effects with consideration of Japanese genetic and dietary factors.
- The clinical trial data must meet rigorous Japanese safety, efficacy, and quality standards.
- PMDA may require a bridging study if significant differences in the population or study design exist.
- Manufacturing sites must follow Japan’s GMP standards for pharmaceuticals.
- Each study must have ethics committee approval from the originating country.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, and Australia are usually accepted by Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), provided that the above criteria are followed.
Thailand
- The studies must be conducted under ICH GCP and GLP guidelines.
- The clinical data must demonstrate therapeutic equivalence for a population similar to that of Thailand.
- The study methodology should comply with international standards, including crossover designs and appropriate sample sizes.
- Pharmacokinetic data must include relevant endpoints such as AUC, Cmax, and Tmax.
- The study facility must be accredited by recognized international bodies or the local regulatory authority.
- The studies must follow GCP standards as outlined by Thai regulations, ensuring ethical conduct and reliability of data.
- The methods used in BA/BE studies must be validated and accepted by the Thai FDA.
- Studies conducted in other countries must have corresponding ethics committee approval that aligns with Thai standards.
- Key documents and summaries should be translated into Thai for review by the Thai FDA.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, China, and Australia are usually accepted by the Thai FDA, provided that the above criteria are followed.
South Korea :
- Studies must adhere to ICH GCP guidelines.
- The population in the study should resemble the Korean demographic or provide justifications for its applicability.
- Full clinical trial reports must include pharmacokinetic data such as Cmax, Tmax, and AUC.
- Clinical sites conducting the trials must be internationally recognized.
- If the demographic significantly differs, additional studies may be required.
- The studies must comply with the MFDS’s regulations for bioavailability and bioequivalence testing.
- All study documents must be translated into Korean for submission to the MFDS.
- The drugs tested must comply with South Korean GMP regulations.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, and Australia are usually accepted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in South Korea, provided that the above criteria are followed.
Malaysia
- The studies must follow ICH GCP standards.
- The study population must be relevant to the Malaysian demographic or scientifically justified.
- Data on bioequivalence must include critical pharmacokinetic measures such as AUC and Cmax.
- Studies should be conducted at facilities accredited by international health organizations.
- NPRA reserves the right to request a local study if necessary.
- Data should be submitted in the Common Technical Document (CTD) format as required by the NPRA.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, Singapore, and Australia are usually accepted by Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), provided that the above criteria are followed.
Singapore
- The studies must comply with ICH GCP guidelines and local regulatory standards.
- The study population must apply to Singapore’s population or provide appropriate justification.
- Detailed reports of trial conduct, data analysis, and bioequivalence are required.
- The clinical trial site must have appropriate certifications and accreditations.
- HSA may request additional studies if discrepancies in the study data exist.
- All submissions should be in the electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) format.
- Relevant documents may need to be translated into English if not originally in that language
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Australia are usually accepted by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore, provided that the above criteria are followed.
India
- Studies must adhere to ICH GCP and CDSCO standards.
- The study population should reflect Indian demographic conditions or justify the use of foreign populations.
- The BA/BE study must include thorough pharmacokinetic data, including AUC, Cmax, and Tmax.
- The trial site must have regulatory approvals from recognized authorities.
- India may require bridging studies if the population or clinical environment differs significantly from local conditions.
- The study must have ethics committee approval from the originating country, adhering to Indian ethical standards.
- Compliance with local regulations and requirements for data submission.
- Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, and Australia are usually accepted by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), provided that the above criteria are followed.
Philippines
- Studies must comply with WHO guidelines on GCP.
- The clinical trial design should include relevant endpoints, such as Cmax, AUC, and Tmax, following international standards.
- The population studied should reflect Filipino demographics or provide valid scientific justification.
- The study site must have international certifications or approval from the Philippine FDA.
- The Philippines FDA reserves the right to request a local study if necessary.
- The study must have ethical approvals from appropriate bodies, in line with Philippine standards.
- Key documents may need to be translated into Filipino or English.
- The Philippines FDA usually accepts studies conducted in the USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia, provided that the criteria are met.
Note: The information provided above is for quick reference purposes only. The acceptance of studies, as outlined, depends on several criteria and may include specific requirements set by regulators. For instance, the EMA mandates that BE studies conducted in the USA use a Reference Listed Drug (RLD) from the EU. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please provide your requirements in the form below and connect with us.
Conclusion
In summary, BA/BE studies are integral to ensuring the safety and efficacy of generic drugs across the globe. While many countries accept BA/BE studies conducted abroad, each nation has specific regulatory criteria that must be followed.
Pharmaceutical companies looking to market their drugs in multiple countries must carefully navigate these regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance with local standards and submitting thorough, well-documented studies to meet acceptance criteria.
Do You Have Questions Regarding BA/BE Studies In The Above Countries?
If you have further questions about Bioavailability (BA) or Bioequivalence (BE) studies in the above countries, and their acceptance in these regions, our expert team is here to help. Contact one of our expert team members for the support you need to ensure compliance and successful acceptance of your studies in these key markets.