‘Completely distributed’ refers to the distribution of the entire batch of the API by the API manufacturer to the next party in the supply chain. It should be noted that this applies to all parties that physically process or repackage the API [ICH Q7, Section 20 – see Glossary for definition of ‘manufacture’). The intent of ICH Q7 is to retain samples for the period of time that the API could be in the market in order to investigate any problems and/or product complaints. Based on accepted industry practice at the time ICH Q7 was written, it was not anticipated that a manufacturer would set a retest date longer than 3 years. It is a basic GMP principle that reserve samples be retained for the entire period the material is available on the market. For example, if a company sets a retest date of 5 years and the API is completely distributed immediately after manufacturing, it was never intended that the reserve sample be destroyed before the 5 year retest date was reached.
