BCSClassifier
BCS
BCS Classifier — Biopharmaceutics Classification System assessment (ICH M9)
ℹ️ The utility determines BCS class based on dose, solubility, and permeability.
ℹ️ Does not use machine learning — rule-based logic only.
⚠️ High solubility: dose dissolves in ≤250 mL of water.
Usage:
BCSClassifier.exe → demo mode (console output)
BCSClassifier.exe input.csv output.json → evaluate your data
Input format:
DoseMg,SolubilityMgPerMl,Permeability
Example:
50,10.0,High
200,0.5,Low
— WHY IS THIS NEEDED?
BCS classification supports biowaiver justification for generic drug registration:
• Class I — high chance of biowaiver approval,
• Class II/IV — full BE study required,
• Class III — biowaiver possible with very rapid dissolution.
Compliance with ICH M9 and Ph. Eur. is mandatory for generic submissions.
input.csv
DoseMg,SolubilityMgPerMl,Permeability 50,10.0,High 200,0.5,Low 100,2.0,High 300,0.3,Low
URS & FS — user requirements and functional specification
This document defines user requirements and functional specification for the quality-control utility. It supports deployment discussion, IQ/OQ preparation and QC workflow integration.
1. Scope
The BCS Classifier utility is used for BCS. The actual input.csv is the source of truth for the input structure; control criteria are defined by the executable and the domain description.
The utility does not use machine learning; decisions are produced by deterministic rules.
Categories: EAEU pharmacopoeia
Tags: dissolution, EAEU, impurities, microbiology, pharmacopoeia, specification, water quality
2. Execution modes
BCSClassifier.exe → demo mode (console output) BCSClassifier.exe input.csv output.json → evaluate your data
3. Key controlled areas
- dissolution / disintegration
- pH and physicochemical parameters
4. Domain limits and critical parameters
- ⚠️ High solubility: dose dissolves in ≤250 mL of water.
5. URS — user requirements
| ID | Requirement | Criticality | Acceptance criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| URS-001 | The system shall accept an input.csv file for BCS with the exact columns listed in the “Input data contract” section. | High | A file with the correct header is processed without manual editing; missing mandatory columns produce FAIL/import error. |
| URS-002 | The system shall support execution without arguments in demo mode and execution with input.csv output.json for user data. | Medium | Both execution scenarios produce a predictable result or clear diagnostic error. |
| URS-003 | The system shall perform rule-based controls for: dissolution / disintegration, pH and physicochemical parameters. | High | Each controlled parameter receives a status and message; the result does not depend on hidden Excel formulas or ML. |
| URS-004 | The system shall preserve traceability between batch/lot, source values, applied rules and final verdict. | High | Output includes batch identifier, source values, parameter statuses and critical findings. |
| URS-005 | The system shall generate machine-readable output.json for LIMS/ELN/MES, batch record and QA/QC review. | High | JSON contains overall status, check array, warnings, failures and source-file reference. |
| URS-006 | The system shall support use in the client validation package: URS/FS, IQ/OQ preparation, installation and operational scenario checks. | High | The document, test scenarios and reproducible CSV/JSON flow are suitable for audit and internal approval. |
| URS-007 | The system shall clearly separate technical data errors from specification nonconformities. | Medium | Schema/type errors are not mixed with pharmacopoeial deviations and are reported separately. |
6. input.csv data contract
The source of truth for the input schema is the actual input.csv header. Column names are technical identifiers and are not translated.
| # | Column | Type | Unit | Description | Sample | Control rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DoseMg | decimal | as specified | Dose Mg | 50 | mandatory numeric value; rule comparison is performed by the utility |
| 2 | SolubilityMgPerMl | decimal | mg/ml | Solubility Mg per Ml | 10.0 | mandatory numeric value; rule comparison is performed by the utility |
| 3 | Permeability | text | as specified | Permeability | High | mandatory value; format and acceptability are checked by the utility |
CSV example
DoseMg,SolubilityMgPerMl,Permeability 50,10.0,High
7. FS — functional specification
| ID | Function | Implementation description |
|---|---|---|
| FS-001 | CLI entry point | The executable BCSClassifier.exe supports demo mode and input.csv output.json processing mode. |
| FS-002 | CSV parser | The import module reads CSV, validates header, column presence/order, value count and encoding. Decimal values are expected with a dot separator. |
| FS-003 | Field conversion | Each column is converted to the expected type: identifier, text, decimal number, date/time or boolean flag. |
| FS-004 | Domain rule engine | For BCS, explicit rules are applied: range, minimum, maximum, absence of prohibited flag, data completeness or calculation-based check. |
| FS-005 | Criticality handling | Critical violations produce FAIL; non-critical deviations and incomplete data produce WARNING; full conformance produces PASS. |
| FS-006 | JSON writer | output.json stores overall status, per-parameter results, source values, warnings, failures and diagnostic messages. |
| FS-007 | Integration contract | The CSV → JSON format is stable for invocation from LIMS/ELN/MES, scheduled task or wrapper service. |
| FS-008 | Error handling | Schema error, missing file, non-numeric value or JSON write failure returns diagnosable error without silent PASS. |
8. output.json contract
The output file must be suitable for automated processing, audit review and correlation with the source input.csv row.
{
"utility": "BCSClassifier",
"api": "BCS",
"batchNumber": "",
"overallStatus": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"checkedAtUtc": "2026-05-18T00:00:00Z",
"checks": [
{
"parameter": "DoseMg",
"value": "50",
"unit": "as specified",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
},
{
"parameter": "SolubilityMgPerMl",
"value": "10.0",
"unit": "mg/ml",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
},
{
"parameter": "Permeability",
"value": "High",
"unit": "as specified",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
}
],
"criticalFindings": [],
"sourceFile": "input.csv"
}9. OQ/PQ test scenarios
| ID | Scenario | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| TC-001 | Valid CSV with expected header and sample row | All rows are processed; output contains PASS/WARNING/FAIL and parameter-level detail. |
| TC-002 | A mandatory input.csv column is missing | Import is rejected or the row receives FAIL with schema reference. |
| TC-003 | A numeric field contains text or a blank value | Type conversion error is recorded; the result is not hidden as PASS. |
| TC-004 | A parameter is outside specification or critical limit | Critical parameters produce FAIL; non-critical deviations produce WARNING according to the rule. |
10. QA/QC, CSV and change control
- Before production use, the client records executable version, checksum, specification/monograph version, test CSV, expected JSON and IQ/OQ results.
- Column names must not be changed without updating the validator and test scenarios.
- The source CSV, output.json and utility version should be stored together as an evidence package.
- Any change in control rules must go through change control and repeated OQ scenario verification.
Included in packages
EAEU Pharmacopoeia QC Suite
Package for EAEU pharmacopoeial methods: specifications, dissolution, microbiology, impurities and general tests.
Open