FDA Works to Reduce Medical Errors, Part One: Background & Overview of FDA’s Proprietary Naming Guidance

In September 2007, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA IV) was reauthorized and expanded, broadening and strengthening FDA’s drug safety program. As part of PDUFA’s reauthorization, the Agency...

Cybersecurity in Medical Devices: Definitions from FDA's Draft Guidance

Compensating Controls: “A safeguard or countermeasure, external to the device, employed by a user in lieu of, or in the absence of sufficient controls that were designed in by a device manufacturer,...

Quality Agreements and the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Over the past several years, outsourcing within the pharmaceutical supply chain has become common. The rise of the “virtual” pharmaceutical company has resulted in a complex supply chain, with the...

FDA Clarifies its Definition of "Convenience Kit"

On January 4, 2016, the FDA published a draft guidance entitled, “Unique Device Identification: Convenience Kits.” The draft guidance comes after the Agency’s 2013 final rule that established a...

Obtaining IND-Related Feedback from FDA

What to do if you experience delays in obtaining IND-related feedback from the FDA: In December 2015, the FDA released a draft guidance, which provides IND sponsors with a number of recommendations...

Regulatory Sciences

Formal Meetings with the FDA Regarding Biosimilars: What’s Changed?

Recently, biosimilars have made a definite appearance on the FDA’s radar, an expected result after the first biosimilar product gained FDA approval in March and the FDA’s release of four final...

There’s an App for That: FDA Launches Orange Book Express App

On November 9, 2015, FDA launched the Orange Book Express application, which provides a list of the drug products approved by the FDA. What is the Orange Book? The Drug Price Competition and Patent...

Draft Guidance for Microbial Vectors Used for Gene Therapy Outlines FDA Safety Concerns

Issues for Sponsors with INDs and CMC concerns FDA recently released a draft guidance entitled “Recommendations for Microbial Vectors Used for Gene Therapy” as a supplemental guidance to “Guidance...

FDA Investigates Risk of Off-Label Tramadol Use in Children

FDA is investigating the use of tramadol, a narcotic-like pain reliever, in children aged 17 years and younger after learning of the “rare but serious” risk of slowed or difficult breathing....

FDA Updates Informed Consent Guidance

FDA recently updated its informed consent guidance in the form of an Information Sheet. The new document reflects the Agency’s current thinking on the informed consent process utilized in...

Monoclonal Antibody Sameness - Effects on Orphan Drug Development

We note with interest FDA’s recently released Guidance for Industry: Interpreting Sameness of Monoclonal Antibody Products Under the Orphan Drug Regulations (April 2014). The guidance summarizes the...

Clinical Research Solutions

FDA Thinking on Biosimilar Immunogenicity Issues - A Case Study Based on the Enoxaparin ANDA Approval

Following extensive marketing of Lovenox® (enoxaparin sodium), a low-molecular weight heparin, a number of biosimilar versions of enoxaparin and one ANDA-approved formulation (enoxaparin sodium,...

What Can Testosterone Gels Teach Us About Abuse-Deterrent Opioids?

For most drugs, the process of developing and obtaining FDA approval of a generic version is simple and well-defined: sponsors must only prove that their product is pharmaceutically equivalent and...

Rethinking the OTC Monograph System

When the OTC drug review was undertaken in the 1970s, it was deemed the best solution available at the time for efficiently assessing the safety and efficacy of the countless drug products being sold...

Unapproved Codeine Products and Some DESI Drugs need FDA Approval or Cease Marketing

In a Federal Register notice published today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to take enforcement action against misbranded or unapproved prescription products...

Clinical Research Solutions

FDA Guidance Follows USP Salt Policy & Aims to Make Conversions Between Salt Forms Simpler

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published a draft guidance that outlines the “Naming of Drug Products Containing Salt Drug Substances” in accordance with the recently implemented USP...