Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Members appointed to compounding task force, other entities

Members appointed to compounding task force, other entities

Don't Get Burned By Sunshine: The Latest on the Physician Payments Sunshine Act

Don't Get Burned By Sunshine: The Latest on the Physician Payments Sunshine Act
Register for the latest CLE from the American Bar Association Health Law Section.
Don't Get Burned By Sunshine: The Latest on the Physician Payments Sunshine Act
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern
1.5 CLE Requested
Webinar
This webinar will cover subjects such as:
  • The latest developments relating to the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, including updates on related State laws;
  • The use of Sunshine Act data coupled with Medicare payment data and other transparency initiatives;
  • Complicated issues and frequently asked questions relating to reporting, such as educational materials, research, and medical meetings or conferences.
2 easy ways to learn more and register
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FDA seeks permanent injunction against California pharmaceutical company

FDA seeks permanent injunction against California pharmaceutical company

For Immediate Release

July 1, 2014

Release

On June 25, the U.S. Department of Justice, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, filed a complaint for permanent injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Laclede, Inc. (Laclede) of Rancho Dominguez, California, and its president, Michael A. Pellico. The complaint claims that Laclede illegally distributes over-the-counter vaginal drug products without required FDA approval.
According to the complaint, Laclede is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for introducing unapproved and improperly labeled (misbranded) drugs for sale across the country. The prebiotic vaginal products named in the complaint are:
  • Luvena Prebiotic Vaginal Moisturizer and Lubricant
  • Luvena Prebiotic Enhanced Personal Lubricant
  • Luvena Prebiotic Feminine Wipes
  • Luvena Prebiotic Daily Therapeutic Wash
The complaint requests, among other things, that the court issue a permanent injunction order requiring Laclede to cease distribution of these drug products until the company obtains an approved new drug application from the FDA or until all drug claims have been removed from the products’ labels, marketing materials, and any websites controlled by or related to Laclede.
“The drug approval process is critical to ensuring that drugs are safe and effective for their intended uses,” said Carol Bennett, acting director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The FDA will take swift action when companies bypass this important process established to protect consumers from harmful products.”
Since 2010, the FDA has repeatedly told the company that it must obtain the FDA’s approval before selling its drug products. According to the complaint, the company subsequently marketed and distributed the unapproved drug products, despite the FDA’s warnings.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, promotes and protects the public health by, among other things, assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

HIGH IMPORTANCE!! MUST READ!!! FDA outlines expectations for human drug compounders, including registered outsourcing facilities

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued several policy documents regarding compounded drug products for human use, as part of the agency’s continuing effort to implement the compounding provisions of the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), enacted in November 2013. The policy documents consist of a draft interim guidance, a proposed rule, a final guidance, and two revised requests for nominations for the bulk drug substances lists.
“Providing clarity to the compounding industry on the agency’s expectations for these unapproved drug products is a priority for the agency,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “These actions are essential next steps in providing the compounding industry with the appropriate tools to comply with the law and advancing the FDA’s efforts to continue protecting patients.”
The documents available today are:
  • Draft interim guidance that describes the FDA’s expectations regarding compliance with current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) requirements for facilities that compound human drugs and register with the FDA as outsourcing facilities under section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The guidance focuses on CGMP requirements related to sterility assurance of sterile drug products and the general safety of compounded drug products.  
  • A proposed rule that would revise the FDA’s current list of drug products that may not be compounded because the drug products have been withdrawn or removed from the market because they were found to be unsafe or not effective. The proposed rule would modify the description of one drug product on the list and add 25 drug products to the list.
The list set forth in the proposed rule would apply to both compounders and outsourcing facilities seeking to compound drugs for human use under sections 503A and 503B, respectively. 
  • Final guidance for individuals or pharmacies that intend to compound drugs under section 503A, now that the FD&C Act has been amended by the DQSA. The guidance generally restates the provisions of section 503A, describes the FDA’s interim policies with respect to specific provisions that require implementing regulations or other actions, and contains a non-exhaustive list of potential enforcement actions against individuals or pharmacies that compound human drug products in violation of the FD&C Act.
The FDA is providing more detail on what information is needed to evaluate the nominations for placement on the lists.
The draft interim guidance and proposed rule are available for public comment for 60 days, and the dockets are open for the public to nominate bulk drug substances for compounding under section 503A or 503B for 90 days.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
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Page Last Updated: 07/01/2014