International Conference on Harmonisation; Draft Guidance on Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the International Conference on Harmonisation Regions; Dissolution Test General Chapter; Availability, 7447-7448 [E9-3169]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 17, 2009 / Notices sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES MD 20993–0002; or the Office of Communication, Training and Manufacturers Assistance (HFM–40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852–1448. The guidance may also be obtained by mail by calling CBER at 1–800–835– 4709 or 301–827–1800. Send two selfaddressed adhesive labels to assist the office in processing your requests. Submit written comments on the draft guidance to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to https:// www.regulations.gov. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the draft guidance document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding the guidance: Robert H. King, Sr., Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (HFD–003), Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 4150, Silver Spring, MD 20993–0002, 301–796–1242; or Christopher Joneckis, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM–25), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852–1448, 301–827–0373. Regarding the ICH: Michelle Limoli, Office of International Programs (HFG– 1), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301–827–4480. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In recent years, many important initiatives have been undertaken by regulatory authorities and industry associations to promote international harmonization of regulatory requirements. FDA has participated in many meetings designed to enhance harmonization and is committed to seeking scientifically based harmonized technical procedures for pharmaceutical development. One of the goals of harmonization is to identify and then reduce differences in technical requirements for drug development among regulatory agencies. ICH was organized to provide an opportunity for tripartite harmonization initiatives to be developed with input from both regulatory and industry representatives. FDA also seeks input from consumer representatives and others. ICH is concerned with harmonization of technical requirements for the registration of pharmaceutical products among three VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:45 Feb 13, 2009 Jkt 217001 regions: The European Union, Japan, and the United States. The six ICH sponsors are the European Commission; the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations; the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; the Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; the Centers for Drug Evaluation and Research and Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA; and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The ICH Secretariat, which coordinates the preparation of documentation, is provided by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA). The ICH Steering Committee includes representatives from each of the ICH sponsors and the IFPMA, as well as observers from the World Health Organization, Health Canada, and the European Free Trade Area. In November 2008, the ICH Steering Committee agreed that a draft guidance entitled ‘‘Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Annex 8: Sterility Test General Chapter’’ should be made available for public comment. The draft guidance is the product of the Q4B Expert Working Group of the ICH. Comments about this draft will be considered by FDA and the Q4B Expert Working Group. The draft guidance provides the specific evaluation results from the ICH Q4B process for the Sterility Test General Chapter harmonization proposal originating from the threeparty PDG. This draft guidance is in the form of an annex to the core ICH Q4B guidance. Once finalized, the annex will provide guidance to assist industry and regulators in the implementation of the specific topic evaluated by the ICH Q4B process. This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA’s good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the agency’s current thinking on this topic. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. II. Comments Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments on the draft guidance. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7447 submit one paper copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. III. Electronic Access Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at https:// www.regulations.gov, https:// www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm, or https://www.fda.gov/cber/ guidelines.htm. Dated: February 6, 2008. Jeffrey Shuren, Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning. [FR Doc. E9–3167 Filed 2–13–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160–01–S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. FDA–2009–D–0012] International Conference on Harmonisation; Draft Guidance on Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the International Conference on Harmonisation Regions; Dissolution Test General Chapter; Availability AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled ‘‘Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Annex 7: Dissolution Test General Chapter.’’ The draft guidance was prepared under the auspices of the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The draft guidance provides the results of the ICH Q4B evaluation of the Dissolution Test General Chapter harmonized text from each of the three pharmacopoeias (United States, European, and Japanese) represented by the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG). The draft guidance conveys recognition of the three pharmacopoeial methods by the three ICH regulatory regions and provides specific information regarding the recognition. The draft guidance is intended to recognize the interchangeability between the local regional pharmacopoeias, thus avoiding E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM 17FEN1 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 7448 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 17, 2009 / Notices redundant testing in favor of a common testing strategy in each regulatory region. This draft guidance is the seventh annex to the core Q4B guidance, which was made available in the Federal Register of February 21, 2008 (73 FR 9575). DATES: Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115 (g)(5)), to ensure that the agency considers your comment on this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the guidance, submit written or electronic comments on the draft guidance by April 20, 2009. ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of this draft guidance to the Division of Drug Information, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 2201, Silver Spring, MD 20993–0002; or the Office of Communication, Training and Manufacturers Assistance (HFM–40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852–1448. The guidance may also be obtained by mail by calling CBER at 1–800–835– 4709 or 301–827–1800. Send two selfaddressed adhesive labels to assist the office in processing your requests. Submit written comments on the draft guidance to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to https:// www.regulations.gov. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the draft guidance document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding the guidance:Robert H. King, Sr., Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 4150, Silver Spring, MD 20993–0002, 301–796–1242;or Christopher Joneckis, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM–25), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852–1448, 301–827–0373. Regarding the ICH: Michelle Limoli, Office of International Programs (HFG–1), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301–827– 4480. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background FDA is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled ‘‘Q4B VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:45 Feb 13, 2009 Jkt 217001 Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Dissolution Test General Chapter.’’ In recent years, many important initiatives have been undertaken by regulatory authorities and industry associations to promote international harmonization of regulatory requirements. FDA has participated in many meetings designed to enhance harmonization and is committed to seeking scientifically based harmonized technical procedures for pharmaceutical development. One of the goals of harmonization is to identify and then reduce differences in technical requirements for drug development among regulatory agencies. ICH was organized to provide an opportunity for tripartite harmonization initiatives to be developed with input from both regulatory and industry representatives. FDA also seeks input from consumer representatives and others. ICH is concerned with harmonization of technical requirements for the registration of pharmaceutical products among three regions: The European Union, Japan, and the United States. The six ICH sponsors are the European Commission; the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations; the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; the Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; the Centers for Drug Evaluation and Research and Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA; and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The ICH Secretariat, which coordinates the preparation of documentation, is provided by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA). The ICH Steering Committee includes representatives from each of the ICH sponsors and the IFPMA, as well as observers from the World Health Organization, Health Canada, and the European Free Trade Area. In November 2008, the ICH Steering Committee agreed that a draft guidance entitled ‘‘Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Annex 7: Dissolution Test General Chapter’’ should be made available for public comment. The draft guidance is the product of the Q4B Expert Working Group of the ICH. Comments about this draft will be considered by FDA and the Q4B Expert Working Group. The draft guidance provides the specific evaluation results from the ICH Q4B process for the Dissolution Test General Chapter harmonization proposal originating from the three- PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 party PDG. This draft guidance is in the form of an annex to the core ICH Q4B guidance. Once finalized, the annex will provide guidance to assist industry and regulators in the implementation of the specific topic evaluated by the ICH Q4B process. This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA’s good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the agency’s current thinking on Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Dissolution Test General Chapter. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. II. Comments Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding this document. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. III. Electronic Access Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at https:// www.regulations.gov, https:// www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm, or https://www.fda.gov/cber/ guidelines.htm. Dated: February 6, 2009. Jeffrey Shuren, Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning. [FR Doc. E9–3169 Filed 2–13–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160–01–S E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM 17FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7447-7448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3169]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2009-D-0012]


International Conference on Harmonisation; Draft Guidance on Q4B 
Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the 
International Conference on Harmonisation Regions; Dissolution Test 
General Chapter; Availability

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the 
availability of a draft guidance entitled ``Q4B Evaluation and 
Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; 
Annex 7: Dissolution Test General Chapter.'' The draft guidance was 
prepared under the auspices of the International Conference on 
Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of 
Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The draft guidance provides the 
results of the ICH Q4B evaluation of the Dissolution Test General 
Chapter harmonized text from each of the three pharmacopoeias (United 
States, European, and Japanese) represented by the Pharmacopoeial 
Discussion Group (PDG). The draft guidance conveys recognition of the 
three pharmacopoeial methods by the three ICH regulatory regions and 
provides specific information regarding the recognition. The draft 
guidance is intended to recognize the interchangeability between the 
local regional pharmacopoeias, thus avoiding

[[Page 7448]]

redundant testing in favor of a common testing strategy in each 
regulatory region. This draft guidance is the seventh annex to the core 
Q4B guidance, which was made available in the Federal Register of 
February 21, 2008 (73 FR 9575).

DATES: Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 
10.115 (g)(5)), to ensure that the agency considers your comment on 
this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the 
guidance, submit written or electronic comments on the draft guidance 
by April 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of this draft 
guidance to the Division of Drug Information, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New 
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 2201, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002; or 
the Office of Communication, Training and Manufacturers Assistance 
(HFM-40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and 
Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 
20852-1448. The guidance may also be obtained by mail by calling CBER 
at 1-800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800. Send two self-addressed adhesive 
labels to assist the office in processing your requests. Submit written 
comments on the draft guidance to the Division of Dockets Management 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, 
Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to https://
www.regulations.gov. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 
electronic access to the draft guidance document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Regarding the guidance:Robert H. King, Sr., Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New 
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 4150, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-
796-1242;or
    Christopher Joneckis, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research 
(HFM-25), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 
200N, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-827-0373.
    Regarding the ICH: Michelle Limoli, Office of International 
Programs (HFG-1), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-4480.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    FDA is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled 
``Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in 
the ICH Regions; Dissolution Test General Chapter.'' In recent years, 
many important initiatives have been undertaken by regulatory 
authorities and industry associations to promote international 
harmonization of regulatory requirements. FDA has participated in many 
meetings designed to enhance harmonization and is committed to seeking 
scientifically based harmonized technical procedures for pharmaceutical 
development. One of the goals of harmonization is to identify and then 
reduce differences in technical requirements for drug development among 
regulatory agencies.
    ICH was organized to provide an opportunity for tripartite 
harmonization initiatives to be developed with input from both 
regulatory and industry representatives. FDA also seeks input from 
consumer representatives and others. ICH is concerned with 
harmonization of technical requirements for the registration of 
pharmaceutical products among three regions: The European Union, Japan, 
and the United States. The six ICH sponsors are the European 
Commission; the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries 
Associations; the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; the 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; the Centers for Drug 
Evaluation and Research and Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA; and 
the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The ICH 
Secretariat, which coordinates the preparation of documentation, is 
provided by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical 
Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA).
    The ICH Steering Committee includes representatives from each of 
the ICH sponsors and the IFPMA, as well as observers from the World 
Health Organization, Health Canada, and the European Free Trade Area.
    In November 2008, the ICH Steering Committee agreed that a draft 
guidance entitled ``Q4B Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial 
Texts for Use in the ICH Regions; Annex 7: Dissolution Test General 
Chapter'' should be made available for public comment. The draft 
guidance is the product of the Q4B Expert Working Group of the ICH. 
Comments about this draft will be considered by FDA and the Q4B Expert 
Working Group.
    The draft guidance provides the specific evaluation results from 
the ICH Q4B process for the Dissolution Test General Chapter 
harmonization proposal originating from the three-party PDG. This draft 
guidance is in the form of an annex to the core ICH Q4B guidance. Once 
finalized, the annex will provide guidance to assist industry and 
regulators in the implementation of the specific topic evaluated by the 
ICH Q4B process.
    This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good 
guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when 
finalized, will represent the agency's current thinking on Q4B 
Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the 
ICH Regions; Dissolution Test General Chapter. It does not create or 
confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA 
or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach 
satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

II. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding this document. 
Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any 
mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper copy. 
Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets 
in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the 
Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.

III. Electronic Access

    Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at 
https://www.regulations.gov, https://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm, 
or https://www.fda.gov/cber/guidelines.htm.

    Dated: February 6, 2009.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E9-3169 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S

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