Department of Health and Human Services December 26, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in cosponsorship with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, is announcing a public workshop that will provide a forum for discussion of extending the qualification of minimal residual disease (MRD) detection as a prognostic biomarker to that of an efficacy/response biomarker in evaluating new drugs for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Our objective for the workshop is to provide a venue for an in- depth discussion of potential surrogate endpoints for trials intended to support the approval of new drugs or biologics for the treatment of CLL. Participants in the workshop will examine the advantages and disadvantages of MRD as a surrogate endpoint for approval, identify the preferred technology platform and performance characteristics for the assay of this biomarker, and discuss any issues regarding methodological standardization for the biomarker. The primary focus will be on the biomarkers that are ready for incorporation into clinical trials and the technical and regulatory challenges for use of these markers.

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues (the Commission) will conduct its twelfth meeting in January. At this meeting, the Commission will continue discussing topics related to the ethical issues associated with the development of medical countermeasures for children.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is correcting a notice that appeared in the Federal Register of Tuesday, November 20, 2012 (77 FR 69632). The document announced the availability of a draft guidance entitled ``Electronic Source Data in Clinical Investigations.'' The document was published with an incorrect date in the DATES section. This document corrects that error.

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, submit comments in writing, or request more information on the proposed project, contact Ms. Adrienne Burroughs, Health Communications Specialist, Office of Communications and Public Liaison, NINR, NIH, Building 31, Room 5B10, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, or call non-toll-free number (301) 496-0256, or Email your request, including your address to: adrienne.burroughs@nih.gov. Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60-days of the date of this publication. Proposed Collection: Pediatric Palliative Care Campaign Pilot Survey-0925-New-National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Need and Use of Information Collection: NINR developed a Pediatric Palliative Care Campaign to address the communications challenges faced by health care providers who recommend and provide palliative care to pediatric populations. NINR is launching this effort to increase the use of palliative care for children living with serious illness or life-limiting conditions. The Pediatric Palliative Care Campaign Pilot Survey will assess the information and materials being disseminated as part of the Pediatric Palliative Care Campaign pilot. Survey findings will help (1) determine if the pilot campaign is effective, relevant, and useful to health care providers who recommend and provide palliative care to pediatric populations; (2) to better understand current perceptions, challenges, and information needs of health care providers when it comes to discussing pediatric palliative care so that information and materials can be refined; and (3) examine how effective the campaign pilot materials are in starting and continuing a pediatric palliative care conversation and addressing the communications needs of health care providers around this topic. This assessment will deliver strategic and actionable guidance for refining the campaign materials so that they can be used by a wider audience of health care providers. OMB approval is requested for 3 years. There are no costs to respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized burden hours are 26.

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, email paperwork@hrsa.gov or call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer at (301) 443-1984. HRSA especially requests comments on: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's function, (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden, (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to update the definitions for interstate quarantine regulations to reflect modern terminology and plain language used by private industry and public health partners. These updates will not affect current practices. As part of the update, we are updating two existing definitions and adding eight new definitions to clarify existing provisions, as well as updating regulations to reflect the most recent Executive Order addressing quarantinable communicable diseases.

Through this Direct Final Rule, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is updating and reorganizing the Scope and Definitions for foreign quarantine regulations and add a new section to contain definitions for Importations. This Direct Final Rule (DFR) will update the scope and definitions to reflect modern terminology and plain language used globally by industry and public health partners. As part of the update, we are updating five existing definitions; adding thirteen new definitions to help clarify existing provisions; creating a new scope and definitions section for Importations under a new section by reorganizing existing definitions into this new section; and updating regulations to reflect the language used by the most recent Executive Order regarding quarantinable communicable diseases.