Department of Health and Human Services 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Size, Shape, and Other Physical Attributes of Generic Tablets and Capsules.'' This guidance discusses FDA recommendations for the size, shape, and other physical attributes of generic tablets intended to be swallowed intact. FDA is concerned that these characteristics of generic drugs are too varied compared to the originator drug and could affect patient outcomes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection associated with the submission of periodic safety reports as described in the guidance entitled ``Periodic Benefit-Risk Evaluation Report (PBRER) (E2C(R2)).'' The guidance was prepared under the auspices of the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, and describes the format, content, and timing of a PBRER for an approved drug or biologic. This notice also solicits comments on the information collection associated with the submission of waiver-related materials as described in the draft guidance entitled ``Providing Postmarket Periodic Safety Reports in the ICH E2C(R2) Format.'' The draft guidance is intended to inform applicants of the conditions under which FDA will exercise its waiver authority to permit applicants to submit an ICH E2C(R2) PBRER in place of the ICH E2C(R1) Periodic Safety Update Report (PSUR), U.S. periodic adverse drug experience report (PADER), or U.S. periodic adverse experience report (PAER), to satisfy the periodic safety reporting requirements in FDA regulations.

This final rule with comment period revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and the Medicare ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment system for CY 2014 to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from our continuing experience with these systems. In this final rule with comment period, we describe the changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare services paid under the OPPS and those paid under the ASC payment system. In addition, this final rule with comment period updates and refines the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, the ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. In the final rules in this document, we are finalizing changes to the conditions for coverage (CfCs) for organ procurement organizations (OPOs); revisions to the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) regulations; changes to the Medicare fee-for-service Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program; and changes relating to provider reimbursement determinations and appeals.

In compliance with section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR is for a new generic clearance. OMB will accept further comments from the public on this ICR during the review and approval period.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (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.

The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR Part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.

This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: ``Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture Comparative Database.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Bioequivalence Studies With Pharmacokinetic Endpoints for Drugs Submitted Under an ANDA.'' This guidance provides recommendations to applicants planning to include bioequivalence (BE) information in abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) and ANDA supplements. The guidance describes how to meet the BE requirements set forth in FDA regulations. The guidance is applicable to dosage forms intended for oral administration and to non-orally administered drug products in which reliance on systemic exposure measures is suitable for documenting BE. The guidance will be especially useful when planning BE studies intended to be conducted during the postapproval period for certain changes in an ANDA.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, HRSA seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is preparing to develop a list of drug products that present demonstrable difficulties for compounding (difficult-to-compound list). To identify candidates for this list, FDA is encouraging interested groups and individuals to nominate specific drug products or categories of drug products and is describing the information that should be provided to the Agency in support of each nomination.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is preparing to develop a list of bulk drug substances (bulk drugs) that may be used to compound drug products in accordance with section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), concerning outsourcing facilities. To identify candidates for this bulk drugs list, interested groups and individuals may nominate specific bulk drug substances, and FDA is describing the information that should be provided to the Agency in support of each nomination.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Registration for Human Drug Compounding Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.'' The draft guidance addresses new provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), as amended by the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA). The draft guidance is intended to assist human drug compounders that choose to register as outsourcing facilities (outsourcing facilities) in registering with FDA. The draft guidance provides information on how an outsourcing facility should submit facility registration information electronically.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Interim Product Reporting for Human Drug Compounding Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.'' The draft guidance addresses new provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), as amended by the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), and sets forth an interim electronic submission method for human drug compounders that choose to register as outsourcing facilities (outsourcing facilities).

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 on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 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; (2) 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 Submit Comments and For Further Information: To obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instructions, contact Dr. Augie Diana, Health Scientist Administrator, Prevention Research Branch, Division of Epidemiology, Services, and Prevention Research, NIDA, NIH, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5163, Bethesda, MD 20892, or call non-toll- free number (301) 443-1942 or Email your request, including your address to: dianaa@nida.nih.gov. Formal request for additional plans and instruments must be requested in writing.