Department of Health and Human Services October 20, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 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 (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 a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate 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 Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of individuals to serve as non-federal public members on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The Office of the Secretary has directed the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) of the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health to assist the Department in conducting an open and transparent nomination process.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) debarring Kelvin Soto from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application for a period of 6 years. We base this order on a finding that Mr. Soto was convicted of four felony counts under Federal law for conduct involving health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud and that this pattern of conduct is sufficient to find that there is reason to believe he may violate requirements under the FD&C Act relating to drug products. Mr. Soto was given notice of the proposed debarment and an opportunity to request a hearing within the timeframe prescribed by regulation. Mr. Soto failed to request a hearing. Mr. Soto's failure to request a hearing constitutes a waiver of his right to a hearing concerning this action.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry (GFI #227) entitled ``Two-Phased Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) Technical Sections.'' The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations to sponsors submitting CMC data submissions. For review efficiency, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) prefers that CMC information be submitted in a single technical section. However, there may be instances when a two-phased technical submission process is more beneficial to improve the overall time to drug approval. Sponsors may submit the phased CMC technical section as a single technical section or a two-phased technical section. This guidance describes the use of the two-phased technical section submission process.