Department of Health and Human Services December 9, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary is amending the declaration issued on October 10, 2008, (73 FR 61866) pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to: include countermeasures authorized for use under sections 564A and 564B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3a and 360bbb-3b); clarify and expand the description of covered countermeasures; extend the effective time period of the declaration; reformat the declaration; modify or clarify terms of the declaration; and republish the declaration in its entirety, as amended.

The Secretary is amending the declaration issued on October 10, 2008 (73 FR 61864) pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to: Include countermeasures authorized for use under sections 564A and 564B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3a and 360bbb-3b); clarify the description of covered countermeasures; extend the effective time period of the declaration; reformat the declaration; modify or clarify terms of the declaration; and republish the declaration in its entirety, as amended.

The Secretary is amending the February 27, 2015 Declaration issued pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) (80 FR 22534) to extend the effective time period for an additional twelve (12) months consistent with the terms of the Declaration and republishing the Declaration in its entirety as amended.

The Secretary is amending the declarations issued on October 10, 2008 (73 FR 61861), as amended June 11, 2009 (74 FR 29213); December 17, 2008 (73 FR 78362); and February 29, 2012 (77 FR 13329), pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to: Cover vaccines, antivirals, diagnostics and devices used against pandemic influenza A viruses in a single declaration; extend coverage to additional antivirals and devices and to biologics and other drugs; simplify descriptions of covered diagnostics and devices; clarify the disease threat and description of pandemic influenza A viruses and influenza A viruses with pandemic potential; include coverage for countermeasures authorized for use under sections 564A and 564B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3a and 360bbb-3b); extend the effective time period of the prior declarations; reformat the declarations for antivirals and for diagnostics and devices; modify or clarify terms of the declarations; and republish the prior declarations as a single declaration in its entirety, as amended.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is withdrawing approval of two new animal drug applications (NADAs) and two abbreviated new animal drug applications (ANADAs). This action is being taken at the sponsors' requests because these products are no longer manufactured or marketed.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening the comment period for the notice of a public workshop that appeared in the Federal Register of September 9, 2015. In the notice of the public workshop, FDA requested comments on the workshop topics about the proposed standards-based regulatory strategy for next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests that produce results on variation in the human genome. The Agency is taking this action in response to requests to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry and review staff entitled ``Best Practices for Communication Between IND Sponsors and FDA During Drug Development.'' The purpose of this guidance is to describe best practices and procedures for timely, transparent, and effective communications between investigational new drug application (IND) sponsors and FDA at critical junctures in drug development, which may facilitate earlier availability of safe and effective drugs to the American public.