Department of Health and Human Services February 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

AHRQ is seeking information submissions from the public. Information is being solicited to inform our work on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Access to information regarding physical function PRO measure use will assist the selection of measures for AHRQ's efforts to develop and implement user-friendly technical tools to collect and integrate PRO data in electronic health records or other health information technology products.

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 the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality published a document in the Federal Register of February 16, 2018 concerning the current use of the AHRQ Quality Indicators (AHRQ QIs) for quality improvement efforts. This document contained an incorrect deadline date.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions from the public. Scientific information is being solicited to inform our review of Home Mechanical Ventilators, which is currently being conducted by the AHRQ's Evidence- based Practice Centers (EPC) Program. Access to published and unpublished pertinent scientific information will improve the quality of this review.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is correcting a notice that appeared in the Federal Register of June 21, 2017 (82 FR 28322). The document announced the withdrawal of approval of 121 new drug applications (NDAs) and 161 abbreviated new drug applications from multiple applicants, withdrawn as of July 21, 2017. The document indicated that FDA was withdrawing approval of NDA 204508, Clinolipid 20% (olive oil and soybean oil) USP, 16%/4%, after receiving a request from the NDA holder, Baxter Healthcare Corp. (Baxter), 32650 N Wilson Rd., Round Lake, IL 60073. Before the approval of NDA 204508 was withdrawn, Baxter informed FDA that it did not want the approval of this NDA withdrawn. Because Baxter timely requested that approval of this NDA not be withdrawn, the approval of NDA 204508 is still in effect.

Applicable as of December 29, 2017, HRSA updated the HRSA- supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines for purposes of health insurance coverage for preventive services that address health needs specific to women based on clinical recommendations from the Women's Preventive Services Initiative. This 2017 update adds two additional servicesScreening for Diabetes Mellitus after Pregnancy and Screening for Urinary Incontinenceto the nine preventive services included in the 2016 update to the HRSA-supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines. The nine services included in the 2016 update are as follows: Breast Cancer Screening for Average Risk Women, Breastfeeding Services and Supplies, Screening for Cervical Cancer, Contraception, Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, Screening for Interpersonal and Domestic Violence, Counseling for Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Well-Woman Preventive Visits. This notice serves as an announcement of the decision to update the guidelines as listed below. Please see https://www.hrsa.gov/womens-guidelines/ for additional information.

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 ``Patient Safety Organization Certification for Initial Listing and Related Forms, Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form, and Common Formats.''

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing a list of information collections that have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

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 announcing the availability of a guidance entitled ``Q11 Development and Manufacture of Drug SubstancesQuestions and Answers (Chemical Entities and Biotechnological/Biological Entities).'' The guidance was prepared under the auspices of the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH), formerly the International Conference on Harmonisation. The guidance consists of questions and answers that were developed to clarify the principles for selecting starting materials described in the ICH guidance ``Q11 Development and Manufacture of Drug Substances'', published November 20, 2012. The guidance is intended to provide additional clarification and to promote convergence on the considerations for the selection and justification of starting materials. The questions and answers focus on chemical entity drug substances, and provide recommendations on the information that should be provided in marketing authorization applications and/or master files to justify the starting materials.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is announcing the following public workshop entitled ``CDER and You: Keys to Effective Engagement.'' The purpose of the public workshop is to build upon previous efforts to help advocates understand how they can engage with FDA to enhance drug development and safety. This marks the third annual CDER public workshop for patient advocacy groups.

The Administration for Community Living/Administration on Aging (ACL/AoA) is announcing that the proposed collection of information listed above has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This 30-day notice collects comments on the information collection requirements related to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Proposed Extension with Changes of a Currently Approved Collection (ICR Rev)).

The Patient Safety Rule authorizes AHRQ, on behalf of the Secretary of HHS, to list as a PSO an entity that attests that it meets the statutory and regulatory requirements for listing. A PSO can be ``delisted'' by the Secretary if it is found to no longer meet the requirements of the Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule, when a PSO chooses to voluntarily relinquish its status as a PSO for any reason, or when a PSO's listing expires. The listing for Quality Solutions has expired and AHRQ has delisted the PSO accordingly.