Department of Health and Human Services October 17, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is classifying the external upper limb tremor stimulator into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the external upper limb tremor stimulator's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is denying Isachi Gil's (Gil's) request for a hearing and issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) debarring Gil for 6 years from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application. FDA bases this order on findings that Gil was convicted of 12 felonies under Federal Law involving fraud or falsification and that Gil has demonstrated a pattern of conduct sufficient to find that there is reason to believe she may violate requirements under the FD&C Act relating to drug products. In determining the appropriateness and period of Gil's debarment, FDA considered the relevant factors listed in the FD&C Act. Gil failed to file with the Agency information and analyses sufficient to create a basis for a hearing concerning this action.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) has determined the regulatory review period for TREMFYA and is publishing this notice of that determination as required by law. FDA has made the determination because of the submission of applications to the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Department of Commerce, for the extension of a patent which claims that human biological product.

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 (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 research entitled ``Physician Interpretation of Information About Prescription Drugs in Scientific Publications vs. Promotional Pieces.'' This study will examine important public health issues in professionally directed prescription drug print promotion.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) 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 research entitled, ``Disease Awareness and Prescription Drug Promotion on Television.''

The Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) Pediatric Oncology Program of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) announces the creation of a list of molecular targets that have been determined to be substantially relevant to the growth or progression of a pediatric cancer (Candidate Pediatric Molecular Target List) and a list of molecular targets of new cancer drugs and biological products in development for which requirements for studies in pediatric cancers would be automatically waived. The former list includes molecular targets for which prevailing evidence and/or a scientific rationale exists to determine their potential relevance to the growth or progression of one or more pediatric cancers. The latter list details those targets that are unlikely to be associated with the growth or progression of pediatric cancers such that statutory requirements for early pediatric evaluation would be waived. These lists fulfill one of FDA's obligations under the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (FDARA) and provide information to industry in planning for initial pediatric study plan submissions for certain oncology drugs or biological products in accordance with the amended provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). FDA is establishing this docket for public comment on possible additions to or deletions from the list on the lists described above. The lists can be found on the Oncology Center of Excellence: Pediatric Oncology website at the following link: https://www.fda.gov/ AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/OCE / ucm544641.htm.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) has determined the regulatory review period for BRINEURA and is publishing this notice of that determination as required by law. FDA has made the determination because of the submission of an application to the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Department of Commerce, for the extension of a patent which claims that human biological product.

This notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 and over) and disabled (under age 65) beneficiaries enrolled in Part B of the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program beginning January 1, 2019. In addition, this notice announces the monthly premium for aged and disabled beneficiaries, the deductible for 2019, and the income-related monthly adjustment amounts to be paid by beneficiaries with modified adjusted gross income above certain threshold amounts. The monthly actuarial rates for 2019 are $264.90 for aged enrollees and $315.40 for disabled enrollees. The standard monthly Part B premium rate for all enrollees for 2019 is $135.50, which is equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for aged enrollees (or approximately 25 percent of the expected average total cost of Part B coverage for aged enrollees) plus the $3.00 repayment amount required under current law. (The 2018 standard premium rate was $134.00, which also included the $3.00 repayment amount.) The Part B deductible for 2019 is $185.00 for all Part B beneficiaries. If a beneficiary has to pay an income-related monthly adjustment, he or she will have to pay a total monthly premium of about 35, 50, 65, 80, or 85 percent of the total cost of Part B coverage plus a repayment amount of $4.20, $6.00, $7.80, $9.60, or $10.20, respectively.

This notice announces the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished in calendar year (CY) 2019 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A). The Medicare statute specifies the formulae used to determine these amounts. For CY 2019, the inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,364. The daily coinsurance amounts for CY 2019 will be: $341 for the 61st through 90th day of hospitalization in a benefit period; $682 for lifetime reserve days; and $170.50 for the 21st through 100th day of extended care services in a skilled nursing facility in a benefit period.