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

HHS gives notice of a decision to designate a class of employees from the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as an addition to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000.

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.

This notice announces the next meeting of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC). The BSC, a federally chartered, external advisory group composed of scientists from the public and private sectors, will review and provide advice on programmatic activities. The meeting is open to the public and registration is requested for both attendance and oral comment and required to access the webcast. Information about the meeting and registration are available at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/165.

The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing 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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the CLIAC. The CLIAC, consists of 20 experts including the Chair in the fields associated with microbiology (including bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology), immunology (including histocompatibility), chemistry, hematology, pathology (including histopathology and cytology), genetic testing (including cytogenetics); from representatives in the fields of medical technology, public health, and clinical practice; and from consumer representatives. Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of the committee's objectives. Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of microbiology (including bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology), immunology (including histocompatibility), chemistry, hematology, pathology (including histopathology and cytology), or genetic testing (including cytogenetics); from representatives in the fields of medical technology, public health, and clinical practice; and from consumer representatives. Members may be invited to serve for up to four-year terms. Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of CLIAC objectives (https:// www.cdc.gov/cliac/).

Pursuant to the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (NAPA), as amended, the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is required to provide members of the public an opportunity to comment on proposed changes in interpretive rules and general statements of policy and to give notice of the final adoption of such changes no less than 30 days before such changes become effective. In accordance with notice requirements of NAPA, ANA herein describes proposed interpretive rules and general statements of policy that relate to ANA's funding opportunities beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. Changes to FY 2019 Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) will be based on the following previously published programs: Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (ERE), HHS-2018-ACF-ANA-NR-1344; Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion (EMI), HHS-2018-ACF-ANA-NB- 1343; Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance (P&M), HHS- 2018-ACF-ANA-NL-1342; Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS), HHS-2018-ACF-ANA-NA-1339; Social and Economic Development Strategies-Alaska (SEDS-AK), HHS-2018-ACF-ANA-NK-1340; and Native Youth Initiative for Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (ILEAD), HHS- 2018-ACF-ANA-NC-1341.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the availability of the final National Occupational Research Agenda for Musculoskeletal Health.

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) 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.

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 ``Child Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (Child HCAHPS) Survey Database.''

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) 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, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on individual patient expanded access applications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Meta- Analyses of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials to Evaluate the Safety of Human Drugs or Biological Products.'' This document, when finalized, will provide guidance to applicants submitting investigational new drug applications, new drug applications, biologics license applications, or supplemental applications on the use of meta- analyses of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the safety of human drugs or biological products within the framework of regulatory decision-making.\1\ This draft guidance is also intended for FDA reviewers and for third-party entities that prepare or evaluate meta-analyses assessing the safety of drug products. Specifically, this guidance describes the factors FDA intends to consider when evaluating the strength of evidence provided by a meta-analysis studying the safety of drugs.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review and approval of the information collection listed below.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed and/or continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled ``Sudden Death in the Young (SDY) Case Registry''. The goal of the SDY Case Registry is to compile standardized data on sudden and unexpected deaths among infants, children, and young adults, which are not explained by homicides, suicides, overdoses, or the result of an external cause that was the only and obvious reason for the fatal injury, or terminal illnesses.

This notice replaces all language in Part Q (Office of the Secretary) of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the Department), Office of Inspector General (OIG) (81 FR 13807, as published March 15, 2016). The Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority conforms to and carries out the statutory requirements for operating OIG. The organizational changes reflected in this notice are primarily to realign the functions within OIG to better reflect the current work environment and priorities and to more clearly delineate responsibilities for the various activities within OIG's offices. OIG was established by law as an independent and objective oversight unit of the Department to carry out the mission of preventing fraud and abuse and promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of HHS programs and operations. In furtherance of this mission, the organization: Conducts and supervises audits, investigations, evaluations, and inspections relating to HHS programs and operations; identifies systemic weaknesses giving rise to opportunities for fraud and abuse in HHS programs and operations and makes recommendations to prevent their recurrence; leads and coordinates activities to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in HHS programs and operations; detects wrongdoers and abusers of HHS programs and beneficiaries so appropriate remedies may be brought to bear, including imposing administrative sanctions against providers of health care under Medicare and Medicaid who commit certain prohibited acts; and keeps the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies in the administration of HHS programs and operations and about the need for and progress of corrective action. In addition, OIG works with the Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the Secretary, to operate the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program. In accordance with authority enacted in its annual appropriations, OIG also provides protection services to the Secretary and conducts criminal investigations of violations of Federal child support provisions. In support of its mission, OIG carries out and maintains an internal quality assurance system and a peer-review system with other Offices of Inspector General, including periodic quality assessment studies and quality control reviews, to provide reasonable assurance that applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and other requirements are followed, are effective, and are functioning as intended in OIG operations. Section Q, Office of Inspector GeneralOrganization

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) will publish periodic summaries of propose projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

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 we) is announcing the availability of a guidance for industry entitled ``Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels: Questions and Answers Related to the Compliance Date, Added Sugars, and Declaration of Quantitative Amounts of Vitamins and Minerals; Guidance for Industry.'' This guidance is intended for conventional food and dietary supplement manufacturers. The guidance finalizes the draft guidance we issued in January 2017, which provides questions and answers (Q&A) on topics related to compliance with the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts label and Serving Size final rules, the labeling of added sugars, declaration of quantitative amounts of vitamins and minerals, and format issues on the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts labels.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed collection of information listed above. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish a notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This New Data Collection (ICR New) solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the Aging and Disability Resource Center/No Wrong Door System (ADRC/NWD). The statutory authority for ADRC/NWD is contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act (OAA), as amended by the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, Public Law 109-365.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the CDC announces the following meeting for the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, (BSC, NCIPC). This meeting is open to the public limited only by the space and ports available. The meeting room accommodates 70 participants and there will be 75 ports available. Due to the limited availability of phone line ports, we are encouraging the pubic to please register using the link provided: Register Here. There will be a public comment period at the end of the day from 03:30 p.m.04:00 p.m.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the CDC announces the following meeting of the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis Meeting (ACET). This meeting is open to the public, limited only by the space available. The meeting room accommodates approximately 80 people and has 100 ports for audio phone lines. Time will be available for public comment. The public is welcome to submit written comments in advance of the meeting. Comments should be submitted in writing by email to the contact person listed below. The deadline for receipt is Monday, December 10, 2018. Persons who desire to make an oral statement, may request it at the time of the public comment period on December 12, 2018 at 11:40 a.m., EST.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is announcing the following public workshop entitled ``Product Development in Hemophilia.'' The purpose of the public workshop is to discuss issues related to development and regulation of novel hemophilia products.

This quarterly notice lists CMS manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and other Federal Register notices that were published from July through September 2018, relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs and other programs administered by CMS.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing that we have filed a petition, submitted by Bonamar Corp., proposing that we amend our food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of sources of ionizing radiation to control food-borne pathogens in finfish and flatfish.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is classifying the insulin therapy adjustment device 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 insulin therapy adjustment device'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 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 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on bar code label requirements for human drug and biological products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the color additive regulations to provide for the expanded safe use of synthetic iron oxides as color additives to include use in dietary supplement tablets and capsules. This action is in response to a color additive petition (CAP) filed by Colorcon, Inc.

This proposed rule would revise the Medicare Advantage (MA) program (Part C) regulations and Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D) regulations to implement certain provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018; improve quality and accessibility; clarify certain program integrity policies; reduce burden on providers, MA plans, and Part D sponsors through providing additional policy clarification; and implement other technical changes regarding quality improvement. This proposed rule would also revise the appeals and grievances requirements for Medicaid managed care and MA special needs plans for dually eligible individuals to implement certain provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing notice of a new matching program between CMS and the Department of Defense (DoD), ``Verification of Eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Through a Department of Defense Health Benefits Plan.''

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) announces a forthcoming public advisory committee meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) to the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). The general function of the committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Agency on research being conducted at the NCTR. At least one portion of the meeting will be closed to the public.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the 2019 Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) public meeting. This meeting serves as a forum for HHS/CDC to present clarifications to the 2018 VSP Operations Manual and Construction Guidelines and the proposed fee schedule for fiscal year 2020. HHS/CDC is also opening a public docket so that additional comments and materials may be submitted. The official record of this meeting will remain open through February 22, 2019, so that materials or additional comments related to the matters discussed at the meeting may be submitted and made part of the record.

The Chief Scientist is denying a request for a hearing regarding the proposal by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) to refuse to approve a new drug application submitted by Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Research Services, Inc. (PMRS) for oxycodone hydrochloride (HCl) immediate-release (IR) capsules, 5 milligrams (mg), 15 mg, and 30 mg in its present form. The Chief Scientist denies approval.

The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP or the Council) has scheduled a public meeting. Information about NACNEP and the agenda for this meeting can be found on the NACNEP website at https://www.hrsa.gov/advisory-committees/nursing/.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing that Adisseo France S.A.S. has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of silicon dioxide as a carrier for selenomethionine hydroxy analogue at a level not to exceed 95 percent of the selenomethionine hydroxy analogue in its packaged form.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a draft document entitled ``Considerations for the Development of Dried Plasma Products Intended for Transfusion; Draft Guidance for Industry.'' This guidance is intended to assist manufacturers, sponsors, and applicants developing dried plasma products intended for transfusion in order to facilitate the availability of safe and effective dried plasma products in the United States. The draft guidance document provides considerations for the successful development and licensing of dried plasma products and for the approval of devices used to manufacture dried plasma. The guidance includes recommendations on optimal sources of input plasma; manufacturing and product quality, including product characterization; packaging and reconstitution; clinical studies; and device submissions.

The invention listed below is jointly owned by an agency of the U.S. Government with Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and is available for licensing 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 proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an application from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization (AO) for clinics, rehabilitation agencies, or public health agencies that furnish outpatient physical therapy and speech language pathology services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces a forthcoming public advisory committee meeting of the Circulatory System Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee. The general function of the committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Agency on FDA's regulatory issues. The meeting will be open to the public.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public during the review and approval period.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is withdrawing approval of 10 new drug applications (NDAs) from multiple applicants. The applicants notified the Agency in writing that the drug products were no longer marketed and requested that the approval of the applications be withdrawn.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is reopening the period for public comment on modified risk tobacco product applications (MRTPAs) for specific General Snus products submitted by Swedish Match North America Inc. and announcing the availability for public comment of a recently received amendment to the MRTPAs. The original notice of availability for the applications appeared in the Federal Register of August 27, 2014. In that notice, FDA requested comments on the originally filed MRTPAs that are posted on https://www.regulations.gov and FDA's website. In the Federal Register of July 31, 2015, FDA issued a notice to reopen and extended the comment period for comments on amendments to the MRTPAs. That comment period closed on August 31, 2015. FDA is now reopening the comment period to seek comment specifically on a recent amendment to the MRTPAs.

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of a proposed collection for public comment.

This document sets forth proposed rules to expand opportunities for working men and women and their families to access affordable, quality healthcare through proposed changes to regulations under various provisions of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code (Code) regarding health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and other account-based group health plans. (For simplicity, this preamble generally refers only to HRAs, but references to HRAs should also be considered to include other account-based group health plans, unless indicated otherwise.) Specifically, these proposed rules allow integrating HRAs with individual health insurance coverage, if certain conditions are met. The proposed rules also set forth conditions under which certain HRAs would be recognized as limited excepted benefits. Also, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) propose rules regarding premium tax credit (PTC) eligibility for individuals offered coverage under an HRA integrated with individual health insurance coverage. In addition, the Department of Labor (DOL) proposes a clarification to provide plan sponsors with assurance that the individual health insurance coverage the premiums of which are reimbursed by an HRA or a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA) does not become part of an ERISA plan, provided certain conditions are met. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposes rules that would provide a special enrollment period in the individual market for individuals who gain access to an HRA integrated with individual health insurance coverage or who are provided a QSEHRA. The goal of these proposed rules is to expand the flexibility and use of HRAs to provide more Americans with additional options to obtain quality, affordable healthcare. The proposed rules would affect employees and their family members; employers, employee organizations, and other plan sponsors; group health plans; health insurance issuers; and purchasers of individual health insurance coverage.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) has determined the regulatory review period for TALTZ 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 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 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on regulations requiring distribution of patient labeling, called Medication Guides, for certain products that pose a serious and significant public health concern.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is classifying the high flow humidified oxygen delivery device 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 high flow humidified oxygen delivery device'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.

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing 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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Verification Systems Under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act for Certain Prescription Drugs.'' The draft guidance addresses the verification systems that manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, and dispensers must have in place to comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as amended by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). Specifically, this draft guidance covers the statutory verification system requirements that include quarantine and investigation of a product determined to be suspect and quarantine and disposition of a product determined to be illegitimate. The draft guidance also addresses the statutory requirement for notification to the Agency of a product that has been cleared by a manufacturer, repackager, wholesale distributor, or dispenser after a suspect product investigation because it is determined that the product is not an illegitimate product.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) has determined the regulatory review period for LARTRUVO 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 guidance relates to section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and its implementing regulations. Section 1332 provides the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Treasury (collectively, the Secretaries) with the discretion to approve a state's proposal to waive specific provisions of the PPACA (a State Innovation Waiver, now also referred to as a State Relief and Empowerment Waiver), provided the section 1332 state plan meets certain requirements. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) finalized implementing regulations on February 27, 2012. This updated guidance provides supplementary information about the requirements that must be met for the approval of a State Innovation Waiver, the Secretaries' application review procedures, the calculation of pass-through funding, certain analytical requirements, and operational considerations. This guidance supersedes the guidance related to section 1332 of the PPACA that was previously published on December 16, 2015. Changes include increasing flexibility with respect to the manner in which a section 1332 state plan may meet section 1332 standards in order to be eligible to be approved by the Secretaries, clarifying the adjustments the Secretaries may make to maintain federal deficit neutrality, and allowing for states to use existing legislative authority to authorize section 1332 waivers in certain scenarios. The Departments are committed to empowering states to innovate in ways that will strengthen their health insurance markets, expand choices of coverage, target public resources to those most in need, and meet the unique circumstances of each state. This guidance aims to lower barriers to innovation for states seeking to reform their health insurance markets.

The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing 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.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Device Evaluation recognizes that an efficient, risk-based approach to regulating ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology will foster innovation designed to improve ophthalmic healthcare. To make premarket review of OCT devices more efficient, we are announcing a new voluntary OCT Premarket Notification (510(k)) Pilot Program, designed to develop and refine individual premarket testing recommendations for OCT devices through the pre-submission process to yield more consistent premarket submissions and improve predictability of the 510(k) review process. We are planning to achieve these goals through increased interactive engagement with manufacturers of OCT devices. FDA intends to use the voluntary OCT 510(k) Pilot Program to assess whether the individual testing recommendations provided through the pre-submission process and increased interactive engagement improve the premarket review process and reduce the overall total time to decision (TTD), a shared FDA- industry commitment goal, in support of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2017.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) has determined the regulatory review period for NUPLAZID 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 drug product.

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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Guide to Minimize Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Produce.'' The draft guidance, when finalized, will supersede a previous guidance, entitled ``Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables,'' that we issued in 2008. The draft guidance is intended to explain our current thinking on how to comply with recently modernized requirements for current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) and with new requirements for hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls under our regulation entitled ``Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food'' during the production of fresh-cut produce.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the CDC announces the following meeting for the Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee (MSHRAC). This meeting is open to the public, limited only by the space available. The meeting room accommodates approximately 38 people. If you wish to attend in person or by phone, please contact Marie Chovanec by email at MChovanec@cdc.gov or by phone at 412-386-5302 at least 5 business days in advance of the meeting.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing a publication containing modifications the Agency is making to the list of standards FDA recognizes for use in premarket reviews (FDA Recognized Consensus Standards). This publication, entitled ``Modifications to the List of Recognized Standards, Recognition List Number: 050'' (Recognition List Number: 050), will assist manufacturers who elect to declare conformity with consensus standards to meet certain requirements for medical devices.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, or Agency) 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 the Agency) has determined the regulatory review period for TECENTRIQ 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.