• where experts go to learn about FDA
  • Year: 2021

    • Is Facebook Ghosting Pharma?September 1st, 2021

      In what appears to be an “about face” in terms of Facebook’s historical wooing of big pharma (are we the only ones that immediately thought, “More Cowbell” when seeing that headline?  You can thank us for that 5 minute rabbit hole later), the social media …

    • FDA Wants Your Input on Cybersecurity for Servicing of Medical DevicesAugust 31st, 2021

      On June 17, 2021, FDA has released a discussion paper to discuss cybersecurity issues related to the servicing of medical devices. We have previously posted blogs about FDA’s increasing interest on cybersecurity both in the premarket (see our past blog posts here, here, and here) and the postmarket …

    • DOJ Re-Brands Guidance DocumentsAugust 30th, 2021

      Companies often use rebranding to reposition and refocus their business.  Sometimes they do it with great fanfare; sometimes it is done quietly and incrementally.  The federal government does its own version of rebranding with each change in administration.  Just before the July 4 holiday weekend, …

    • FIFA Cases Hold Lessons for FDA-Regulated Companies – Organizations can be Victims of Their Own Employees’ Criminal ConductAugust 26th, 2021

      It is a well-accepted fact that even well run ethical and compliant organizations can have serious problems.  The Sentencing Guidelines, the DOJ Manual, and the HHHS OIG–among others–all recognize that reality.  In its Compliance Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, the HHS OIG notes: The OIG recognizes that …

    • PhRMA Code Revised in Response to OIG Special Fraud Alert on Speaker ProgramsAugust 24th, 2021

      On August 6, 2021, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced the release of a revised PhRMA Code on Interactions with Health Care Professionals, which takes effect on January 1, 2022.  The PhRMA Code is a voluntary code of conduct focusing on the …

    • It’s Groundhog Day for Food Labeling, Again: The Food Labeling Modernization Act is BackAugust 20th, 2021

      In a repeat of 2013, 2015 and 2018, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) has yet again introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act (FLMA).  As in the past, there are a few new things of note, and a few other things have been removed (e.g., requirements for …

    • It’s PANDA-monium at FDAAugust 17th, 2021

      Meet the newest category of drug applications: the PANDA.  A PANDA, or the Pre-Hatch-Waxman Abbreviated New Drug Application, refers to abbreviated drug applications submitted and approved under sections 505(b) and 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) prior to the enactment of …

    • The 6-Year Saga Finally Ends: FDA Issues Final Rule Modifying The Intended Use RegulationAugust 16th, 2021

      A determination of “intended use” is fundamental to FDA’s regulation of drugs and medical devices.  It is a primary basis for determining if an article is regulated by FDA at all, and if so, what regulatory requirements apply.  It is embodied in parallel drug and …

    • The Code is Cracked: Interchangeable Biologics are HereAugust 13th, 2021

      About two weeks ago, FDA made an exciting announcement (and it remains exciting even if we’re late posting about it): FDA approved the first interchangeable biosimilar.  On July 30, 2021, FDA approved Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn), an insulin product that relies on Lantus (insulin glargine) as …

    • CMS proposes to Withdraw Trump Era Most Favored Nation (MFN) Drug Pricing RuleAugust 10th, 2021

      The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to rescind a Trump era rule that would have established a “most favored nation” (MFN) model to base Medicare Part B drug payment on international prices.  The Trump Administration rule had a troubled history.  The …

    • FDA Announces It Will Now Regulate Devices as DevicesAugust 10th, 2021

      On the heels of Genus Medical Technologies’ successful lawsuit against FDA—Genus was represented by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara PC—in both the District Court of D.C. and the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, FDA published a Federal Register Notice today (August 9) soliciting comments …

    • Facebook “Pokes” Pharma Companies, Telehealth, and Online PharmaciesAugust 6th, 2021

      We are old enough to remember the “poke” function on Facebook, and too old to remember what purpose it served.  We are similarly at a loss to understand the purpose of Facebook’s new policy requiring that pharmaceutical manufacturers, telehealth companies, and online pharmacies apply for …

    • Infrastructure Bill Set to Delay Trump-era Rebate Rule to Raise CashAugust 4th, 2021

      On Monday August 2, 2021, the Senate took up for review H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, following House passage of its version last month. Although the bipartisan bill largely deals with the nation’s transportation infrastructure, Section 90006 delays the so-called “rebate rule,” …

    • DEA Tweaks Order Form RequirementJuly 28th, 2021

      Last week the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) issued a direct final rule clarifying requirements about who may record the supplier’s DEA registration number on a single-sheet DEA Form 222 (“single-sheet form”).  Clarification Regarding the Supplier’s DEA Registration Number on the Single-Sheet DEA Form 222, 86 …

    • ACI’s 37th Annual FDA Boot Camp (Virtual Conference)July 26th, 2021

      The American Conference Institute’s (“ACI’s”) popular “FDA Boot Camp” – now in its 37th iteration – is scheduled to take place from September 29-30, 2021 (Eastern Standard Time). The conference is billed as the premier event to provide folks with a roadmap to navigate the …