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

    • New CDRH EUA Doorbuster! Validate a Point-of-Care or Rx Home-Use Device and You Have a Chance to Walk Away with a Brand New OTC Claim!March 19th, 2021

      On March 16th, 2021 CDRH announced a major policy change for the EUA program in an effort to expedite screening testing for the pandemic. Screening is the testing of asymptomatic individuals who do not have known or suspected exposure to COVID-19 in order to make …

    • Potential False Results with Roche Molecular Systems’ SARS-CoV-2 AssayMarch 18th, 2021

      On Friday, March 12th FDA posted a letter to healthcare providers about performance concerns regarding the Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza Test for use on cobas Liat System.  This public letter appears to be the culmination of a dialogue between Roche and …

    • The Biden Admin Announces Expansion of COVID Testing with New Funding – “Living in a Material World”March 17th, 2021

      On February 17th, 2021 the Biden Administration announced an expansion of the Federal strategy to test the population for SARS-CoV-2 with a three pronged approach: Expand COVID-19 testing for schools and underserved populations ($650 Million); Ramp up the domestic manufacturing of testing supplies and raw materials ($815 …

    • When Is Skinny Not Skinny Enough?March 17th, 2021

      Perhaps when you’re carving out a patented method of use?  Well, at least that’s what GSK is arguing.  As the now-infamous GSK v. Teva case makes its way through the Federal Circuit once again to address what many have called the death-knell to skinny-labeling (also …

    • If You Want It Done . . . Bill to Facilitate Marijuana and CBD Research Re-Introduced in the SenateMarch 16th, 2021

      The Senate recently reintroduced legislation that would promote research into medical use of marijuana.  The legislation would also importantly correct a deficiency in prior law and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) recent rulemaking related to synthetically derived CBD. Marijuana remains classified as a schedule I controlled …

    • Higher Medicaid Rebates Will Help to Fund COVID Rescue PlanMarch 15th, 2021

      Last Thursday March 11, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed by President Biden. Out of the hundreds of pages of this COVID relief legislation, our pinpoint focus here is on several pages relating to Medicaid coverage and drug rebates.  The legislation requires Medicaid …

    • Keeping Up With the Kardashians – OPDP EditionMarch 11th, 2021

      I would be lying if I said I hadn’t expected this most recent OPDP Untitled letter.  OK, maybe not THIS letter.  Some background: Back in November 2020, after an article was published about the ethical questions surrounding “Sponcon,” (sponsored content – for those not hip …

    • FDA Warns Against Use of Registration Certificates: It Don’t Mean A ThingMarch 5th, 2021

      It’s not just drug companies that push the limit on marketing their products – see our posts about recent OPDP warning letters.  Medical device companies are fighting for any edge to differentiate their products too.  Even before COVID-19 brought an onslaught of new players to …

    • HP&M’s Food, Beverage & Supplement Wrap Up: February 2021March 4th, 2021

      Welcome to the latest edition of Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C.’s monthly wrap up of food, beverage and supplement news, including regulations, guidances, events, and whatever else is catching our eye. Food & Beverage Transition: As of this writing, Janet Woodcock is Acting Commissioner of Food …

    • Area of Interest Funding – “There’s Always Money in the Banana Stand”March 3rd, 2021

      If you tuned in to FDA’s weekly Virtual Town Hall Meeting on February 10th, 2021 you would have seen a short presentation by Toby Lowe (CDRH/OHT-7) describing a recent funding announcement from HHS OASH, Office of Assistant Secretary for Health, and the DoD. This “Area …

    • OPDP Issues Second Warning Letter of 2021. But Wait, Where Did the OPDP Warning Letters Go?March 2nd, 2021

      Well, it’s been busy for OPDP (and the Rx Ad/Promo bloggers over at the FDA Law Blog).  After getting off to a slow start in 2021, OPDP issued yet another Warning Letter, apparently the day after its first.  Unlike the first letter, this OPDP Warning …

    • Beware EUA Deprioritization!February 25th, 2021

      As the end of the COVID pandemic appears into view, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) appears to be taking steps toward shedding at least part of its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) caseload. Under Section 564(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, …

    • Getting Into the Weeds of USDA’s Hemp Production Program RegulationsFebruary 24th, 2021

      It seems as if the “hemp” debate has been raging forever.  Yet only a little over two years have passed since enactment of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, the “Farm Bill,” in December 2018 that amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 directing the …

    • “Tongue and Done” – Just . . . No.February 18th, 2021

      Yesterday’s FDA Warning Letter, Press Release, and accompanying public relations campaign related to AcelRx’s promotional material for Dsuvia (sufentanil) are remarkable for exactly the reasons FDA intended them to be remarkable: these actions all signal to industry that despite anemic levels of FDA enforcement related …

    • ACI’s 36th FDA Boot Camp (Virtual Conference)February 9th, 2021

      The American Conference Institute’s (“ACI’s”) popular “FDA Boot Camp” – now in its 36th iteration – is scheduled to take place from March 24-25, 2021 (Eastern Time).  The conference is billed as the premier event to provide folks with a roadmap to navigate the difficult …