• where experts go to learn about FDA
  • Month: October 2023

    • DEA Updates Special Surveillance List of Precursor Chemicals and EquipmentOctober 31st, 2023

      The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) has issued its notice finalizing updates to its longstanding Special Surveillance List of chemicals and equipment used in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances and listed chemicals.  Special Surveillance List of Chemicals, Products, Materials and Equipment Used in the Manufacture …

    • The ACA Contraceptive Mandate (Part 2)October 30th, 2023

      Just over two years ago, I wrote about the challenges with implementation of the contraceptive mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  You will recall that, despite the ACA, a 2019 HRSA Guideline, and guidance from the federal agencies responsible for enforcing …

    • FDA Improves the Process for Filing Complaints About Medical Device CompaniesOctober 27th, 2023

      In our June blog post, we reported on FDA’s request for comments about its program to receive information from the public alleging misconduct by other companies.  FDA uses this program to help it identify risks and to determine whether further investigation is needed.  Because this …

    • From GRP to SIUU – the Evolution of FDA Guidance on Off-Label Dissemination of Scientific InformationOctober 24th, 2023

      Yesterday, FDA published a new Draft Guidance, “Communications from Firms to Health Care Providers Regarding Scientific Information on Unapproved Uses of Approved/Cleared Medical Products Questions and Answers” (SIUU Guidance or Draft Guidance).  Previous iterations of this guidance from 2009 and 2014 (blogged on here and …

    • The Rise of eSTAR for Medical Device De Novo SubmissionsOctober 24th, 2023

      As of October 1, 2023, all 510(k) submissions, unless exempted, must be submitted to FDA using the electronic Submission Template And Resource (eSTAR).  The same template can also be used for De Novo submissions.  Currently, eSTAR is voluntary for medical device De Novo submissions, but …

    • We Will Clear You: DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back DayOctober 19th, 2023

      Medicine cabinet, stuffed to the gills Capsules, liquid, patches, and pills Expired oxy, hydro, benzos, and more All kind of meds flowing out the door We will, we will, clear you We will, we will, clear you Were the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) a rock band, it might promote the upcoming …

    • When Should a 510(k) Include Clinical Data?October 18th, 2023

      Although it seems not widely known outside of the medical device industry, FDA can require sponsors to include clinical data as part of a 510(k) submission.  Such data may be needed to demonstrate substantial equivalence to a previously-marketed predicate device or, less frequently, to show …

    • New Breakthrough Devices Program Guidance: Expanding Opportunities for Medical Product InnovationsOctober 17th, 2023

      On September 15, 2023, FDA released a final guidance document titled “Breakthrough Devices Program.”  Compared to the previous version, the new guidance document highlights that the Breakthrough Devices Program may also be applicable to certain devices that benefit populations impacted by health and/or healthcare disparities …

    • AI/ML-enabled Medical Devices Have Everyone’s Attention, Including FDA’sOctober 16th, 2023

      The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently published a series of articles as part of its special report “What’s Ahead for Artificial Intelligence.” Three of these articles focus on medical applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) and explore FDA’s role in regulating such products. The …

    • MAPPing a New Route: FDA Updates MAPP on Suitability PetitionsOctober 13th, 2023

      For years, submitting a Suitability Petition has been like screaming into a void: You’d be lucky if FDA ever responds.  This has been a big problem because FDA’s inattentiveness can delay entry of certain types of ANDAs for years—often resulting in the ANDA applicant’s abandonment …

    • FDA Moves Beyond COVID-19, But Impacts on COVID-19 Era Clinical Trials RemainOctober 12th, 2023

      On September 18, 2023, FDA published an updated, final iteration of guidance for immediate implementation entitled, “Considerations for the Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products During Major Disruptions Due to Disasters and Public Health Emergencies.”  This final guidance replaces and supersedes the March 2020 …

    • Senior FDA Official Dr. Julie Beitz Joins Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. as Principal Drug Regulatory ExpertOctober 11th, 2023

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (“HP&M”), the largest FDA-dedicated law firm, is pleased to announce that Julie Beitz, M.D. has joined the firm as a Principal Drug Regulatory Expert. Dr. Beitz served in leadership positions in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for nearly three …

    • FDA’s New Draft Guidance on 510(k) Implant Devices: What You Need to KnowOctober 11th, 2023

      As we recently blogged, FDA released three draft guidance documents to help enhance the predictability, consistency, and transparency of the 510(k) program.  One of these documents focuses on “Evidentiary Expectations for 510(k) Implant Devices.”  Implant devices are used in a range of settings such as …

    • D.C. Court Strikes Down Copay Accumulator RuleOctober 10th, 2023

      The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has vacated the Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters (NBPP) rule issued in May 2020 (2020 NBPP Rule) which allowed health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to use copay accumulators to exclude drug manufacturers’ copay assistance when …

    • CONTINUED AGAIN: DEA Announces A Second Extension of its “Temporary Rule” Addressing Telemedicine Flexibilities After the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic EmergencyOctober 9th, 2023

      On Friday, October 6, 2023, DEA announced a second extension of telemedicine flexibilities concerning the prescribing of controlled substances, which were originally set to expire after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.  As a reminder, back in February 2023, HPM blogged about DEA’s two …