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    • Are Prenatals Marketed as Unapproved Drugs Exempt from FDA’s September 19 Guidance? NoOctober 5th, 2011

      By Wes Siegner – We recently reported that on September 19th, FDA announced the issuance of a revised version of the Agency’s June 2006 final guidance document/Compliance Policy Guide (“CPG”), titled “Marketed Unapproved Drugs – Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 440.100, Marketed New Drugs Without Approved NDAs …

    • Regulatory Science vs. Talk Show ScienceOctober 4th, 2011

      By Ricardo Carvajal -  It almost escaped our notice – a blog posting by FDA asserting that “there is currently no evidence to suggest a public health risk from fruit juices, including apple juice” (emphasis added).  The posting went up the same day as the airing …

    • FTC: Reebok Settlement Provides “Compliance Nuggets”October 4th, 2011

      By Cassandra A. Soltis – Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a settlement with Reebok International Ltd. (“Reebok” or “the Company”) for charges that the Company disseminated false and misleading advertisements for its EasyTone and RunTone shoes.  The FTC’s Complaint alleged, among other things, …

    • A Flurry of Generic Drug Labeling Carve-Out Citizen Petitions; Scorecard UpdatedOctober 3rd, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       Since we last updated our popular Generic Drug Labeling Carve-Out Citizen Petition Scorecard in February 2011, there have been several new citizen petitions submitted to FDA raising questions about FDA approval of ANDAs with labeling that omits information protected by periods …

    • FDA Issues Draft Guidance Proposing to Streamline the de novo Classification ProcessOctober 3rd, 2011

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – On September 30, 2011, FDA announced the issuance of a Draft Guidance, De Novo Classification Process (Evaluation of Automatic Class III Designation), intended to update and streamline the de novo review process. The de novo review process, formally known as Evaluation of …

    • A Very Full Plate: FDA’s 5-Year Plan for FoodsOctober 3rd, 2011

      By Ricardo Carvajal – FDA released an ambitious Draft Strategic Plan for 2012-2016 to guide the activities of its Foods and Veterinary Medicine ("FVM") Program (meaning the activities of CFSAN and CVM, as well as ORA’s food-related activities).  The Plan articulates priorities organized around the following …

    • Rep. McCaul Seeks to Reinvigorate Interest in the Creating Hope Act of 2011; Introduces Companion Bill in the HouseSeptember 29th, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       Last week, Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), along with Reps. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Sue Myrick (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), introduced H.R. 3059, the Creating Hope Act of 2011.  The bill is a companion bill to S. 606, which was introduced …

    • Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Bear Naked Foods Not “Natural”September 28th, 2011

      By Cassandra A. Soltis – There is yet another lawsuit to add to the growing list of class actions against companies marketing foods bearing “natural” claims.  On September 21, 2011, a class action complaint was filed in California against Bear Naked, Inc. (“Bear Naked” or “the …

    • District Court Vacates 30-Month Stay Extension; Says Stay Only Applies to ANDAs Containing a Paragraph IV CertificationSeptember 27th, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina in patent infringement litigation concerning Sandoz, Inc.’s (“Sandoz’s”) pending ANDA for a generic version of XYZAL (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) is one of the rare instances in which …

    • FDA Finalizes PDUFA User Fee GuidanceSeptember 27th, 2011

      By Michelle L. Butler – On September 27th, FDA published a guidance document regarding user fee waivers, reductions, and refunds for drug and biological products.  See 76 Fed. Reg. 59705 (Sept. 27, 2011); FDA, Guidance for Industry: User Fee Waivers, Reductions, and Refunds for Drug and …

    • It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over – The ANGIOMAX PTE Battle Takes Yet Another New TurnSeptember 26th, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       With each stroke of the pens President Obama used to sign into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, it seemed as though another nail was hammered into the coffin of any attempts to deny The Medicines Company (“MDCO”) a win in …

    • GDUFA Negotiations Completed; Safety, Access, Transparency Are the Primary Aims of the New ProgramSeptember 22nd, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       Generic Pharmaceutical Association (“GPhA”) Board of Directors Chairman Paul Bisaro recently sent a letter to members announcing both the completion of the negotiating phase (see here and here) of what is intended to become the Generic Drug User Fee Act (“GDUFA”) …

    • Government Files Appellate Brief in Purdue Executives’ Exclusion LitigationSeptember 20th, 2011

      By William T. Koustas – We have previously reported (here and here) continuing legal saga of the former Purdue Frederick Co. (“Purdue”) executives who are seeking to reverse a Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) decision to exclude their participation in federal healthcare programs.  In …

    • Pain Relief on the Way? Senator Kohl’s Proposed Bill to Provide Easier Access to Controlled Substances to Patients in Long-Term Care FacilitiesSeptember 20th, 2011

      By Karla L. Palmer & John A. Gilbert – Last week Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) introduced a bill (S. 1560) to facilitate controlled substance access for residents of residential long-term care facilities.  The proposed bill, which would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”), specifically  21 …

    • HPM Attorney to Present at Upcoming Conferences on Food Law and PolicySeptember 20th, 2011

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C.’s Ricardo Carvajal will be presenting at the following upcoming conferences on food law and policy. The ASQ Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Division's 22nd West Coast Conference on Dietary Supplement Challenges will address cGMPs, analytical issues, the FSMA, and FDA’s draft guidance …