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  • Enforcement

    • Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. Calls On FDA to Post on the Internet All Court Filings Regarding Enforcement ActionsMarch 13th, 2011

      By Peter M. Jaensch & John R. Fleder – On January 18, 2011, the President issued a significant Order entitled a “Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies.”  The Memorandum directs “agencies with broad regulatory compliance and administrative enforcement responsibilities” to, within 120 days, …

    • Will Proposed Amendments to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Have A Far-Reaching Impact for Persons Regulated By FDA?March 3rd, 2011

      By John R. Fleder & Anne K. Walsh – Perhaps Yogi Berra's most famous quote was: "This is like déjà vu all over again."  Recently proposed amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines applicable to U.S. courts suggest that companies and their executives regulated by FDA may be …

    • FDA Announces Major Enforcement Action on Marketed Unapproved Prescription Cough, Cold, and Allergy Drug ProductsMarch 2nd, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       FDA’s Unapproved Drugs Initiative, which began in June 2006 when the Agency issued its final version of “Marketed Unapproved Drugs – Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 440.100,” took a major step with the Agency’s March 2, 2011 announcement that FDA plans to …

    • Sen. Leahy Asks DOJ for Update on Investigation of Peanut Corporation of AmericaFebruary 23rd, 2011

      By Ricardo Carvajal – In a letter directed to Attorney General Eric Holder, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) asked the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) for an update on its investigation of the Peanut Corporation of America (“PCA”) and its president, Stewart Parnell.  According to the letter, FDA …

    • New Senate Legislation May Impede Voluntary Self-Enforcement by Companies Regulated by FDAFebruary 22nd, 2011

      By Peter M. Jaensch – United States Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) recently introduced legislation that is intended to prevent sales of recalled biologics, drugs, medical devices, infant formula, and foods.  However, if that legislation is enacted it  may actually dissuade companies from undertaking voluntary recalls. On February …

    • In Unusual Twist, FDA Warning Letter Cites Potential FTC Act ViolationsFebruary 14th, 2011

      By Riëtte van Laack – Over the past two years, we have noted several joint or coordinated actions by FDA and FTC.  The agencies issued their own warning letters to the same manufacturers at the same time (here and here), and, on several occasions, FDA and …

    • FDA Finally Releases “Non-binding” Park Doctrine CriteriaFebruary 7th, 2011

      By Anne K. Walsh – Eleven months after telling Senator Grassley (in a letter available here) that “[c]riteria now have been developed for consideration in selection of misdemeanor prosecution cases and will be incorporated into the revised policies and procedures that cover appropriate use of misdemeanor …

    • The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself EnforcementFebruary 2nd, 2011

      In his recent article appearing in FDLI Update, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. Associate Peter M. Jaensch discusses the increasing use of the False Claims Act ("FCA") to privately prosecute what are actually violations of the FDC Act, and examines the allegations underlying the recent GlaxoSmithKline …

    • Enhanced Criminal Penalties for Food Safety Violators?February 1st, 2011

      By Ricardo Carvajal – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) reintroduced legislation to strengthen criminal penalties for food safety violators in the form of the Food Safety Accountability Act of 2011.  As with the version of the bill introduced last year, the current version would amend Title 18 …

    • FDA Seeks to Clean Up Unapproved Cough/Cold/Allergy Drug MarketJanuary 6th, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –       In a notice slated for publication in the January 7th Federal Register, FDA is seeking to end the continued marketing of many unapproved oral prescription drugs for the relief of cough, cold, or allergy.  The action will likely affect hundreds of …

    • Must FDA Treat Similarly-Situated Competitors the Same Way?December 29th, 2010

      In his latest article appearing in FDLI Update, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. Director John R. Fleder explores whether the FDA should enforce the FDC Act by giving different treatment to similarly-situated competitors.  The article reaches the conclusion that the public is not well served …

    • Court Rules that a Dietary Supplement Company Needed Clinical Trials with Human Subjects to Support Advertising ClaimsDecember 22nd, 2010

      By Riëtte van Laack – In a short, unpublished decision issued on December 10, 2010, the D.C. Circuit denied a petition filed by Daniel Chapter One and James Fejio (“DCO”) seeking review of an FTC cease and desist order.  The FTC Order, issued in 2009, concluded …

    • Are Attorneys the FDA’s New Enforcement Target?December 20th, 2010

      By Jamie K. Wolszon –   Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. Directors Douglas B. Farquhar and John R. Fleder presented a webinar on Monday December 20, 2010 for Thompson Interactive entitled: “Are Attorneys the FDA’s New Enforcement Target?”  The webinar slides can be found here.  The …

    • Court Upholds Exclusion of Former Purdue ExecutivesDecember 20th, 2010

      By JP Ellison – In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the main character is visited by three ghosts who by scaring him with visions of his past, present and future, seek to change him.  On December 13, 2010, in the form of a U.S. District Court for …

    • FDA Steps Up Efforts Against “Tainted” Products Masquerading as Dietary SupplementsDecember 19th, 2010

      By Riëtte van Laack – On December 15, 2010, FDA took several steps to increase its enforcement against products that are marketed as dietary supplements but contain analogs of, or the same active ingredients as, FDA-approved drugs, or other substances that do not qualify as dietary …