By Susan J. Matthees – Apparently as a result of a misunderstanding of the basic principles of homeopathy, and how of necessity the efficacy testing for such drugs differs from non-homeopathic drugs, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California recently decided …
By Anne K. Walsh & John R. Fleder – Companies must proactively prepare for the strong arm tactics the government employs to investigate companies regulated by FDA. A recent case demonstrates that the federal government can act with little regard to companies seeking to represent themselves by …
By Kurt R. Karst – On May 9th, FDA announced the May 10th publication of a Federal Register notice proposing and requesting comment on the structure of a user fee program for applications for biosimilar and interchangeable biological products submitted under section 351(k) of the Public …
By Susan J. Matthees – FDA is announcing that it is taking steps to reduce the maximum dosage strength of acetaminophen in prescription combination products to 325 mg in a single dosage unit. The Agency will also require safety labeling changes, including a boxed warning, for …
By Riëtte van Laack – FDA published a proposed rule that would amend the regulation governing the use of health claims for phytosterols and coronary heart disease. In 2000, FDA issued an interim final rule ("IFR"), 21 C.F.R. § 101.83, for health claims concerning the relationship …
By Kurt R. Karst – Hot off the presses! The U.S. Department of Justice (Solicitor General of the United States) filed its highly anticipated amicus brief in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s invitation to weigh in on generic drug preemption. The Court’s request was made in the context …
By Peter M. Jaensch – On Friday, April 30th, 2010, the U.S. Sentencing Commission sent Congress amendments to the federal Sentencing Guidelines applicable to organizations such as corporations. On January 21, 2010, we reported on proposed changes to the federal Sentencing Guidelines. The changes would have apparently …
By Alan Kirschenbaum — In an effort to salvage health care reform, the Obama Administration will hold a bipartisan health care reform meeting this Thursday, February 25. Invited are the Congressional leadership of both parties and the Chairmen and ranking membership of committees involved in health …
By David B. Clissold and Nisha P. Shah On February 19, 2010, FDA issued a proposed rule that would require sponsors to report any person that has or may have engaged in the falsification of data in studies that involve human or animal subjects. FDA believes …
By Carrie S. Martin – FDA announced on April 30, 2009, that all botulinum toxin products will now require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy ("REMS") and safety labeling changes, including a boxed warning, due to the risk of spread of botulinum toxin effects from …
By Ricardo Carvajal— During a session at the Food and Drug Law Institute’s Second Annual Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation, and Policy, senior FDA staff confirmed that the agency does not intend to issue regulations specific to products derived through nanotechnology, or to establish a definition …
By John A. Gilbert and Larry K. Houck – The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) has published a notice of proposed rulemaking to control Tapentadol as a schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tapentadol Into Schedule II, 74 Fed. Reg. 7,386 …
In late May, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced S. 3046 – the “Access, Compassion, Care, and Ethics for Seriously Ill Patients Act” (the “ACCESS Act”). The bill, which is similar to legislation Sen. Brownback introduced in the 109th Congress with the same title (i.e., S. …
One year ago today, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C., started FDA Law Blog with this post and a promise to provide you with timely updates on FDA enforcement actions, proposed rules, personnel changes, new and improved policies, along with related issues such as healthcare fraud …
Advisory Opinion No. 08-04 (Free Trial Program) Last week, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the Department of Health and Human Services posted an advisory opinion addressing a free drug trial program for hemophilia A patients (“Proposed Arrangement”). This was the first opinion outside of …
