80_FR_37761 80 FR 37635 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; General Licensing Provisions; Section 351(k) Biosimilar Applications

80 FR 37635 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; General Licensing Provisions; Section 351(k) Biosimilar Applications

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 126 (July 1, 2015)

Page Range37635-37637
FR Document2015-16128

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37635-37637]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16128]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2012-N-0129]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office 
of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; General Licensing 
Provisions; Section 351(k) Biosimilar Applications

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a 
proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Fax written comments on the collection of information by July 
31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that comments on the information collection are 
received, OMB recommends that written comments be faxed to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, 
FAX: 202-395-7285, or emailed to [email protected]. All 
comments should be identified with the OMB control number 0910-0719. 
Also include the FDA docket number found in brackets in the heading of 
this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FDA PRA Staff, Office of Operations, 
Food and Drug Administration, 8455 Colesville Rd., COLE-14526, Silver 
Spring, MD 20993-0002, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, FDA has 
submitted the following proposed collection of information to OMB for 
review and clearance.

General Licensing Provisions; Section 351(k) Biosimilar Applications 
OMB Control Number 0910-0719--Extension

    The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care 
Act) (Pub. L. 111-148) contains a subtitle called the Biologics Price 
Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act), which amends the 
Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) and establishes an abbreviated 
licensure pathway for biological products shown to be biosimilar to, or 
interchangeable with, an FDA-licensed biological reference product (See 
sections 7001 through 7003 of the Affordable Care Act.)
    Section 351(k) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 262(k)), added by the BPCI 
Act, sets forth the requirements for an application for a proposed 
biosimilar product and an application or a supplement for a proposed 
interchangeable product. Section 351(k) defines biosimilarity to mean 
``that the biological product is highly similar to the reference 
product notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive 
components'' and that ``there are no clinically meaningful differences 
between the biological product and the reference product in terms of 
the safety, purity, and potency of the product.'' (See section 
351(i)(2) of the PHS Act.) A 351(k) application must contain, among 
other things, information demonstrating that the biological product is 
biosimilar to a reference product based upon data derived from 
analytical studies, animal studies, and clinical studies, unless FDA 
determines, in its discretion, that certain studies are unnecessary in 
a 351(k) application. (See section 351(k)(2) of the PHS Act.) To 
demonstrate interchangeability, an applicant must provide sufficient 
information to demonstrate biosimilarity and that the biosimilar 
biological product can be expected to produce the same clinical result 
as the reference product in any given patient and, if the biosimilar 
biological product is administered more than once to an individual, the 
risk in terms of safety or diminished efficacy of alternating or 
switching between the use of the biosimilar biological product and the 
reference product is not greater than the risk of using the reference 
product without such alternation or switch. (See section 351(k)(4) of 
the PHS Act.) Interchangeable products may be substituted for the 
reference product without the intervention of the prescribing health 
care provider. (See section 351(i)(3) of the PHS Act.)
    In estimating the information collection burden for 351(k) 
applications, we reviewed the number of 351(k) applications FDA has 
received through fiscal year (FY) 2014, as well as the collection of 
information regarding the general licensing provisions for biologics 
license applications under section 351(a) of the PHS Act submitted to 
OMB (approved under OMB control number 0910-0338). For the information 
collection burden for 351(a) applications, FDA described Sec.  601.2(a) 
(21 CFR 601.2(a)) as requiring a manufacturer of a biological product 
to submit an application on forms prescribed for such purpose with 
accompanying data and information including certain labeling 
information to FDA for approval to market a product in interstate 
commerce. FDA also added in the burden estimate the container and 
package labeling requirements provided under Sec. Sec.  610.60 through 
610.65 (21 CFR 610.60 through 610.65). The estimated hours per response 
for Sec.  601.2, and Sec. Sec.  610.60 through 610.65, are 860 hours.
    In addition, in submitting a 351(a) application, an applicant 
completes the Form FDA 356h, ``Application to Market a New Drug, 
Biologic, or an Antibiotic Drug for Human Use.'' The application form 
serves primarily as a checklist for firms to gather and submit certain 
information to FDA. The checklist helps to ensure that the application 
is complete and contains all the necessary information so that delays 
due to lack of information may be eliminated. The form provides key 
information to FDA for efficient handling and distribution to the 
appropriate staff for review. The estimated burden hours for biological 
product submissions using FDA Form 356h are included under the 
applicable requirements approved under OMB control number 0910-0338.
    To submit an application seeking licensure of a proposed biosimilar 
product under section 351(k)(2)(A)(i) and (k)(2)(A)(iii) of the PHS 
Act, FDA believes that the estimated burden hours would be 
approximately the same as noted under OMB control number 0910-0338 for 
a 351(a) application--860 hours. The burden estimates for seeking 
licensure of a proposed biosimilar product that meets the standards for 
interchangeability under section 351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4) would also be 
860 hours. Until we gain more experience with biosimilar applications, 
FDA believes this estimate is

[[Page 37636]]

appropriate for 351(k) applications because to determine biosimilarity 
or interchangeability of a proposed 351(k) product, the application and 
the information submitted is expected to be comparably as complex and 
technically demanding as a proposed 351(a) application. FDA may 
determine, in its discretion, an element required under a 351(k) 
application to be unnecessary to support licensure of a biosimilar or 
interchangeable product. In those cases, the number of hours per 
response may be less than the hours estimated.
    A summary of the information collection requirements in the 
submission of a 351(k) application as described under the BPCI Act 
follows:
    Section 351(k)(2)(A)(i) requires manufactures of 351(k) products to 
submit an application for FDA review and licensure before marketing a 
biosimilar product. An application submitted under this section shall 
include information demonstrating that:
     The biological product is biosimilar to a reference 
product based upon data derived from analytical studies, animal studies 
(including toxicity), and a clinical study or studies (including 
immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics). The Secretary 
of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) may determine that any of 
these elements is unnecessary;
     The biological product and reference product utilize the 
same mechanism or mechanisms of action for the condition or conditions 
of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the proposed labeling, 
but only to the extent the mechanism or mechanisms of action are known 
for the reference product;
     The condition or conditions of use prescribed, 
recommended, or suggested in the labeling proposed for the biological 
product have been previously approved for the reference product;
     The route of administration, the dosage form, and the 
strength of the biological product are the same as those of the 
reference product; and
     The facility in which the biological product is 
manufactured, processed, packed, or held meets standards designed to 
assure that the biological product continues to be safe, pure, and 
potent.
    Section 351(k)(2)(A)(iii) requires the application to include 
publicly available information regarding the Secretary's previous 
determination that the reference product is safe, pure, and potent. The 
application may include any additional information in support of the 
application, including publicly available information with respect to 
the reference product or another biological product.
    Under section 351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4), a manufacturer may include 
information demonstrating that the biological product meets the 
standards for interchangeability either in the application to show 
biosimilarity or in a supplement to such an application. The 
information submitted to meet the standard for interchangeability must 
show that: (1) The biological product is biosimilar to the reference 
product and can be expected to produce the same clinical result as the 
reference product in any given patient; and (2) for a biological 
product that is administered more than once to an individual, the risk 
in terms of safety or diminished efficacy of alternating or switching 
between use of the biological product and the reference product is not 
greater than the risk of using the reference product without such 
alternation or switch.
    In addition to the collection of information regarding the 
submission of a 351(k) application for a proposed biosimilar or 
interchangeable biological product, section 351(l) of the BPCI Act 
establishes procedures for identifying and resolving patent disputes 
involving applications submitted under section 351(k) of the PHS Act. 
The burden estimates for the patent provisions under section 
351(l)(6)(C) of the BPCI Act are included in table 1 of this document 
and are based on the estimated number of 351(k) biosimilar respondents. 
Based on similar reporting requirements, FDA estimates this 
notification will take 2 hours. A summary of the collection of 
information requirements under section 351(l)(6)(C) follows:
    Not later than 30 days after a complaint from the reference product 
sponsor is served to a 351(k) applicant in an action for patent 
infringement described under 351(l)(6), section 351(l)(6)(C) requires 
that the 351(k) applicant provide the Secretary with notice and a copy 
of such complaint. The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register 
notice any complaint received under section 351(l)(6)(C)(i).
    In the Federal Register of February 3, 2015 (80 FR 5761), FDA 
published a 60-day notice requesting public comment on the proposed 
collection of information. FDA received three comments.
    (Comment) One comment requested FDA provide clarity and 
interpretation regarding the standards for interchangeability (sections 
351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4) of the PHS Act). The comment also sought 
clarification regarding the timelines and the chosen mode of 
communication for FDA to convey to the stakeholders any details on an 
unnecessary element under a 351(k) application.
    (Response) FDA expects to issue a draft guidance, ``Considerations 
in Demonstrating Interchangeability to a Reference Product,'' in 2015. 
FDA issued a draft guidance, ``Formal Meetings Between the FDA and 
Biosimilar Biological Product Sponsors or Applicants,'' in 2013, which 
provides recommendations to industry on formal meetings between FDA and 
biosimilar biological product sponsors or applicants.
    (Comment) Another comment requested FDA provide clarity on the 
factors for consideration in assessing whether a proposed biosimilar is 
highly similar to a reference product to support a demonstration of 
biosimilarity--specifically, which product quality attributes are 
considered critical to match (and how much difference is allowed).
    (Response) FDA issued the final guidance, ``Quality Considerations 
in Demonstrating Biosimilarity of a Therapeutic Protein Product to a 
Reference Product,'' in April 2015. This final guidance provides 
further clarification on factors for consideration in assessing whether 
products are highly similar, including expression system, manufacturing 
process, impurities, reference product, and reference standards.
    (Comment) A third comment supported approval and post-market 
policies that would allow healthcare practitioners to make informative 
decisions when treating patients.
    (Response) FDA issued the final guidance, ``Scientific 
Considerations in Demonstrating Biosimilarity to a Reference Product,'' 
in April 2015. This guidance discusses a stepwise approach to 
demonstrating biosimilarity, the totality-of-the-evidence approach that 
FDA will use to review applications for biosimilar products, as well as 
general scientific principles in conducting comparative structural and 
functional analyses, animal testing, and clinical studies (including 
human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, clinical 
immunogenicity assessment, and comparative clinical studies). The 
guidance also provides information on postmarketing safety monitoring 
considerations.
    The comment also requested FDA consider adding as part of a 
biosimilar or interchangeable product's labeling instruction guidance 
on third party substitution of biosimilars without the knowledge of the 
healthcare provider. As noted by the comment, these issues

[[Page 37637]]

are also subject to state laws and regulations. Under the BPCI Act, a 
biological product that has been approved as an ``interchangeable'' may 
be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of 
the health care provider who prescribed the reference product.
    Based on the number of 351(k) applications FDA received through FY 
2014, we estimate that we will receive approximately five 351(k) 
applications annually. The number of respondents submitting 351(k) 
applications is based on the number of sponsors submitting 351(k) 
applications through FY 2014. In making these estimates, FDA has taken 
into account, among other things, the expiration dates of patents that 
relate to potential reference products and general market interest in 
biological products that could be candidates for 351(k) applications.
    FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows:

                                 Table 1--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of
 351(k) Applications (42 U.S.C.      Number of     responses per   Total annual   Average burden    Total hours
             262(k))                respondents     respondent       responses     per response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
351(k)(2)(A)(i) and                            5               1               5             860           4,300
 351(k)(2)(A)(iii) Biosimilar
 Product Applications...........
351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4)                        2               1               2             860           1,720
 Interchangeable Product
 Applications or Supplements....
351(l)(6)(C) Patent Infringement               5               1               5               2              10
 Notifications..................
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............           6,030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.


    Dated: June 25, 2015.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-16128 Filed 6-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices                                            37635

                                              approved under OMB control number                       Colesville Rd., COLE–14526, Silver                     section 351(k)(4) of the PHS Act.)
                                              0910–0120.                                              Spring, MD 20993–0002, PRAStaff@                       Interchangeable products may be
                                                                                                      fda.hhs.gov.                                           substituted for the reference product
                                              VI. Comments
                                                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:    In                       without the intervention of the
                                                 Interested persons may submit either                                                                        prescribing health care provider. (See
                                              electronic comments regarding this                      compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, FDA
                                                                                                      has submitted the following proposed                   section 351(i)(3) of the PHS Act.)
                                              document to http://www.regulations.gov                                                                            In estimating the information
                                              or written comments to the Division of                  collection of information to OMB for
                                                                                                                                                             collection burden for 351(k)
                                              Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES). It                  review and clearance.
                                                                                                                                                             applications, we reviewed the number
                                              is only necessary to send one set of                    General Licensing Provisions; Section                  of 351(k) applications FDA has received
                                              comments. Identify comments with the                    351(k) Biosimilar Applications OMB                     through fiscal year (FY) 2014, as well as
                                              docket number found in brackets in the                  Control Number 0910–0719—Extension                     the collection of information regarding
                                              heading of this document. Received                                                                             the general licensing provisions for
                                                                                                         The Patient Protection and Affordable
                                              comments may be seen in the Division                                                                           biologics license applications under
                                                                                                      Care Act (Affordable Care Act) (Pub. L.
                                              of Dockets Management between 9 a.m.                                                                           section 351(a) of the PHS Act submitted
                                                                                                      111–148) contains a subtitle called the
                                              and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and                                                                         to OMB (approved under OMB control
                                                                                                      Biologics Price Competition and
                                              will be posted to the docket at http://                                                                        number 0910–0338). For the
                                                                                                      Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act),
                                              www.regulations.gov.                                                                                           information collection burden for 351(a)
                                                                                                      which amends the Public Health Service
                                                Dated: June 26, 2015.                                                                                        applications, FDA described § 601.2(a)
                                                                                                      Act (PHS Act) and establishes an
                                              Leslie Kux,                                                                                                    (21 CFR 601.2(a)) as requiring a
                                                                                                      abbreviated licensure pathway for
                                                                                                                                                             manufacturer of a biological product to
                                              Associate Commissioner for Policy.                      biological products shown to be
                                                                                                                                                             submit an application on forms
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–16150 Filed 6–30–15; 8:45 am]             biosimilar to, or interchangeable with,
                                                                                                                                                             prescribed for such purpose with
                                              BILLING CODE 4164–01–P                                  an FDA-licensed biological reference
                                                                                                                                                             accompanying data and information
                                                                                                      product (See sections 7001 through
                                                                                                                                                             including certain labeling information
                                                                                                      7003 of the Affordable Care Act.)                      to FDA for approval to market a product
                                              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                   Section 351(k) of the PHS Act (42
                                                                                                                                                             in interstate commerce. FDA also added
                                              HUMAN SERVICES                                          U.S.C. 262(k)), added by the BPCI Act,
                                                                                                                                                             in the burden estimate the container and
                                                                                                      sets forth the requirements for an                     package labeling requirements provided
                                              Food and Drug Administration                            application for a proposed biosimilar                  under §§ 610.60 through 610.65 (21 CFR
                                              [Docket No. FDA–2012–N–0129]                            product and an application or a                        610.60 through 610.65). The estimated
                                                                                                      supplement for a proposed                              hours per response for § 601.2, and
                                              Agency Information Collection                           interchangeable product. Section 351(k)                §§ 610.60 through 610.65, are 860 hours.
                                              Activities; Submission for Office of                    defines biosimilarity to mean ‘‘that the                  In addition, in submitting a 351(a)
                                              Management and Budget Review;                           biological product is highly similar to                application, an applicant completes the
                                              Comment Request; General Licensing                      the reference product notwithstanding                  Form FDA 356h, ‘‘Application to Market
                                              Provisions; Section 351(k) Biosimilar                   minor differences in clinically inactive               a New Drug, Biologic, or an Antibiotic
                                              Applications                                            components’’ and that ‘‘there are no                   Drug for Human Use.’’ The application
                                                                                                      clinically meaningful differences                      form serves primarily as a checklist for
                                              AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,
                                                                                                      between the biological product and the                 firms to gather and submit certain
                                              HHS.
                                                                                                      reference product in terms of the safety,              information to FDA. The checklist helps
                                              ACTION:   Notice.                                       purity, and potency of the product.’’                  to ensure that the application is
                                              SUMMARY:   The Food and Drug                            (See section 351(i)(2) of the PHS Act.) A              complete and contains all the necessary
                                              Administration (FDA) is announcing                      351(k) application must contain, among                 information so that delays due to lack of
                                              that a proposed collection of                           other things, information demonstrating                information may be eliminated. The
                                              information has been submitted to the                   that the biological product is biosimilar              form provides key information to FDA
                                              Office of Management and Budget                         to a reference product based upon data                 for efficient handling and distribution to
                                              (OMB) for review and clearance under                    derived from analytical studies, animal                the appropriate staff for review. The
                                              the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.                    studies, and clinical studies, unless                  estimated burden hours for biological
                                              DATES: Fax written comments on the                      FDA determines, in its discretion, that                product submissions using FDA Form
                                              collection of information by July 31,                   certain studies are unnecessary in a                   356h are included under the applicable
                                              2015.                                                   351(k) application. (See section                       requirements approved under OMB
                                                                                                      351(k)(2) of the PHS Act.) To                          control number 0910–0338.
                                              ADDRESSES: To ensure that comments on                   demonstrate interchangeability, an                        To submit an application seeking
                                              the information collection are received,                applicant must provide sufficient                      licensure of a proposed biosimilar
                                              OMB recommends that written                             information to demonstrate                             product under section 351(k)(2)(A)(i)
                                              comments be faxed to the Office of                      biosimilarity and that the biosimilar                  and (k)(2)(A)(iii) of the PHS Act, FDA
                                              Information and Regulatory Affairs,                     biological product can be expected to                  believes that the estimated burden hours
                                              OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, FAX:                       produce the same clinical result as the                would be approximately the same as
                                              202–395–7285, or emailed to oira_                       reference product in any given patient                 noted under OMB control number
                                              submission@omb.eop.gov. All                             and, if the biosimilar biological product              0910–0338 for a 351(a) application—860
                                              comments should be identified with the                  is administered more than once to an                   hours. The burden estimates for seeking
                                              OMB control number 0910–0719. Also
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                                                                                                      individual, the risk in terms of safety or             licensure of a proposed biosimilar
                                              include the FDA docket number found                     diminished efficacy of alternating or                  product that meets the standards for
                                              in brackets in the heading of this                      switching between the use of the                       interchangeability under section
                                              document.                                               biosimilar biological product and the                  351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4) would also be
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FDA                    reference product is not greater than the              860 hours. Until we gain more
                                              PRA Staff, Office of Operations, Food                   risk of using the reference product                    experience with biosimilar applications,
                                              and Drug Administration, 8455                           without such alternation or switch. (See               FDA believes this estimate is


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                                              37636                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices

                                              appropriate for 351(k) applications                     reference product or another biological                mode of communication for FDA to
                                              because to determine biosimilarity or                   product.                                               convey to the stakeholders any details
                                              interchangeability of a proposed 351(k)                    Under section 351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4),              on an unnecessary element under a
                                              product, the application and the                        a manufacturer may include information                 351(k) application.
                                              information submitted is expected to be                 demonstrating that the biological                         (Response) FDA expects to issue a
                                              comparably as complex and technically                   product meets the standards for                        draft guidance, ‘‘Considerations in
                                              demanding as a proposed 351(a)                          interchangeability either in the                       Demonstrating Interchangeability to a
                                              application. FDA may determine, in its                  application to show biosimilarity or in                Reference Product,’’ in 2015. FDA
                                              discretion, an element required under a                 a supplement to such an application.                   issued a draft guidance, ‘‘Formal
                                              351(k) application to be unnecessary to                 The information submitted to meet the                  Meetings Between the FDA and
                                              support licensure of a biosimilar or                    standard for interchangeability must                   Biosimilar Biological Product Sponsors
                                              interchangeable product. In those cases,                show that: (1) The biological product is               or Applicants,’’ in 2013, which provides
                                              the number of hours per response may                    biosimilar to the reference product and                recommendations to industry on formal
                                              be less than the hours estimated.                       can be expected to produce the same                    meetings between FDA and biosimilar
                                                 A summary of the information                         clinical result as the reference product               biological product sponsors or
                                              collection requirements in the                          in any given patient; and (2) for a                    applicants.
                                              submission of a 351(k) application as                   biological product that is administered                   (Comment) Another comment
                                              described under the BPCI Act follows:                   more than once to an individual, the                   requested FDA provide clarity on the
                                                 Section 351(k)(2)(A)(i) requires                     risk in terms of safety or diminished                  factors for consideration in assessing
                                              manufactures of 351(k) products to                      efficacy of alternating or switching                   whether a proposed biosimilar is highly
                                              submit an application for FDA review                    between use of the biological product                  similar to a reference product to support
                                              and licensure before marketing a                        and the reference product is not greater               a demonstration of biosimilarity—
                                              biosimilar product. An application                      than the risk of using the reference                   specifically, which product quality
                                              submitted under this section shall                      product without such alternation or                    attributes are considered critical to
                                                                                                      switch.                                                match (and how much difference is
                                              include information demonstrating that:
                                                                                                         In addition to the collection of                    allowed).
                                                 • The biological product is biosimilar                                                                         (Response) FDA issued the final
                                                                                                      information regarding the submission of
                                              to a reference product based upon data                                                                         guidance, ‘‘Quality Considerations in
                                                                                                      a 351(k) application for a proposed
                                              derived from analytical studies, animal                                                                        Demonstrating Biosimilarity of a
                                                                                                      biosimilar or interchangeable biological
                                              studies (including toxicity), and a                                                                            Therapeutic Protein Product to a
                                                                                                      product, section 351(l) of the BPCI Act
                                              clinical study or studies (including                                                                           Reference Product,’’ in April 2015. This
                                                                                                      establishes procedures for identifying
                                              immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics                                                                            final guidance provides further
                                                                                                      and resolving patent disputes involving
                                              or pharmacodynamics). The Secretary of                  applications submitted under section                   clarification on factors for consideration
                                              Health and Human Services (the                          351(k) of the PHS Act. The burden                      in assessing whether products are
                                              Secretary) may determine that any of                    estimates for the patent provisions                    highly similar, including expression
                                              these elements is unnecessary;                          under section 351(l)(6)(C) of the BPCI                 system, manufacturing process,
                                                 • The biological product and                         Act are included in table 1 of this                    impurities, reference product, and
                                              reference product utilize the same                      document and are based on the                          reference standards.
                                              mechanism or mechanisms of action for                   estimated number of 351(k) biosimilar                     (Comment) A third comment
                                              the condition or conditions of use                      respondents. Based on similar reporting                supported approval and post-market
                                              prescribed, recommended, or suggested                   requirements, FDA estimates this                       policies that would allow healthcare
                                              in the proposed labeling, but only to the               notification will take 2 hours. A                      practitioners to make informative
                                              extent the mechanism or mechanisms of                   summary of the collection of                           decisions when treating patients.
                                              action are known for the reference                      information requirements under section                    (Response) FDA issued the final
                                              product;                                                351(l)(6)(C) follows:                                  guidance, ‘‘Scientific Considerations in
                                                 • The condition or conditions of use                    Not later than 30 days after a                      Demonstrating Biosimilarity to a
                                              prescribed, recommended, or suggested                   complaint from the reference product                   Reference Product,’’ in April 2015. This
                                              in the labeling proposed for the                        sponsor is served to a 351(k) applicant                guidance discusses a stepwise approach
                                              biological product have been previously                 in an action for patent infringement                   to demonstrating biosimilarity, the
                                              approved for the reference product;                     described under 351(l)(6), section                     totality-of-the-evidence approach that
                                                 • The route of administration, the                   351(l)(6)(C) requires that the 351(k)                  FDA will use to review applications for
                                              dosage form, and the strength of the                    applicant provide the Secretary with                   biosimilar products, as well as general
                                              biological product are the same as those                notice and a copy of such complaint.                   scientific principles in conducting
                                              of the reference product; and                           The Secretary shall publish in the                     comparative structural and functional
                                                 • The facility in which the biological               Federal Register notice any complaint                  analyses, animal testing, and clinical
                                              product is manufactured, processed,                     received under section 351(l)(6)(C)(i).                studies (including human
                                              packed, or held meets standards                            In the Federal Register of February 3,              pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
                                              designed to assure that the biological                  2015 (80 FR 5761), FDA published a 60-                 studies, clinical immunogenicity
                                              product continues to be safe, pure, and                 day notice requesting public comment                   assessment, and comparative clinical
                                              potent.                                                 on the proposed collection of                          studies). The guidance also provides
                                                 Section 351(k)(2)(A)(iii) requires the               information. FDA received three                        information on postmarketing safety
                                              application to include publicly available               comments.                                              monitoring considerations.
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                                              information regarding the Secretary’s                      (Comment) One comment requested                        The comment also requested FDA
                                              previous determination that the                         FDA provide clarity and interpretation                 consider adding as part of a biosimilar
                                              reference product is safe, pure, and                    regarding the standards for                            or interchangeable product’s labeling
                                              potent. The application may include                     interchangeability (sections 351(k)(2)(B)              instruction guidance on third party
                                              any additional information in support of                and (k)(4) of the PHS Act). The                        substitution of biosimilars without the
                                              the application, including publicly                     comment also sought clarification                      knowledge of the healthcare provider.
                                              available information with respect to the               regarding the timelines and the chosen                 As noted by the comment, these issues


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                                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices                                                                                              37637

                                              are also subject to state laws and                                           Based on the number of 351(k)                                             into account, among other things, the
                                              regulations. Under the BPCI Act, a                                         applications FDA received through FY                                        expiration dates of patents that relate to
                                              biological product that has been                                           2014, we estimate that we will receive                                      potential reference products and general
                                              approved as an ‘‘interchangeable’’ may                                     approximately five 351(k) applications                                      market interest in biological products
                                              be substituted for the reference product                                   annually. The number of respondents                                         that could be candidates for 351(k)
                                              without the intervention of the health                                     submitting 351(k) applications is based                                     applications.
                                              care provider who prescribed the                                           on the number of sponsors submitting
                                                                                                                                                                                                       FDA estimates the burden of this
                                              reference product.                                                         351(k) applications through FY 2014. In
                                                                                                                         making these estimates, FDA has taken                                       collection of information as follows:

                                                                                                            TABLE 1—ESTIMATED ANNUAL REPORTING BURDEN 1
                                                                                                                                                                        Number of                                                Average
                                                                                                                                             Number of                                            Total annual
                                                             351(k) Applications (42 U.S.C. 262(k))                                                                   responses per                                            burden per              Total hours
                                                                                                                                            respondents                                            responses
                                                                                                                                                                        respondent                                              response

                                              351(k)(2)(A)(i) and 351(k)(2)(A)(iii) Biosimilar Product Ap-
                                                plications ...........................................................................                          5                          1                           5                      860             4,300
                                              351(k)(2)(B) and (k)(4) Interchangeable Product Applica-
                                                tions or Supplements .......................................................                                     2                          1                         2                       860             1,720
                                              351(l)(6)(C) Patent Infringement Notifications .....................                                               5                          1                         5                         2                10

                                                    Total ..............................................................................   ........................   ........................   ........................   ........................          6,030
                                                 1 There     are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.


                                                Dated: June 25, 2015.                                                    Division of Policy and Shortage                                             administered by the Centers for
                                              Leslie Kux,                                                                Designation, Bureau of Health                                               Medicare and Medicaid Services,
                                              Associate Commissioner for Policy.                                         Workforce, Health Resources and                                             certain qualified providers in
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–16128 Filed 6–30–15; 8:45 am]                                Services Administration, Mail Stop                                          geographic area HPSAs are eligible for
                                              BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
                                                                                                                         11SWH03, Parklawn Building, 5600                                            increased levels of Medicare
                                                                                                                         Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland                                           reimbursement.
                                                                                                                         20857, (301) 594–5168.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Development of the Designation and
                                              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Withdrawal Lists
                                              HUMAN SERVICES                                                             Background
                                                                                                                                                                                                        Criteria for designating HPSAs were
                                              Health Resources and Services                                                 Section 332 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C.                                    published as final regulations (42 CFR
                                              Administration                                                             254e, provides that the Secretary of HHS                                    part 5) in 1980. Criteria then were
                                                                                                                         shall designate HPSAs based on criteria
                                              Lists of Designated Primary Medical                                                                                                                    defined for each of seven health
                                                                                                                         established by regulation. HPSAs are
                                              Care, Mental Health, and Dental Health                                                                                                                 professional types (primary medical
                                                                                                                         defined in section 332 to include (1)
                                              Professional Shortage Areas                                                                                                                            care, dental, psychiatric, vision care,
                                                                                                                         urban and rural geographic areas with
                                                                                                                                                                                                     podiatric, pharmacy, and veterinary
                                                                                                                         shortages of health professionals, (2)
                                              AGENCY: Health Resources and Services                                                                                                                  care). The criteria for correctional
                                                                                                                         population groups with such shortages,
                                              Administration, HHS.                                                                                                                                   facility HPSAs were revised and
                                                                                                                         and (3) facilities with such shortages.
                                              ACTION: Notice.                                                                                                                                        published on March 2, 1989 (54 FR
                                                                                                                         Section 332 further requires that the
                                                                                                                                                                                                     8735). The criteria for psychiatric
                                                                                                                         Secretary annually publish a list of the
                                              SUMMARY:   This notice advises the public                                                                                                              HPSAs were expanded to mental health
                                                                                                                         designated geographic areas, population
                                              of the published lists of all geographic                                   groups, and facilities. The lists of                                        HPSAs on January 22, 1992 (57 FR
                                              areas, population groups, and facilities                                   HPSAs are to be reviewed at least                                           2473). Currently funded PHS Act
                                              designated as primary medical care,                                        annually and revised as necessary.                                          programs use only the primary medical
                                              mental health, and dental health                                           HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce                                           care, mental health, or dental HPSA
                                              professional shortage areas (HPSAs) as                                     (BHW) has the responsibility for                                            designations.
                                              of May 29, 2015, available on the Health                                   designating and updating HPSAs.                                                Individual requests for designation or
                                              Resources and Services Administration                                         Public or private nonprofit entities are                                 withdrawal of a particular geographic
                                              (HRSA) Web site at http://                                                 eligible to apply for assignment of                                         area, population group, or a facility as
                                              www.hrsa.gov/shortage/. HPSAs are                                          National Health Service Corps (NHSC)                                        a HPSA are received and reviewed
                                              designated or withdrawn by the                                             personnel to provide primary care,                                          continuously by BHW. The majority of
                                              Secretary of Health and Human Services                                     mental, or dental health services in or                                     the requests come from the Primary Care
                                              (HHS) under the authority of section                                       to these HPSAs. NHSC health                                                 Offices (PCO) in the State Health
                                              332 of the Public Health Service (PHS)                                     professionals with a service obligation                                     Departments, who have access to the on-
                                              Act and 42 CFR part 5.                                                     may enter into service agreements to                                        line application and review system.
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                           serve only in federally designated                                          Requests that come from other sources
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              Requests for further information on the                                    HPSAs. Entities with clinical training                                      are referred to the PCOs for their review
                                              HPSA designations listed on the HRSA                                       sites located in HPSAs are eligible to                                      and concurrence. In addition, interested
                                              Web site and requests for additional                                       receive priority for certain residency                                      parties, including the Governor, the
                                              designations, withdrawals, or                                              training program grants administered by                                     State Primary Care Association and state
                                              reapplication for designations should be                                   the BHW. Many other federal programs                                        professional associations are notified of
                                              submitted to Kae Brickerd, Ph.D.,                                          also utilize HPSA designations. For                                         each request submitted for their
                                              Director, Shortage Designation Branch,                                     example, under authorities                                                  comments and recommendations.


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:19:56
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:19:56
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesFax written comments on the collection of information by July 31, 2015.
ContactFDA PRA Staff, Office of Operations, Food and Drug Administration, 8455 Colesville Rd., COLE-14526, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 37635 

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