80_FR_44277 80 FR 44135 - Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies: Understanding and Evaluating Their Impact on the Health Care Delivery System and Patient Access; Public Meeting, Request for Comments

80 FR 44135 - Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies: Understanding and Evaluating Their Impact on the Health Care Delivery System and Patient Access; Public Meeting, Request for Comments

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 142 (July 24, 2015)

Page Range44135-44137
FR Document2015-18149

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44135-44137]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18149]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2013-N-0502]


Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies: Understanding and 
Evaluating Their Impact on the Health Care Delivery System and Patient 
Access; Public Meeting, Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing a 
public meeting entitled ``Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies 
(REMS): Understanding and Evaluating Their Impact on the Health Care 
Delivery System and Patient Access''. The purpose of the public meeting 
is to engage in constructive dialogue and information sharing among 
regulators, the scientific community, the pharmaceutical industry, 
public health agencies, patients, patient advocates, health care system 
administrators, prescribers, dispensers, hospitals, infusion centers, 
health informatics experts, third-party payers, distributors, and the 
general public concerning the impact of REMS on the health care 
delivery system, including the impact on patients and health care 
providers. The discussion will focus on strategies for characterizing 
and evaluating the impact of REMS on the health care delivery system 
and on patient access to drugs subject to REMS.
    The primary focus of this meeting will be on REMS with Elements To 
Assure Safe Use (ETASU); however, the meeting will also include 
discussion of issues that may apply to all REMS. The input from this 
meeting and the public docket comments will be used to inform ongoing 
Agency initiatives related to optimizing REMS design, implementation, 
and assessment.
    Dates and Times: The meeting will be held on October 5, 2015, from 
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 6, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Location: The meeting will be held at the FDA White Oak Campus, 
10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 31 Conference Center, the Great Room 
(Rm. 1503), Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002. Participants must enter 
through Building 1 and undergo security screening. For parking and 
security information, please visit http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/BuildingsandFacilities/WhiteOakCampusInformation/ucm241740.htm. Please arrive early to ensure time for parking and 
security screening.
    Contact Persons for meeting background and content: Megan Moncur, 
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 
10903 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 
[email protected] .
    For registration, oral presentations, special accommodations, and 
other meeting logistics: Cherice Holloway, Center for Drug Evaluation 
and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., 
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, Phone 301-796-4909, FAX: 301-796-9832, 
[email protected].
    Registration and Requests for Oral Presentations: Registration is 
free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must 
register by September 21, 2015. Seating is limited, so register early. 
FDA may limit the number of participants from each organization. If 
time and space permit, onsite registration on the day of the meeting 
will be available. To register for this

[[Page 44136]]

meeting, please visit FDA's Drugs News & Events--Meetings, Conferences, 
& Workshops calendar at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/ucm132703.htm and select this meeting from the events list. If you need 
special accommodations because of a disability, please contact Cherice 
Holloway (see Contact Persons) at least 7 days before the meeting. 
Those without Internet access should contact Cherice Holloway to 
register.
    This meeting includes public comment sessions in which FDA is 
seeking input on improved approaches for understanding, evaluating, and 
minimizing burden on the health care delivery system to the extent 
practicable and for helping to assure patient access to drugs that are 
subject to REMS. If you would like to present during a session, please 
identify the topic(s) you will address during registration (see section 
II).
    FDA will do its best to accommodate requests to speak. FDA urges 
individuals and organizations with common interests to coordinate and/
or request time for a joint presentation. Following the close of 
registration, FDA will allot time for each presentation and notify 
presenters by September 28, 2015. Do not present or distribute 
commercial or promotional material during the meeting. Registered 
presenters should check in at the registration desk before the meeting.
    Live Webcast of the Meeting: To view the Connect Pro Webcast of 
this meeting, you must register online by 4 p.m., September 21, 2015. 
Webcast connections are limited, so register early. Organizations 
should register all viewers but access the Webcast using one connection 
per location.
    Webcast viewers will be sent system requirements after registration 
and will be sent connection information after September 28, 2015. Visit 
https://collaboration.fda.gov/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm 
for the Connect Pro Connection Test. To get a quick overview of Connect 
Pro, visit http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview. (FDA has 
verified the Web site addresses in this notice but is not responsible 
for any subsequent address changes after this document publishes in the 
Federal Register.)
    Comments: FDA is holding this public meeting to obtain information 
on improved strategies for evaluating and minimizing the burden of REMS 
on the health care delivery system to the extent practicable and their 
impact on patient access to the drugs covered by such programs. FDA is 
opening a public docket for comments to be submitted to the Agency on 
the issues and questions presented during the meeting. Regardless of 
attendance at the public meeting, interested persons may submit 
electronic or paper comments to FDA's Division of Dockets Management by 
November 2, 2015.
    Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food 
and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 
20852. Send only one set of comments. Identify all comments with the 
docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. When 
addressing specific topics (see section II), please identify the topic. 
Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management 
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be posted to 
the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Transcripts: Please be advised that as soon as a transcript is 
available, it will be accessible at http://www.regulations.gov. The 
transcript may be viewed at the Division of Dockets Management (see 
Comments). A transcript will also be available in either hard copy or 
on CD-ROM after submission of a Freedom of Information request. Written 
requests are to be sent to the Division of Freedom of Information 
(ELEM-1029), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Element 
Bldg., Rockville, MD 20857.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    This meeting builds on prior stakeholder feedback on the design, 
implementation, and assessment of REMS, including feedback obtained 
through public meetings, stakeholder outreach, and comments to the 
public docket, including the recommendations and suggestions recently 
summarized in the Agency's report entitled ``Standardizing and 
Evaluating Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies'' (the 
Standardizing and Evaluating REMS Report).\1\ The report also describes 
the Agency's findings concerning strategies to standardize REMS, where 
appropriate, with the goal of reducing the burden of implementing REMS 
on health care providers, patients, and others in various health care 
settings.
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    \1\ In the Federal Register of September 23, 2014 (79 FR 56816), 
FDA published a notice announcing the availability of this draft 
report. The report is available at http://www.fda.gov/downloads/forindustry/userfees/prescriptiondruguserfee/ucm415751.pdf.
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    The Agency seeks to build on this foundation by updating 
stakeholders and obtaining their feedback on some of our current and 
proposed initiatives aimed at anticipating and minimizing REMS' burden 
on the health care delivery system, helping to assure access to drugs 
that are subject to REMS with ETASU, and obtaining stakeholder 
recommendations on additional approaches to accomplish these goals. The 
Agency recognizes that REMS can impose burden on the health care 
delivery system. The statute requires ETASU to be commensurate with the 
specific serious risks listed in a drug's labeling, and, considering 
such risks, not be unduly burdensome on patient access to the drug, 
and, to the extent practicable, to minimize burden on the health care 
delivery system. We are also seeking input on the methods for 
evaluating REMS' burden on the health care delivery system and their 
impact on patient access to drugs.
    The primary focus of this meeting will be on REMS with ETASU see 
section 505(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
355-1(f)); however, the meeting will also include discussion of issues 
that may apply to all REMS.

II. Who Is the Target Audience and Who Should Attend This Public 
Meeting?

    This meeting is open to all interested parties. The target audience 
is comprised of regulators, the scientific community, the 
pharmaceutical industry, public health Agencies, patients, patient 
advocates, health care system administrators, prescribers, dispensers, 
hospitals, infusion centers, health informatics experts, third-party 
payers, distributors, and the general public who are interested in 
providing input on approaches for both anticipating and minimizing 
health care delivery system burden and for helping to assure patient 
access to drugs that are subject to REMS, as well as those interested 
in improving the approaches used to evaluate the burden of REMS on the 
health care delivery system and their impact on patient access.

III. What Are the Topics We Intend to Discuss at the Public Meeting?

    The meeting will include panel discussions and individual 
presentations. The main questions that will be considered are as 
follows: (1) How to anticipate and minimize the burden of REMS on the 
health care delivery system and patient access; and (2) how to improve 
the quality and effectiveness of methods used to evaluate REMS' burden 
on the health care delivery system and impact on patient access.

[[Page 44137]]

    FDA will begin the meeting by soliciting feedback regarding how 
stakeholders, such as patients and health care providers, think about 
burden related to REMS. The meeting will then focus on strategies for 
anticipating and addressing REMS burden and access issues in several 
broad topic areas (including several areas identified in the key 
opinions and recommendations from stakeholders in the Standardizing and 
Evaluating REMS Report). Potential discussion topics are described in 
this document. For topics related to strategies for minimizing burden 
and barriers to patient access (topics 1-3), FDA will present ongoing 
and planned Agency initiatives, solicit feedback on these initiatives, 
and ask for feedback on other opportunities for anticipating and 
minimizing burden and patient access issues.
    Potential topics for discussion include the following:
     Topic 1: Understanding the stakeholder perspective.
    Discussion will focus on gaining a better understanding of how 
stakeholders, such as patients, health care providers, dispensers, and 
others, think about burden and access issues related to REMS--for 
example, understanding the different dimensions of burden (e.g., 
administrative, logistical, workflow) and better understanding the 
different types of patient access issues that are implicated by REMS.
     Topic 2: Improved communication about the existence of a 
REMS and about what is required of stakeholders under that REMS.
    Discussion will focus on strategies to improve communications about 
REMS, including communications about the existence of a particular REMS 
or the requirements under a particular REMS program, and how to improve 
the clarity of REMS materials.
     Topic 3: Improved integration of activities required under 
a REMS.
    Discussion will focus on two closely related subtopics: (1) 
Strategies to improve the integration of REMS requirements into the 
health care delivery system through process improvement (e.g., 
streamlining REMS processes that have an impact on stakeholder workflow 
or the care process, and reducing redundancies by leveraging existing 
training or certification requirements to meet REMS requirements); and 
(2) strategies to integrate REMS into electronic health care systems 
(e.g., electronic health records, decision support systems, and 
pharmacy management systems).
     Topic 4: Improved methods for measuring the burden of REMS 
on the health care delivery system and the impact on patient access.
    Discussion will focus on identifying the most effective methods for 
evaluating the burden of REMS on the health care delivery system and 
the impact on patient access, with a goal of not only characterizing 
and quantifying these effects, but also identifying opportunities for 
improvements to a REMS program and better understanding the effect of 
changes to a program. This may include discussion of how to address 
methodological challenges in the measurement of burden and access, and 
how to incorporate stakeholder input into REMS design and assessment.
    FDA intends to make background material available to the public no 
later than 2 business days before the meeting. If FDA is unable to post 
the background material on its Web site prior to the meeting, the 
background material will be made publicly available at the location of 
the public meeting, and the background material will be posted on FDA's 
Web site after the meeting at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/ucm132703.htm, and to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: July 20, 2015.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-18149 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4164-01-P



                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices                                           44135

                                                    Families is soliciting public comment                    has been approved by the Office of                    agencies, patients, patient advocates,
                                                    on the specific aspects of the                           Management and Budget (OMB) under                     health care system administrators,
                                                    information collection described above.                  the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.                  prescribers, dispensers, hospitals,
                                                    Copies of the proposed collection of                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FDA                  infusion centers, health informatics
                                                    information can be obtained and                          PRA Staff, Office of Operations, Food                 experts, third-party payers, distributors,
                                                    comments may be forwarded by writing                     and Drug Administration, 8455                         and the general public concerning the
                                                    to the Administration for Children and                   Colesville Rd., COLE–14526, Silver                    impact of REMS on the health care
                                                    Families, Office of Planning, Research                   Spring, MD 20993–0002,                                delivery system, including the impact
                                                    and Evaluation, 370 L’Enfant                             PRAStaff@fda.hhs.gov.                                 on patients and health care providers.
                                                    Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20447,                                                                           The discussion will focus on strategies
                                                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May
                                                    Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer.                                                                           for characterizing and evaluating the
                                                                                                             26, 2015, the Agency submitted a                      impact of REMS on the health care
                                                    Email address: infocollection@                           proposed collection of information
                                                    acf.hhs.gov. All requests should be                                                                            delivery system and on patient access to
                                                                                                             entitled, ‘‘Petition to Request an                    drugs subject to REMS.
                                                    identified by the title of the information               Exemption from 100 Percent Identity
                                                    collection.                                                                                                       The primary focus of this meeting will
                                                                                                             Testing of Dietary Ingredients: CGMP in               be on REMS with Elements To Assure
                                                      The Department specifically requests                   Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling or
                                                    comments on: (a) Whether the proposed                                                                          Safe Use (ETASU); however, the
                                                                                                             Holding Operations for Dietary                        meeting will also include discussion of
                                                    collection of information is necessary                   Supplements’’ to OMB for review and
                                                    for the proper performance of the                                                                              issues that may apply to all REMS. The
                                                                                                             clearance under 44 U.S.C. 3507. An                    input from this meeting and the public
                                                    functions of the agency, including                       Agency may not conduct or sponsor,
                                                    whether the information shall have                                                                             docket comments will be used to inform
                                                                                                             and a person is not required to respond               ongoing Agency initiatives related to
                                                    practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the               to, a collection of information unless it
                                                    agency’s estimate of the burden of the                                                                         optimizing REMS design,
                                                                                                             displays a currently valid OMB control                implementation, and assessment.
                                                    proposed collection of information; (c)                  number. OMB has now approved the
                                                    the quality, utility, and clarity of the                                                                          Dates and Times: The meeting will be
                                                                                                             information collection and has assigned               held on October 5, 2015, from 8 a.m. to
                                                    information to be collected; and (d)                     OMB control number 0910–0608. The
                                                    ways to minimize the burden of the                                                                             5 p.m. and October 6, 2015, from 8 a.m.
                                                                                                             approval expires on July 31, 2018. A                  to 1 p.m.
                                                    collection of information on                             copy of the supporting statement for this                Location: The meeting will be held at
                                                    respondents, including through the use                   information collection is available on                the FDA White Oak Campus, 10903
                                                    of automated collection techniques or                    the Internet at http://www.reginfo.gov/               New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 31
                                                    other forms of information technology.                   public/do/PRAMain.                                    Conference Center, the Great Room (Rm.
                                                    Consideration will be given to
                                                                                                               Dated: July 20, 2015.                               1503), Silver Spring, MD 20993–0002.
                                                    comments and suggestions submitted
                                                                                                             Leslie Kux,                                           Participants must enter through
                                                    within 60 days of this publication.
                                                                                                             Associate Commissioner for Policy.
                                                                                                                                                                   Building 1 and undergo security
                                                    Robert Sargis,                                                                                                 screening. For parking and security
                                                                                                             [FR Doc. 2015–18140 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am]
                                                    Reports Clearance Officer.                                                                                     information, please visit http://
                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–18203 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am]                                                                    www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/
                                                    BILLING CODE 4184–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                   WorkingatFDA/BuildingsandFacilities/
                                                                                                                                                                   WhiteOakCampusInformation/
                                                                                                             DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                                                                                                                                                                   ucm241740.htm. Please arrive early to
                                                                                                             HUMAN SERVICES
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                                                                       ensure time for parking and security
                                                    HUMAN SERVICES                                           Food and Drug Administration                          screening.
                                                                                                                                                                      Contact Persons for meeting
                                                    Food and Drug Administration                             [Docket No. FDA–2013–N–0502]                          background and content: Megan
                                                                                                                                                                   Moncur, Center for Drug Evaluation and
                                                    [Docket No. FDA–2013–N–1152]                             Risk Evaluation and Mitigation                        Research, Food and Drug
                                                                                                             Strategies: Understanding and                         Administration, 10903 New Hampshire
                                                    Agency Information Collection                            Evaluating Their Impact on the Health
                                                    Activities; Announcement of Office of                                                                          Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993–0002,
                                                                                                             Care Delivery System and Patient                      REMSMeetingOct2015@fda.hhs.gov .
                                                    Management and Budget Approval;                          Access; Public Meeting, Request for
                                                    Petition To Request an Exemption                                                                                  For registration, oral presentations,
                                                                                                             Comments                                              special accommodations, and other
                                                    From 100 Percent Identity Testing of
                                                    Dietary Ingredients: CGMP in                             AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,              meeting logistics: Cherice Holloway,
                                                    Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling or                    HHS.                                                  Center for Drug Evaluation and
                                                    Holding Operations for Dietary                           ACTION: Notice of public meeting;                     Research, Food and Drug
                                                    Supplements                                              request for comments.                                 Administration, 10903 New Hampshire
                                                                                                                                                                   Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993–0002,
                                                    AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,                   The Food and Drug Administration                    Phone 301–796–4909, FAX: 301–796–
                                                    HHS.                                                     (FDA or Agency) is announcing a public                9832, cherice.holloway@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                    ACTION:   Notice.                                        meeting entitled ‘‘Risk Evaluation and                   Registration and Requests for Oral
                                                                                                             Mitigation Strategies (REMS):                         Presentations: Registration is free and
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                                                    SUMMARY:    The Food and Drug                            Understanding and Evaluating Their                    available on a first-come, first-served
                                                    Administration (FDA) is announcing                       Impact on the Health Care Delivery                    basis. You must register by September
                                                    that a collection of information entitled,               System and Patient Access’’. The                      21, 2015. Seating is limited, so register
                                                    ‘‘Petition to Request an Exemption from                  purpose of the public meeting is to                   early. FDA may limit the number of
                                                    100 Percent Identity Testing of Dietary                  engage in constructive dialogue and                   participants from each organization. If
                                                    Ingredients: CGMP in Manufacturing,                      information sharing among regulators,                 time and space permit, onsite
                                                    Packaging, Labeling or Holding                           the scientific community, the                         registration on the day of the meeting
                                                    Operations for Dietary Supplements’’                     pharmaceutical industry, public health                will be available. To register for this


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                                                    44136                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices

                                                    meeting, please visit FDA’s Drugs News                   presented during the meeting.                          and obtaining their feedback on some of
                                                    & Events—Meetings, Conferences, &                        Regardless of attendance at the public                 our current and proposed initiatives
                                                    Workshops calendar at http://                            meeting, interested persons may submit                 aimed at anticipating and minimizing
                                                    www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/                            electronic or paper comments to FDA’s                  REMS’ burden on the health care
                                                    ucm132703.htm and select this meeting                    Division of Dockets Management by                      delivery system, helping to assure
                                                    from the events list. If you need special                November 2, 2015.                                      access to drugs that are subject to REMS
                                                    accommodations because of a disability,                     Submit electronic comments to                       with ETASU, and obtaining stakeholder
                                                    please contact Cherice Holloway (see                     http://www.regulations.gov. Submit                     recommendations on additional
                                                    Contact Persons) at least 7 days before                  written comments to the Division of                    approaches to accomplish these goals.
                                                    the meeting. Those without Internet                      Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food                     The Agency recognizes that REMS can
                                                    access should contact Cherice Holloway                   and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers                  impose burden on the health care
                                                    to register.                                             Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.                   delivery system. The statute requires
                                                       This meeting includes public                          Send only one set of comments. Identify                ETASU to be commensurate with the
                                                    comment sessions in which FDA is                         all comments with the docket number                    specific serious risks listed in a drug’s
                                                    seeking input on improved approaches                     found in brackets in the heading of this               labeling, and, considering such risks,
                                                    for understanding, evaluating, and                       document. When addressing specific                     not be unduly burdensome on patient
                                                    minimizing burden on the health care                     topics (see section II), please identify               access to the drug, and, to the extent
                                                    delivery system to the extent practicable                the topic. Received comments may be                    practicable, to minimize burden on the
                                                    and for helping to assure patient access                 seen in the Division of Dockets                        health care delivery system. We are also
                                                    to drugs that are subject to REMS. If you                Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,                  seeking input on the methods for
                                                    would like to present during a session,                  Monday through Friday, and will be                     evaluating REMS’ burden on the health
                                                    please identify the topic(s) you will                    posted to the docket at http://                        care delivery system and their impact
                                                    address during registration (see section                 www.regulations.gov.                                   on patient access to drugs.
                                                    II).                                                        Transcripts: Please be advised that as                 The primary focus of this meeting will
                                                       FDA will do its best to accommodate                   soon as a transcript is available, it will             be on REMS with ETASU see section
                                                    requests to speak. FDA urges                             be accessible at http://                               505(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
                                                    individuals and organizations with                       www.regulations.gov. The transcript                    Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355–1(f));
                                                    common interests to coordinate and/or                    may be viewed at the Division of                       however, the meeting will also include
                                                    request time for a joint presentation.                   Dockets Management (see Comments). A                   discussion of issues that may apply to
                                                    Following the close of registration, FDA                 transcript will also be available in either            all REMS.
                                                    will allot time for each presentation and                hard copy or on CD–ROM after
                                                    notify presenters by September 28,                       submission of a Freedom of Information                 II. Who Is the Target Audience and
                                                    2015. Do not present or distribute                       request. Written requests are to be sent               Who Should Attend This Public
                                                    commercial or promotional material                       to the Division of Freedom of                          Meeting?
                                                    during the meeting. Registered                           Information (ELEM–1029), Food and                         This meeting is open to all interested
                                                    presenters should check in at the                        Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn                    parties. The target audience is
                                                    registration desk before the meeting.                    Dr., Element Bldg., Rockville, MD                      comprised of regulators, the scientific
                                                       Live Webcast of the Meeting: To view                  20857.                                                 community, the pharmaceutical
                                                    the Connect Pro Webcast of this                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                                    industry, public health Agencies,
                                                    meeting, you must register online by 4                                                                          patients, patient advocates, health care
                                                    p.m., September 21, 2015. Webcast                        I. Background                                          system administrators, prescribers,
                                                    connections are limited, so register                        This meeting builds on prior                        dispensers, hospitals, infusion centers,
                                                    early. Organizations should register all                 stakeholder feedback on the design,                    health informatics experts, third-party
                                                    viewers but access the Webcast using                     implementation, and assessment of                      payers, distributors, and the general
                                                    one connection per location.                             REMS, including feedback obtained                      public who are interested in providing
                                                       Webcast viewers will be sent system                   through public meetings, stakeholder                   input on approaches for both
                                                    requirements after registration and will                 outreach, and comments to the public                   anticipating and minimizing health care
                                                    be sent connection information after                     docket, including the recommendations                  delivery system burden and for helping
                                                    September 28, 2015. Visit https://                       and suggestions recently summarized in                 to assure patient access to drugs that are
                                                    collaboration.fda.gov/common/help/en/                    the Agency’s report entitled                           subject to REMS, as well as those
                                                    support/meeting_test.htm for the                         ‘‘Standardizing and Evaluating Risk                    interested in improving the approaches
                                                    Connect Pro Connection Test. To get a                    Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies’’                 used to evaluate the burden of REMS on
                                                    quick overview of Connect Pro, visit                     (the Standardizing and Evaluating                      the health care delivery system and
                                                    http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_                      REMS Report).1 The report also                         their impact on patient access.
                                                    overview. (FDA has verified the Web site                 describes the Agency’s findings
                                                    addresses in this notice but is not                                                                             III. What Are the Topics We Intend to
                                                                                                             concerning strategies to standardize                   Discuss at the Public Meeting?
                                                    responsible for any subsequent address                   REMS, where appropriate, with the goal
                                                    changes after this document publishes                    of reducing the burden of implementing                    The meeting will include panel
                                                    in the Federal Register.)                                REMS on health care providers,                         discussions and individual
                                                       Comments: FDA is holding this public                  patients, and others in various health                 presentations. The main questions that
                                                    meeting to obtain information on                                                                                will be considered are as follows: (1)
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                                                                                                             care settings.
                                                    improved strategies for evaluating and                      The Agency seeks to build on this                   How to anticipate and minimize the
                                                    minimizing the burden of REMS on the                     foundation by updating stakeholders                    burden of REMS on the health care
                                                    health care delivery system to the extent                                                                       delivery system and patient access; and
                                                    practicable and their impact on patient                    1 In the Federal Register of September 23, 2014      (2) how to improve the quality and
                                                    access to the drugs covered by such                      (79 FR 56816), FDA published a notice announcing       effectiveness of methods used to
                                                                                                             the availability of this draft report. The report is
                                                    programs. FDA is opening a public                        available at http://www.fda.gov/downloads/
                                                                                                                                                                    evaluate REMS’ burden on the health
                                                    docket for comments to be submitted to                   forindustry/userfees/prescriptiondruguserfee/          care delivery system and impact on
                                                    the Agency on the issues and questions                   ucm415751.pdf.                                         patient access.


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                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices                                           44137

                                                       FDA will begin the meeting by                         health care delivery system and the                   DATES:  Although you can comment on
                                                    soliciting feedback regarding how                        impact on patient access.                             any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR
                                                    stakeholders, such as patients and                          Discussion will focus on identifying               10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that we consider
                                                    health care providers, think about                       the most effective methods for                        your comment on this draft guidance
                                                    burden related to REMS. The meeting                      evaluating the burden of REMS on the                  before we begin work on the final
                                                    will then focus on strategies for                        health care delivery system and the                   version of the guidance, submit either
                                                    anticipating and addressing REMS                         impact on patient access, with a goal of              electronic or written comments by
                                                    burden and access issues in several                      not only characterizing and quantifying               October 7, 2015.
                                                    broad topic areas (including several                     these effects, but also identifying                   ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for
                                                    areas identified in the key opinions and                 opportunities for improvements to a                   single copies of the draft guidance to
                                                    recommendations from stakeholders in                     REMS program and better                               Charlotte A. Christin, Office of
                                                    the Standardizing and Evaluating REMS                    understanding the effect of changes to a              Compliance, Center for Food Safety and
                                                    Report). Potential discussion topics are                 program. This may include discussion                  Applied Nutrition (HFS–605), Food and
                                                    described in this document. For topics                   of how to address methodological                      Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch
                                                    related to strategies for minimizing                     challenges in the measurement of                      Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740. Send
                                                    burden and barriers to patient access                    burden and access, and how to                         two self-addressed adhesive labels to
                                                    (topics 1–3), FDA will present ongoing                   incorporate stakeholder input into                    assist that office in processing your
                                                    and planned Agency initiatives, solicit                  REMS design and assessment.                           request. See the SUPPLEMENTARY
                                                    feedback on these initiatives, and ask for                  FDA intends to make background
                                                                                                                                                                   INFORMATION section for electronic
                                                    feedback on other opportunities for                      material available to the public no later
                                                                                                                                                                   access to the draft guidance.
                                                    anticipating and minimizing burden and                   than 2 business days before the meeting.                Submit electronic comments on the
                                                    patient access issues.                                   If FDA is unable to post the background
                                                                                                                                                                   draft guidance to http://
                                                       Potential topics for discussion include               material on its Web site prior to the
                                                                                                                                                                   www.regulations.gov. Submit written
                                                    the following:                                           meeting, the background material will
                                                                                                                                                                   comments to the Division of Dockets
                                                       • Topic 1: Understanding the                          be made publicly available at the
                                                                                                                                                                   Management (HFA–305), Food and Drug
                                                    stakeholder perspective.                                 location of the public meeting, and the
                                                                                                                                                                   Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm.
                                                       Discussion will focus on gaining a                    background material will be posted on
                                                                                                                                                                   1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
                                                    better understanding of how                              FDA’s Web site after the meeting at
                                                    stakeholders, such as patients, health                   http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    care providers, dispensers, and others,                  ucm132703.htm, and to the docket at                   Charlotte A. Christin, Center for Food
                                                    think about burden and access issues                     http://www.regulations.gov.                           Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS–
                                                    related to REMS—for example,                                                                                   605), Food and Drug Administration,
                                                                                                               Dated: July 20, 2015.
                                                    understanding the different dimensions                                                                         5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park,
                                                                                                             Leslie Kux,                                           MD 20740, 240–402–3708.
                                                    of burden (e.g., administrative,                         Associate Commissioner for Policy.
                                                    logistical, workflow) and better                                                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                             [FR Doc. 2015–18149 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am]
                                                    understanding the different types of                                                                           I. Background
                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
                                                    patient access issues that are implicated
                                                    by REMS.                                                                                                          We are announcing the availability of
                                                       • Topic 2: Improved communication                                                                           a draft guidance for industry and FDA
                                                                                                             DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                              staff entitled ‘‘Third-Party Auditor/
                                                    about the existence of a REMS and
                                                                                                             HUMAN SERVICES                                        Certification Body Accreditation for
                                                    about what is required of stakeholders
                                                    under that REMS.                                                                                               Food Safety Audits: Model
                                                                                                             Food and Drug Administration
                                                       Discussion will focus on strategies to                                                                      Accreditation Standards’’ (draft
                                                    improve communications about REMS,                       [Docket No. FDA–2011–N–0146]                          guidance). This draft guidance is being
                                                    including communications about the                                                                             made available consistent with our good
                                                                                                             Third-Party Auditor/Certification Body                guidance practices regulation (21 CFR
                                                    existence of a particular REMS or the
                                                                                                             Accreditation for Food Safety Audits:                 10.115). The draft guidance, when
                                                    requirements under a particular REMS
                                                                                                             Model Accreditation Standards; Draft                  finalized, will represent our current
                                                    program, and how to improve the clarity
                                                                                                             Guidance for Industry and Food and                    thinking on ‘‘Third-Party Auditor/
                                                    of REMS materials.
                                                       • Topic 3: Improved integration of                    Drug Administration Staff; Availability               Certification Body Accreditation for
                                                    activities required under a REMS.                        AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,              Food Safety Audits: Model
                                                       Discussion will focus on two closely                  HHS.                                                  Accreditation Standards.’’ It does not
                                                    related subtopics: (1) Strategies to                     ACTION:   Notice.                                     create or confer any rights for or on any
                                                    improve the integration of REMS                                                                                person and does not operate to bind
                                                    requirements into the health care                        SUMMARY:   The Food and Drug                          FDA or the public. An alternative
                                                    delivery system through process                          Administration (FDA) is announcing the                approach may be used if such an
                                                    improvement (e.g., streamlining REMS                     availability of a draft guidance for                  approach satisfies the requirements of
                                                    processes that have an impact on                         industry and FDA staff entitled ‘‘Third-              the applicable statutes and regulations.
                                                    stakeholder workflow or the care                         Party Auditor/Certification Body                         Section 808 of the Federal Food, Drug,
                                                    process, and reducing redundancies by                    Accreditation for Food Safety Audits:                 and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) (21
                                                    leveraging existing training or                          Model Accreditation Standards.’’ The                  U.S.C. 384d) was added by FSMA and
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                                                    certification requirements to meet REMS                  draft guidance, when finalized, will                  directs FDA to establish a program for
                                                    requirements); and (2) strategies to                     contain FDA recommendations on third-                 the recognition of accreditation bodies
                                                    integrate REMS into electronic health                    party auditor/certification body                      that accredit third-party auditors/
                                                    care systems (e.g., electronic health                    qualifications for accreditation to                   certification bodies to conduct food
                                                    records, decision support systems, and                   conduct food safety audits and to issue               safety audits and to issue food and/or
                                                    pharmacy management systems).                            food and/or facility certifications under             facility certifications that FDA may use
                                                       • Topic 4: Improved methods for                       an FDA program required by the FDA                    in certain circumstances to facilitate the
                                                    measuring the burden of REMS on the                      Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).                 entry of foods presented for import.


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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:24:53
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:24:53
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 of public meeting; request for comments.
FR Citation80 FR 44135 

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