80_FR_55542 80 FR 55364 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Guidance for Industry on Drug Supply Chain Security Act Implementation: Identification of Suspect Product and Notification

80 FR 55364 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Guidance for Industry on Drug Supply Chain Security Act Implementation: Identification of Suspect Product and Notification

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 178 (September 15, 2015)

Page Range55364-55371
FR Document2015-23203

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 (the PRA).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55364-55371]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23203]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2014-D-0609]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office 
of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Guidance for Industry 
on Drug Supply Chain Security Act Implementation: Identification of 
Suspect Product and Notification

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 (the PRA).

DATES: Fax written comments on the collection of information by October 
15, 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

[[Page 55365]]

OMB Control number 0910-NEW and title ``Guidance for Industry on Drug 
Supply Chain Security Act Implementation: Identification of Suspect 
Product and Notification.'' 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.

Guidance for Industry on Drug Supply Chain Security Act Implementation: 
Identification of Suspect Product and Notification (OMB Control Number 
0910--NEW)

    In the Federal Register of June 11, 2014 (79 FR 33564), FDA 
announced the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled 
``Drug Supply Chain Security Act Implementation: Identification of 
Suspect Product and Notification.'' The draft guidance addressed new 
provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), 
as amended by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). Section 202 
of the DSCSA adds section 582(h)(2) (21 U.S.C. 360eee-1(h)(2)) to the 
FD&C Act, which requires FDA to issue guidance to aid certain trading 
partners (manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, and 
dispensers) in identifying a suspect product and terminating 
notifications. The draft of this guidance identified specific scenarios 
that could significantly increase the risk of a suspect product 
entering the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain and provided 
recommendations on how trading partners can identify the product and 
determine whether the product is a suspect product as soon as 
practicable.
    Beginning January 1, 2015, section 582 of the FD&C Act requires 
trading partners, upon determining that a product in their possession 
or control is illegitimate, to notify (1) FDA and (2) all immediate 
trading partners that they have reason to believe may have received the 
illegitimate product, not later than 24 hours after making the 
determination. Manufacturers are additionally required under section 
582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(II) of the FD&C Act to notify FDA, and any immediate 
trading partners that the manufacturer has reason to believe may 
possess a product manufactured by or purported to be manufactured by 
the manufacturer, not later than 24 hours after the manufacturer 
determines or is notified by FDA or a trading partner that there is a 
high risk that a product is illegitimate. The draft guidance addressed 
how trading partners should notify FDA using Form FDA 3911. In 
addition, in accordance with section 582(h)(2) of the FD&C Act, the 
draft guidance sets forth the process by which trading partners must 
terminate the notifications using Form FDA 3911, in consultation with 
FDA, regarding illegitimate product and, for a manufacturer, a product 
with a high risk of illegitimacy, under section 582(b)(4)(B), 
(c)(4)(B), (d)(4)(B), and (e)(4)(B).
    Burden Estimates: Under section 202 of the DSCSA, manufacturers, 
repackagers, wholesale distributors, and dispensers (e.g., pharmacies) 
must: (1) Notify FDA when they have determined that a product in their 
possession or control is illegitimate (and, for manufacturers, when 
they have determined or been notified by FDA or a trading partner that 
a product has a high risk of illegitimacy); (2) notify immediate 
trading partners about an illegitimate product that they may have 
received (and, for manufacturers, a product with a high risk of 
illegitimacy); (3) terminate notifications regarding illegitimate 
products (and, for manufacturers, products with a high risk of 
illegitimacy), in consultation with FDA when the notifications are no 
longer necessary; and (4) notify immediate trading partners when the 
notifications are terminated.

1. Notifications to FDA

    Under section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(I), (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), 
and (e)(4)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act, and beginning not later than January 
1, 2015, a manufacturer, repackager, wholesale distributor, or 
dispenser who determines that a product in its possession or control is 
illegitimate, must notify FDA of that determination not later than 24 
hours after the determination is made. In addition, section 
582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(II) of the FD&C Act requires manufacturers to notify 
FDA when a manufacturer determines that a product poses a high risk of 
illegitimacy.
    FDA originally estimated that a total of approximately 5,000 
notifications per year would be made by all manufacturers, repackagers, 
wholesale distributors, and dispensers. This estimate included the 
notifications by trading partners who have determined that illegitimate 
product is in their possession or control, as well as notifications by 
manufacturers that have determined a product poses a high risk of 
illegitimacy. As discussed in the June 11, 2014, Federal Register 
notice, this estimate was based on FDA's experience with FARs (Form FDA 
3331) required to be submitted by holders of approved drug applications 
for certain drug quality issues (Sec.  314.81(b)(1) (21 CFR 
314.81(b)(1))), and with reports of the falsification of drug sample 
records, diversion, loss, and known theft of prescription drug samples 
as currently required under Sec.  203.37 (21 CFR 203.37). In response 
to the Federal Register notice, FDA received a comment from a trade 
association representing a primary stakeholder stating that the 
estimate of 5,000 notifications was too high based on experience of its 
members. In response to the comment, FDA reexamined the estimate of 
5,000 notifications. We determined that the 5,000 FARs and 5,000 sample 
reports under Sec.  203.37 received each year included initial, 
followup and final reports. While FDA does not know the exact number of 
notifications that will be submitted, we lowered the estimate to 1,000 
notifications in response to the comment and our reexamination of the 
data, and adjusted the PRA accordingly.
    FDA is combining the estimates for manufacturers and repackagers 
because FDA's establishment and drug product listing database indicates 
that many companies perform activities of both manufacturers and 
repackagers. While the DSCSA specifically defines dispensers, for 
estimation purposes, FDA is using estimates for pharmacies in general 
terms based on those that must comply with the new requirements under 
section 582(d) of the FD&C Act.
    Because, collectively, manufacturers, repackagers, and wholesale 
distributors are responsible for prescription drugs from the point of 
manufacturing through distribution in the drug supply chain, in the 
June 11, 2014, Federal Register notice, FDA assumed that most 
notifications of illegitimate products would be made by these three 
trading partners. FDA received a comment from a major stakeholder group 
stating that they believed that the number of notifications estimated 
for wholesale distributors was too high based on their past experience. 
The commenter speculated that most notifications would be made by 
manufacturers. In addition, manufacturers are the only stakeholder 
group required to submit notifications of high risk of illegitimacy. 
FDA originally estimated that approximately 50 percent of the 
notifications will be made by manufacturers and repackagers, 45

[[Page 55366]]

percent by wholesaler distributors, and 5 percent by pharmacies. In 
response to the comment and the fact that only manufacturers submit 
notifications of high risk of illegitimacy, FDA is changing the 
proportion that will be made by manufacturers and repackagers to 80 
percent (800), 16 percent by wholesale distributors (160), and 4 
percent by pharmacies (40).
    FDA estimates that the number of annual notifications will vary 
from 0-2 for manufacturers/repackagers, wholesale distributors, and 
pharmacies, with the vast majority of companies making no 
notifications. While the FDA establishment and drug product listing 
database currently contains registrations for approximately 6,500 
manufacturers and repackagers, we estimate that approximately 800 
manufacturers/repackagers will notify FDA of illegitimate product or a 
product with a high risk of illegitimacy an average of one time per 
year. While FDA estimates approximately 69,000 pharmacy sites in the 
United States, based on data from the National Association of Chain 
Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and the 
American Hospital Association, we estimate that approximately 40 
pharmacies will notify FDA of illegitimate product an average of one 
time per year. Because, according to Healthcare Distribution Management 
Association, approximately 30 wholesale distributors are responsible 
for over 90 percent of drug distributions, based on sales, and because 
FDA is estimating that over 2,200 small wholesale distributors might be 
responsible for the remaining 10 percent of drug sales, we estimate 
that distributors will be responsible for making an estimated 160 
notifications FDA will receive regarding illegitimate product.
    FDA intends to make Form FDA 3911 available on its Web page for 
trading partners to use to notify FDA. Each notification should include 
information about the person or entity initiating the notification, the 
product determined to be illegitimate, or to have a high risk of 
illegitimacy, and a description of the circumstances surrounding the 
event that prompted the notification. FDA estimates that each 
notification will take about 1 hour. The estimated total annual burden 
hours for making notifications to FDA is approximately 1,000 hours 
annually (table 1).

2. Notifications to Trading Partners of an Illegitimate Product or 
Product With a High Risk of Illegitimacy

    Under section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(I), (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), 
and (e)(4)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act, a trading partner who determines 
that a product in its possession is illegitimate must also notify all 
immediate trading partners that the trading partner has reason to 
believe may have received such illegitimate product of that 
determination not later than 24 hours after the determination is made. 
In addition, a manufacturer is required, under section 
582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(II) of the FD&C Act, to notify all immediate trading 
partners that the manufacturer has reason to believe may possess a 
product manufactured by or purported to be manufactured by the 
manufacturer not later than 24 hours after the manufacturer has 
determined or been notified by FDA or a trading partner that the 
product has a high risk of illegitimacy.
    Because the extent of distribution of any illegitimate product is 
likely to vary from one situation to another, FDA assumed a wide 
distribution of each illegitimate product. FDA estimates that for each 
notification made by a manufacturer or repackager to FDA, approximately 
30 trading partners (based on the number of distributors) will also be 
notified. This results in approximately 24,000 notifications annually 
to trading partners of manufacturers/repackagers. This estimate 
includes the notifications by manufacturers and repackagers who have 
determined that illegitimate product is in their possession or control, 
as well as notifications by manufacturers that have determined that a 
product poses a high risk of illegitimacy.
    FDA estimates that a large wholesale distributor may have up to 
4,500 trading partners, but a small wholesale distributor may have 200 
trading partners, for an average of approximately 2,350. FDA originally 
estimated that a wholesale distributor would notify all 2,350 trading 
partners for each of the illegitimate products identified. However, 
comments received from a trade association indicated that they believed 
this number was too high based on past experience. FDA has reduced the 
number of trading partners that a wholesale distributor would notify to 
50 percent resulting in the notification of 1,175 trading partners for 
each of the 160 notifications resulting in a total of 188,000 
notifications to trading partners.
    FDA estimates that a pharmacy purchases prescription drugs from an 
average of two wholesale distributors. Therefore, a pharmacy would 
notify 2 trading partners for each of the 40 illegitimate products 
identified, resulting in approximately 80 notifications annually to 
pharmacy trading partners.
    Manufacturers/repackagers, wholesale distributors, and pharmacies 
may notify their trading partners using existing systems and processes 
used for similar types of communications, which might include, but is 
not limited to, posting of notifications on a company Web site, 
telephoning, sending an email, or mailing or faxing a letter or 
notification. The information contained in the notification to the 
immediate trading partner should be the same as or based on the 
notification that was already submitted to FDA. FDA estimates that for 
all trading partners, each notification of immediate trading partners 
will take approximately 0.2 hours. The estimated total burden hours of 
making notifications to trading partners is approximately 42,416 hours 
annually (table 2).

3. Consultation With FDA and Termination of Notification

    Section 582(b)(4)(B)(iv), (c)(4)(B)(iv), (d)(4)(B)(iv), and 
(e)(4)(B)(iv) of the FD&C Act require that a trading partner, who 
determines in consultation with FDA that a notification made under 
section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii), (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), or 
(e)(4)(B)(ii) is no longer necessary, must terminate the notification. 
The guidance sets forth the process by which trading partners must 
consult with FDA to terminate notifications that are no longer 
necessary.
    FDA is making Form FDA 3911 available to trading partners on its 
Web page to request a termination of notification. Each request for 
termination of notification must include information about the person 
or entity initiating the request for termination, the illegitimate 
product or product with a high risk of illegitimacy, the notification 
that was issued, and an explanation about what actions have taken place 
or what information has become available that make the notification no 
longer necessary. Trading partners should also include the FDA-assigned 
incident number associated with the initial notification on the request 
for termination. The request for a termination will be viewed as a 
request for consultation with FDA. FDA estimates that the same amount 
of time will be required to provide the information necessary to 
request termination as is required to make the notification. The time 
required to investigate and resolve an illegitimate product 
notification will vary, but FDA assumes that each notification will 
eventually be terminated at some point. FDA assumes that the number of

[[Page 55367]]

requests for termination of a notification per year will be the same as 
the original number of notifications for a given year. The estimated 
total burden hours of making requests for termination of notifications 
to FDA is approximately 1,000 hours annually (table 3).

4. Notifications to Trading Partners That a Notification Has Been 
Terminated

    Section 582(b)(4)(B)(iv), (c)(4)(B)(iv), (d)(4)(B)(iv), and 
(e)(4)(B)(iv) of the FD&C Act require that a trading partner who, in 
consultation with FDA, terminates a notification made under section 
582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(I) or (II), (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), or 
(e)(4)(B)(ii) must also promptly inform previously-notified immediate 
trading partners that the notification has been terminated. FDA 
estimates that the burden for notifying trading partners of an 
illegitimate product and the number of trading partners notified will 
be the same as the estimates for notification of termination. The 
estimated total burden of notifying trading partners that the 
notification is terminated is approximately 42,416 hours annually 
(table 4).
    The total burden of drug notifications for all stakeholders is 
86,832 hours.
    In the Federal Register of June 11, 2014 (79 FR 33564), FDA 
published a 60-day notice requesting public comment on the proposed 
collection of information. FDA received comments on the draft guidance 
from 20 different organizations, companies, and individuals. The draft 
guidance provided scenarios that could increase the risk of a suspect 
product entering the supply chain and recommendations on how trading 
partners may identify products that may be suspect. The draft guidance 
also provided the process for notifying FDA and immediate trading 
partners when a trading partner has determined that a product is an 
illegitimate product or a manufacturer has determined that a product 
has a high risk of illegitimacy and the process for terminating those 
notifications in consultation with FDA. Many of the comments requested 
information about parts of the DSCSA that were not specifically covered 
by, nor intended to be covered by, the draft guidance, such as cleared 
product notifications, suspect product investigation, illegitimate 
product determinations, quarantine, and verifications, which FDA 
intends to address in other guidance or by other public means.
    Several commenters raised issues pertaining to the information 
collection provisions in the draft guidance and Form FDA 3911. FDA has 
clarified the process for making notifications and requests for 
termination to FDA in the final guidance. FDA also clarified several 
fields on Form FDA 3911 and the instructions for using Form FDA 3911 in 
response to comments received to the draft guidance. The issues raised 
by the commenters are addressed further in this document.
Scope-Related Issues
    Issue 1: Several comments were received requesting clarification 
about the scope of what is considered to be an illegitimate product or 
what constitutes a high risk of illegitimacy. For example, commenters 
requested clarification that a product may be determined to be 
illegitimate only as a result of fraud and not due solely to quality 
issues. Commenters also asked for a definition of high risk of 
illegitimacy.
    FDA Response to Issue 1: The purpose of this guidance is to provide 
a process for trading partners to submit notifications to FDA and 
immediate trading partners after the determination of illegitimacy or 
high risk of illegitimacy has been made and to submit requests for 
consultation to FDA to terminate a notification. To determine the scope 
of illegitimate products, trading partners should refer to the 
definition of illegitimate product in section 581(8) of the FD&C Act 
(21 U.S.C. 360eee(8)), which does not exempt quality issues. The 
current guidance has been amended to add scenarios to help 
manufacturers determine if a product has a high risk of illegitimacy. 
Please refer to Issue 14 for more information on ``high risk of 
illegitimacy.''
    Issue 2: Is it necessary to send a notification to FDA when an 
illegitimate product or product with high risk of illegitimacy can be 
dispositioned or contained quickly?
    FDA Response to Issue 2: Yes. Provisions of the DSCSA require 
trading partners to notify FDA when a determination has been made that 
a product is illegitimate, or for manufacturers, that a product has a 
high risk of illegitimacy. The amount of time it takes for a firm to 
control the product or manage the situation is not a factor in 
determining when a notification to FDA and other trading partners is 
required, i.e. not later than 24 hours after the determination is made 
that a product is illegitimate or has a high risk of illegitimacy.
    Issue 3: Many commenters asked if FDA was going to make either Form 
FDA 3911 or information about the notifications public.
    FDA Response to Issue 3: The notifications and requests for 
termination will be handled according to Agency regulations, the 
Freedom of Information Act, and other applicable disclosure law. In 
some cases, FDA may coordinate with the notifying person or entity and 
issue Agency public health alerts to protect the public health based on 
information received through drug notifications received under section 
582(b)(4)(B)(ii), (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and (e)(4)(B)(ii) of 
the FD&C Act.
Form FDA 3911 and Instruction-Related Issues
    Several commenters requested clarification of the instructions for 
filling out existing fields on Form FDA 3911 or requested additional 
information be added to Form FDA 3911 including additional fields.
    Issue 4: Commenters requested clarification about the fields on 
Form FDA 3911 to describe the product that is the subject of the 
notification. Specifically, commenters wanted clarification about the 
terms ``generic'' and ``trade'' names.
    FDA Response to Issue 4: FDA has clarified the names of these 
fields on Form FDA 3911 and the associated instructions. The field 
called ``Generic Name'' was changed to ``Name of Product as it appears 
on the label''. The field called ``Trade Name (if applicable)'' was 
changed to ``Primary Ingredients'' and the instructions were amended to 
request that the notifying person or entity list the active 
pharmaceutical or biological ingredients, if known, and if the 
information is not already listed in the ``Name of Product as it 
appears on the label'' field. These changes will clarify how the 
notifying person or entity should describe the product that is the 
subject of the notification.
    Issue 5: Several commenters wanted clarification about the fields 
on Form FDA 3911 for identification of company versus the reporter.
    FDA Response to Issue 5: FDA modified Form FDA 3911 to make it 
clearer that we want information about the company who is responsible 
for making the notification. The ``reporter'' is the person whom the 
FDA may contact for additional information about the notification. FDA 
considers the company with the illegitimate product in its possession 
or control, or a manufacturer that has made a determination that a 
product has a high risk of illegitimacy, to be the company that is 
responsible for making and terminating the notification, even if that 
company contracts with another person or entity to submit the 
notification on its behalf.

[[Page 55368]]

    Issue 6: Commenters asked about the term ``unique facility 
identifier'' since the D-U-N-S number is a corporate identifier not a 
facility identifier. The commenter requested that FDA clarify that it 
is asking for the unique ``Corporate'' and not ``Facility'' identifier.
    FDA Response to Issue 6: FDA uses a site specific identifier called 
the unique facility identifier (UFI) as a useful resource in 
identifying and confirming certain business information for the company 
responsible for making the notification. FDA currently prefers the D-U-
N-S number as the UFI. Since the commenters were confused about the 
term ``facility'', we clarified in the instructions to Form FDA 3911 
that the UFI for the company making the notification is the number 
being requested.
    Issue 7: Several commenters requested a notification reference 
number for identification purposes.
    FDA Response to Issue 7: FDA agrees with the commenters and has 
added a field for an incident number. FDA plans to assign an incident 
number when the initial notification is received. FDA will send the 
incident number in the response that confirms the receipt of the 
initial notification to the notifying person or entity. This incident 
number should be used in all future correspondence about the specific 
incident/event that is the subject of the initial notification, 
including any request for termination. The form, instructions, and 
process in the guidance have been amended to include the incident 
number. There is no additional burden to the company making the 
notification to include this number on any additional correspondence 
with FDA including the request for termination.
    Issue 8: Commenters requested the addition of an FDA contact be 
added to Form FDA 3911 for questions about the form.
    FDA Response to Issue 8: FDA has added a contact telephone number 
in addition to the email address previously provided on the Drug 
Notification Web page referenced in the guidance.
    Issue 9: Commenters requested a field to indicate that the company 
making the notification (wholesale distributor, repackager, or 
dispenser) has consulted with the manufacturer when determining whether 
a product is illegitimate.
    FDA Response to Issue 9: The DSCSA, section 582(c)(4)(B), 
(d)(4)(B), and (e)(4)(B), requires that wholesale drug distributors, 
dispensers, and repackagers coordinate with the manufacturer when 
determining whether a product is illegitimate. Form FDA 3911 should be 
used to submit a notification after the determination that a product is 
illegitimate is made. A separate field was not designated for this 
topic because the company making the notification may identify the 
manufacturer they coordinated within the ``For Notification, 
Description of Event/Issue'' Field. This option has been added to the 
instructions.
    Issue 10: Commenters requested a field on Form FDA 3911 to list all 
trading partners that they believe may possess the illegitimate 
product.
    FDA Response to Issue 10: FDA did not add a specific field to Form 
FDA 3911 for companies to list the names of trading partners that may 
have illegitimate product. While not required, a company may identify 
all trading partners that they believe may possess the illegitimate 
product in the ``Description of Event/Issue'' Field. Under the DSCSA, 
trading partners are responsible for making notifications to all 
immediate trading partners that they have reason to believe may have 
received such product.
    Issue 11: Commenters requested a space or field to list a case or 
report number associated with a Medwatch report or other report 
submitted to FDA.
    FDA Response to Issue 11: FDA agrees with commenters that it may be 
useful to know the report or case number for other required or 
voluntary submissions made to FDA about the same issue. This 
information may be included in the ``For Notification: Description of 
Event/Issue'' or ``For Request for Termination of Notification: 
Description of Why Notification is No Longer Necessary'' fields. FDA 
amended the instructions on Form FDA 3911 for notifying parties to 
provide this information if known.
    Issue 12: Commenters requested a check box to indicate that testing 
of the drug product was completed.
    FDA Response to Issue 12: FDA did not add a check box to indicate 
if testing was completed. However, the company making the notification 
or request for termination should provide this type of information in 
the fields, ``For Notification, Description of Event/Issue'' or ``For 
Request for Termination of Notification: Description of Why 
Notification is No Longer Necessary.''
    Issue 13: Commenters asked for clarification about the purpose of 
the ``drug use'' and ``drug description'' fields.
    FDA Response to Issue 13: The DSCSA applies to prescription drugs 
for human use. Including these fields helps FDA confirm that the DSCSA 
requirement applies to the product(s) subject to the notification. The 
fields also provide flexibility for future use of this form in other 
contexts. FDA included an ``other'' option under the ``drug use'' field 
to choose if a drug has multiple approvals for use. An instruction to 
explain ``other'' when selected by a notifying person or entity was 
added. We have also included more choices under the ``drug 
description'' field to help FDA distinguish between products regulated 
by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and the Center for 
Biologics Evaluation and Research.
High Risk of Illegitimacy-Related Issues
    Issue 14: Several manufacturers requested clarification and 
specific information about how to document that a notification is for a 
product with ``a high risk of illegitimacy.'' Commenters also requested 
clarification on FDA's interpretation of ``high risk of illegitimacy.''
    FDA Response to Issue 14: In the draft guidance, FDA did not 
distinguish between illegitimate product notifications and high risk of 
illegitimacy notifications because the timing and process for these 
submissions is the same. However, because we received several comments, 
FDA has revised the guidance to specify the process for notifications 
for products with a ``high risk of illegitimacy'' that are required by 
the DSCSA to be submitted by manufacturers. The guidance provides 
direction for manufacturers on how to submit notifications for products 
with a high risk of illegitimacy. It also clarifies when products may 
have a high risk of illegitimacy. These clarifications do not affect 
our expected numbers of notifications or terminations, since the PRA 
estimates in the draft guidance already included products with a high 
risk of illegitimacy. FDA also amended the instructions for Form FDA 
3911 to indicate that manufacturers document a notification for product 
with a ``high risk of Illegitimacy'' in the ``For Notification, 
Description of Event/Issue'' field. FDA clarified the instructions for 
several other fields on Form FDA 3911 to indicate more clearly that 
they apply to both notifications for illegitimate products and for 
products with a high risk of illegitimacy.
Timing-Related Issues
    Issue 15: Commenters asked for clarification regarding the 
requirement to submit a notification within 24 hours of making the 
determination that a product is illegitimate or has a high risk of 
illegitimacy.
    FDA Response to Issue 15: The DSCSA specifies that notifications 
are to

[[Page 55369]]

be submitted no later than 24 hours after making the determination that 
a product in the possession or control of the trading partner is 
illegitimate. This same timeframe also applies to manufacturers 
notifying FDA and other trading partners when they determine that a 
product has a high risk of illegitimacy. This timeframe will help 
prevent or limit illegitimate product or product with a high risk of 
illegitimacy from entering or being further distributed in the U.S. 
supply chain.
    Issue 16: Several commenters indicated that a 10-day timeframe for 
FDA to provide a consultation in response to a request for termination 
is too long and could result in drug shortages. Commenters stated that 
the process for requesting expedited consultation was unclear.
    FDA Response to Issue 16: FDA will review and consult with 
notifying parties regarding requests for termination as soon as 
possible. The timing of FDA's review and consultation will depend on 
the number of requests and the circumstances surrounding the requests 
for termination that are received. Since notifications under the DSCSA 
are submitted to FDA when it has been determined by trading partners 
that a product is illegitimate or by manufacturers that a product has a 
high risk of illegitimacy, in many cases, these products would be 
counterfeit, intentionally adulterated, diverted, stolen, or otherwise 
unfit for further distribution and would likely not be further 
distributed. As FDA indicated in the draft guidance, FDA will consider 
requests for expedited review when included with a request for 
termination. We have clarified the process for requesting expedited 
review by adding an instruction to Form FDA 3911 directing the company 
that is requesting termination to also request and justify the need for 
expedited review when explaining why the notification is no longer 
necessary.
Duplication of Submission-Related Issues
    Issue 17: Comments were received requesting an explanation of why 
the development of Form FDA 3911 was necessary instead of using the 
standard FAR for notifications under the DSCSA.
    FDA Response to Issue 17: The FAR is a required postmarketing 
report made by an application holder (new drug or generic drug) when 
there is a problem, generally a quality problem, associated with a drug 
as outlined in Sec.  314.81(b)(1). FDA developed Form FDA 3911 because 
the FAR form was inadequate for making notifications required under the 
DSCSA for a product that is illegitimate or has a high risk of 
illegitimacy for a reason not necessarily related to product quality or 
otherwise described in Sec.  314.81(b)(1) (e.g., diverted, stolen, 
etc.). In addition, only applicant holders are required to submit the 
FAR to FDA. Illegitimate product notifications are required to be sent 
to FDA by manufacturers, repackagers, distributors, and dispensers. 
Notifications of products with a high risk of illegitimacy are also 
required to be submitted by manufacturers. It is not known how 
frequently the same incident will generate submission of a FAR and Form 
FDA 3911 notifications. FDA is collecting information on FDA Form 3911 
that will enable us to quantify duplication of submissions.
    Issue 18: Commenters requested clarification about whether every 
trading partner should submit a separate notification to FDA about the 
same illegitimate product.
    FDA Response to Issue 18: The DSCSA (section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii), 
(c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and (e)(4)(B)(ii)) requires that certain 
trading partners (manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, 
and dispensers) with illegitimate product in their possession or 
control submit a notification. Trading partners should submit 
notifications as required by the relevant statutory provisions.
    Issue 19: Commenters requested clarification about whether they are 
required to submit a notification to FDA if they are notified of a 
suspect or illegitimate product by FDA and determine that they have it 
in their possession or control.
    FDA Response to Issue 19: The DSCSA (section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii), 
(c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and (e)(4)(B)(ii)) requires certain 
trading partners (manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, 
and dispensers) to submit an illegitimate product notification to FDA 
if a trading partner determines that it has illegitimate product in its 
possession or control.
Notifying Trading Partners-Related Issues
    Issue 20: Several comments asked for clarification about the 
process for notifying trading partners of an illegitimate product. 
Commenters stated that FDA should clarify that existing systems and 
processes can be used to make notifications to trading partners as well 
as informing them of terminations of such notifications.
    FDA Response to Issue 20: In the draft guidance, FDA specified that 
existing processes and systems can be used to inform trading partners 
that a notification has been terminated. FDA agrees with the comments 
received and has added to the final guidance that trading partners can 
use existing systems and processes to provide notification to trading 
partners that they believe may have received the illegitimate product 
or a product with high risk of illegitimacy.
    Issue 21: A commenter requested that FDA develop a system that 
would allow for notification of FDA and other trading partners at the 
same time.
    FDA Response to Issue 21: Manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale 
distributors, and dispensers with illegitimate product or manufacturers 
that determine that a product has a high risk of illegitimacy are 
responsible for notifying their trading partners in addition to FDA. 
FDA developed a process for trading partners to use to notify FDA using 
Form FDA 3911. As clarified in the guidance and Issue 20, the notifying 
person or entity can use its existing systems and processes to provide 
the necessary notification to trading partners. If preferred, the 
notifying person or entity may provide a copy of Form FDA 3911 to other 
trading partners in addition to FDA to meet that requirement.
    Issue 22: A commenter asked for clarification if dispensers' 
immediate trading partners include other pharmacies in the same group 
of chain pharmacies as well as the wholesale distributor or 
manufacturer from whom the dispenser purchased drug.
    FDA Response to Issue 22: The intent of the notification provisions 
in the DSCSA is to prevent illegitimate product entering or being 
further distributed into the supply chain to protect public health. FDA 
expects that a dispenser that has illegitimate product in its 
possession or control would let the other trading partners know about 
such illegitimate product if the dispenser has reason to believe that 
they might have possession or control of the same product. This 
analysis will be situation-specific. FDA refers the commenter to the 
definition of ``trading partner'' in section 581(23) of the FD&C Act 
and the definition of ``dispenser'' in section 581(3) of the FD&C Act.
Termination Process-Related Issues
    Issue 23: One commenter stated that FDA should publish guidance on 
criteria to terminate a notification so that the FDA does not have to 
play ``gatekeeper'' for the termination of a notification.
    FDA Response to Issue 23: The DSCSA (section 582(b)(4)(B)(iv), 
(c)(4)(B)(iv), (d)(4)(B)(iv), and (e)(4)(B)(iv) of FD&C Act) requires 
that a notification be terminated in

[[Page 55370]]

consultation with FDA. This guidance addresses the process by which 
trading partners should use Form FDA 3911 to make requests for 
termination, and the form will serve as a request to consult with FDA.
    Issue 24: Comments were received asking for clarification about 
which entities could request to terminate a notification. Several 
commenters thought that FDA should be able to self-initiate a 
termination. Other commenters suggested that the request for 
termination could be made by any involved trading partner and not 
limited to the trading partner making the initial notification.
    FDA Response to Issue 24: FDA believes that the trading partner 
making the notification should be responsible for making the request 
for termination because it knows if the illegitimate product in its 
possession or control has been satisfactorily dispositioned and if the 
notification is no longer necessary. The process in the guidance has 
been amended to clarify this point. The guidance does not specify a 
process for trading partners to terminate notifications submitted by 
other trading partners.
PRA Analysis Related Issues
    Issue 25: One commenter stated that the estimates in the PRA 
analysis did not take into account the time it takes to investigate and 
make the determination that a product is illegitimate. It only included 
the time to fill out the form and notify trading partners.
    FDA Response to Issue 25: While the commenter's assessment is 
correct, the PRA analysis in this guidance was calculated for the 
process for making and terminating notifications to FDA and notifying 
immediate trading partners who are believed to have the drug. This 
guidance assumes that the determination has already been made that the 
drug is illegitimate or has a high risk of illegitimacy. FDA intends to 
publish additional guidance that will address the investigation of 
suspect product to determine whether the product is illegitimate. The 
PRA analysis for those activities will be covered at that time.
    Issue 26: One commenter stated that, based on its experience, FDA 
estimates for notifications are high.
    FDA Response to Issue 26: FDA reexamined the estimate of 
notifications in response to this comment. FDA originally estimated 
that a total of approximately 5,000 notifications per year would be 
made by all manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, and 
dispensers based on FDA's experience with FARs (Form FDA 3331) required 
to be submitted by holders of approved drug applications for certain 
issues specified by Sec.  314.81(b)(1), and with reports of the 
falsification of drug sample records, diversion, loss, and known theft 
of prescription drug samples as currently required under Sec.  203.37. 
We determined that the 5,000 FARs and 5,000 sample reporting under 
Sec.  203.37 received each year included initial, followup, and final 
reports. While FDA does not know the exact number of notifications that 
will be submitted, we lowered the estimate to 1,000 notifications in 
response to the comment and our reexamination of the data and adjusted 
the PRA analysis accordingly.
    Issue 27: Commenters stated that the FDA estimated number of 
trading partners that would likely have the illegitimate product and 
have to be notified was high.
    FDA Response to Issue 27: FDA recognizes that not every trading 
partner will possess illegitimate product. However, until serialization 
is required and implemented, the initial notifying person or entity may 
not be able to identify which specific immediate trading partners may 
possess or control illegitimate product. FDA assumed that the initial 
notifying person or entity would notify all trading partners and we 
have chosen not to amend the number of trading partners that are 
notified at this time.
    Issue 28: A major stakeholder association stated that it did not 
believe, based on past experience, that wholesale distributors would be 
making as many notifications as FDA estimated both to FDA and to 
trading partners.
    FDA Response to Issue 28: In the original estimates, FDA assumed 
that most notifications will be made by three trading partners, 
manufacturers, repackagers, and wholesale distributors. FDA reexamined 
the proportion of notification expected from each of the regulated 
groups. The commenter had speculated that it believed that 
manufacturers would be making most notifications. In addition, 
manufacturers are required to submit notifications of high risk of 
illegitimacy. In response to the comment and the fact that only 
manufacturers submit notifications of high risk of illegitimacy, FDA is 
changing the proportion of notifications that will be made by 
manufacturers and repackagers from 50 percent to 80 percent (800), from 
45 percent to 16 percent by wholesale distributors (160), and 5 percent 
to 4 percent by pharmacies (40). FDA had also originally assumed that 
wholesale distributors would have to notify an average of 2,350 trading 
partners for each notification. We agree with the commenters that this 
was an overestimation and have lowered the number of trading partners 
to be notified by wholesale distributors to 1,175 (50 percent) for each 
notification.
    Description of Respondents: Respondents are drug manufacturers, 
repackagers, wholesale distributors, and dispensers and might include 
small businesses in these categories.

                                 Table 1--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of                        Average
      Notifications to FDA           Number of     responses per   Total annual     burden per      Total hours
                                    respondents     respondent       responses       response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturers and Repackagers...             800               1             800               1             800
Wholesale Distributors..........             160               1             160               1             160
Dispensers......................              40               1              40               1              40
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............           1,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.


[[Page 55371]]


                           Table 2--Estimated Annual Third-Party Disclosure Burden \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Notifications to trading                        Number of
 partners of an illegitimate      Number of     disclosures per   Total annual    Average burden    Total hours
           product               respondents      respondent       disclosures    per disclosure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturers and Repackagers             800                30          24,000  0.20 (12                   4800
                                                                                  minutes).
Wholesale Distributors.......             160             1,175         188,000  0.20 (12                 37,600
                                                                                  minutes).
Dispensers...................              40                 2              80  0.20 (12                     16
                                                                                  minutes).
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  ..............  ................  ..............  ...............          42,416
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.


                                 Table 3--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of                        Average
    Consultation with FDA and        Number of     responses per   Total annual     burden per      Total hours
   termination of notification      respondents     respondent       responses       response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturers and Repackagers...             800               1             800               1             800
Wholesale Distributors..........             160               1             160               1             160
Dispensers......................              40               1              40               1              40
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............           1,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.


                           Table 4--Estimated Annual Third-Party Disclosure Burden \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Notifications to trading                        Number of
 partners of an illegitimate      Number of     disclosures per   Total annual    Average burden    Total hours
     product termination         respondents      respondent       disclosures    per disclosure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturers and Repackagers             800                30          24,000  0.20 (12                   4800
                                                                                  minutes).
Wholesale Distributors.......             160             1,175         188,000  0.20 (12                 37,600
                                                                                  minutes).
Dispensers...................              40                 2              80  0.20 (12                     16
                                                                                  minutes).
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  ..............  ................  ..............  ...............          42,416
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.


    Dated: September 10, 2015.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-23203 Filed 9-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P



                                                  55364                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                                                                         ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS—Continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Number of                 Average              Total
                                                                                                       DSW/                                                                           Number of              responses              burden per
                                                      Type of respondents                                                                         Form name                                                                                               burden
                                                                                                    Organization                                                                     respondents                per                  response              hours
                                                                                                                                                                                                            respondent               (in hours)

                                                  Healthcare Organization                Nursing .............................         Online Survey with                                           67                        1              30/60                 33
                                                    Representatives.                                                                     Healthcare Organization
                                                                                                                                         Representatives.
                                                  Nurses and Nursing Stu-                Nursing .............................         Brief Online Questionnaire                               2,934                        1               10/60             489
                                                    dents.                                                                               for Nursing Organization
                                                                                                                                         Memberships.
                                                  Physicians and students in             Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    Avatar Training Satisfac-                               1,200                          1                6/60            120
                                                    allied health professions.                                                           tion Survey.
                                                  Students in allied health              Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    Proficiency Ratings                                        600                         1                6/60                60
                                                    professions.                                                                         Scale—Standardized
                                                                                                                                         Patient Version.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    Proficiency Ratings                                        600                        1                 6/60                60
                                                                                                                                         Scale—Provider—Base-
                                                                                                                                         line.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    Proficiency Rating Scale—                                  600                        1                 2/60                20
                                                                                                                                         Provider—1 Month Fol-
                                                                                                                                         low-Up.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    FASD Training Event                                        124                         1                2/60                4
                                                                                                                                         Evaluation.
                                                  Residency Directors, Train-            Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    Pre- Assessment of Train-                                    14                       1               30/60                 7
                                                    ing Coordinators, Clinic                                                             ing Implementation.
                                                    Directors.
                                                  Residency Directors, Train-            Obstetrics & Gynecology ..                    Post-Assessment of Train-                                    14                       1               30/60                 7
                                                    ing Coordinators, Clinical                                                           ing Implementation.
                                                    Directors, Physicians.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Pediatrics ..........................         FASD Core Training Sur-                                    120                        1               15/60                 30
                                                                                                                                         vey—Pediatrics 3 Month
                                                                                                                                         Follow-Up.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Pediatrics ..........................         Pediatrics DSW Baseline                                    535                         1                4/60                36
                                                                                                                                         Survey.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Pediatrics ..........................         Pediatrics DSW Year 4                                      535                        1                 4/60                36
                                                                                                                                         Survey.
                                                  Physicians .........................   Pediatrics ..........................         FASD Toolkit User Survey                                     50                       1               15/60                 13
                                                  Physicians .........................   Social Work & Family Phy-                     Family Medicine Com-                                         62                       1                8/60                  8
                                                                                           sicians.                                      prehensive Practice
                                                                                                                                         Evaluation.
                                                  Medical and allied health              National Organization on                      NOFAS Webinar Survey—                                      400                        1                 5/60                33
                                                   professionals.                          Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.                       Post-Test.
                                                  Medical and allied health              National Organization on                      NOFAS Webinar Survey—                                      400                        1                 5/60                33
                                                   professionals.                          Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.                       3 Month Follow-Up.
                                                  General public ...................     National Organization on                      NOFAS Outcomes Vi-                                            50                       1              10/60                  8
                                                                                           Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.                       gnette.

                                                       TOTAL ........................    ...........................................   ...........................................   ....................   ....................   ....................      4,524



                                                  Leroy A. Richardson,                                                 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                                      SUMMARY:   The Food and Drug
                                                  Chief, Information Collection Review Office,                         HUMAN SERVICES                                                                Administration (FDA) is announcing
                                                  Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the                                                                                                      that a proposed collection of
                                                  Associate Director for Science, Office of the                        Food and Drug Administration                                                  information has been submitted to the
                                                  Director, Centers for Disease Control and                                                                                                          Office of Management and Budget
                                                  Prevention.                                                          [Docket No. FDA–2014–D–0609]                                                  (OMB) for review and clearance under
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–23088 Filed 9–14–15; 8:45 am]                                                                                                        the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
                                                  BILLING CODE 4163–18–P                                               Agency Information Collection                                                 (the PRA).
                                                                                                                       Activities; Submission for Office of                                          DATES: Fax written comments on the
                                                                                                                       Management and Budget Review;                                                 collection of information by October 15,
                                                                                                                       Comment Request; Guidance for                                                 2015.
                                                                                                                       Industry on Drug Supply Chain                                                 ADDRESSES: To ensure that comments on
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                       Security Act Implementation:                                                  the information collection are received,
                                                                                                                       Identification of Suspect Product and                                         OMB recommends that written
                                                                                                                       Notification                                                                  comments be faxed to the Office of
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Information and Regulatory Affairs,
                                                                                                                       AGENCY:         Food and Drug Administration,                                 OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, FAX:
                                                                                                                       HHS.                                                                          202–395–7285, or emailed to oira_
                                                                                                                       ACTION:         Notice.                                                       submission@omb.eop.gov. All
                                                                                                                                                                                                     comments should be identified with the


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices                                            55365

                                                  OMB Control number 0910–NEW and                         manufactured by or purported to be                    notifications by manufacturers that have
                                                  title ‘‘Guidance for Industry on Drug                   manufactured by the manufacturer, not                 determined a product poses a high risk
                                                  Supply Chain Security Act                               later than 24 hours after the                         of illegitimacy. As discussed in the June
                                                  Implementation: Identification of                       manufacturer determines or is notified                11, 2014, Federal Register notice, this
                                                  Suspect Product and Notification.’’ Also                by FDA or a trading partner that there                estimate was based on FDA’s experience
                                                  include the FDA docket number found                     is a high risk that a product is                      with FARs (Form FDA 3331) required to
                                                  in brackets in the heading of this                      illegitimate. The draft guidance                      be submitted by holders of approved
                                                  document.                                               addressed how trading partners should                 drug applications for certain drug
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FDA                    notify FDA using Form FDA 3911. In                    quality issues (§ 314.81(b)(1) (21 CFR
                                                  PRA Staff, Office of Operations, Food                   addition, in accordance with section                  314.81(b)(1))), and with reports of the
                                                  and Drug Administration, 8455                           582(h)(2) of the FD&C Act, the draft                  falsification of drug sample records,
                                                  Colesville Rd., COLE–14526, Silver                      guidance sets forth the process by which              diversion, loss, and known theft of
                                                  Spring, MD 20993–0002, PRAStaff@                        trading partners must terminate the                   prescription drug samples as currently
                                                  fda.hhs.gov.                                            notifications using Form FDA 3911, in                 required under § 203.37 (21 CFR
                                                                                                          consultation with FDA, regarding                      203.37). In response to the Federal
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In                           illegitimate product and, for a                       Register notice, FDA received a
                                                  compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, FDA                     manufacturer, a product with a high risk              comment from a trade association
                                                  has submitted the following proposed                    of illegitimacy, under section                        representing a primary stakeholder
                                                  collection of information to OMB for                    582(b)(4)(B), (c)(4)(B), (d)(4)(B), and               stating that the estimate of 5,000
                                                  review and clearance.                                   (e)(4)(B).                                            notifications was too high based on
                                                  Guidance for Industry on Drug Supply                       Burden Estimates: Under section 202                experience of its members. In response
                                                  Chain Security Act Implementation:                      of the DSCSA, manufacturers,                          to the comment, FDA reexamined the
                                                  Identification of Suspect Product and                   repackagers, wholesale distributors, and              estimate of 5,000 notifications. We
                                                  Notification (OMB Control Number                        dispensers (e.g., pharmacies) must: (1)               determined that the 5,000 FARs and
                                                  0910—NEW)                                               Notify FDA when they have determined                  5,000 sample reports under § 203.37
                                                                                                          that a product in their possession or                 received each year included initial,
                                                     In the Federal Register of June 11,                  control is illegitimate (and, for                     followup and final reports. While FDA
                                                  2014 (79 FR 33564), FDA announced the                   manufacturers, when they have                         does not know the exact number of
                                                  availability of a draft guidance for                    determined or been notified by FDA or                 notifications that will be submitted, we
                                                  industry entitled ‘‘Drug Supply Chain                   a trading partner that a product has a                lowered the estimate to 1,000
                                                  Security Act Implementation:                            high risk of illegitimacy); (2) notify                notifications in response to the
                                                  Identification of Suspect Product and                   immediate trading partners about an                   comment and our reexamination of the
                                                  Notification.’’ The draft guidance                      illegitimate product that they may have               data, and adjusted the PRA accordingly.
                                                  addressed new provisions in the Federal                 received (and, for manufacturers, a                      FDA is combining the estimates for
                                                  Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the                       product with a high risk of illegitimacy);            manufacturers and repackagers because
                                                  FD&C Act), as amended by the Drug                       (3) terminate notifications regarding                 FDA’s establishment and drug product
                                                  Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).                      illegitimate products (and, for                       listing database indicates that many
                                                  Section 202 of the DSCSA adds section                   manufacturers, products with a high                   companies perform activities of both
                                                  582(h)(2) (21 U.S.C. 360eee–1(h)(2)) to                 risk of illegitimacy), in consultation                manufacturers and repackagers. While
                                                  the FD&C Act, which requires FDA to                     with FDA when the notifications are no                the DSCSA specifically defines
                                                  issue guidance to aid certain trading                   longer necessary; and (4) notify                      dispensers, for estimation purposes,
                                                  partners (manufacturers, repackagers,                   immediate trading partners when the                   FDA is using estimates for pharmacies
                                                  wholesale distributors, and dispensers)                 notifications are terminated.                         in general terms based on those that
                                                  in identifying a suspect product and                                                                          must comply with the new requirements
                                                  terminating notifications. The draft of                 1. Notifications to FDA
                                                                                                                                                                under section 582(d) of the FD&C Act.
                                                  this guidance identified specific                          Under section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(I),                    Because, collectively, manufacturers,
                                                  scenarios that could significantly                      (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and (e)(4)(B)(ii)       repackagers, and wholesale distributors
                                                  increase the risk of a suspect product                  of the FD&C Act, and beginning not later              are responsible for prescription drugs
                                                  entering the pharmaceutical distribution                than January 1, 2015, a manufacturer,                 from the point of manufacturing through
                                                  supply chain and provided                               repackager, wholesale distributor, or                 distribution in the drug supply chain, in
                                                  recommendations on how trading                          dispenser who determines that a                       the June 11, 2014, Federal Register
                                                  partners can identify the product and                   product in its possession or control is               notice, FDA assumed that most
                                                  determine whether the product is a                      illegitimate, must notify FDA of that                 notifications of illegitimate products
                                                  suspect product as soon as practicable.                 determination not later than 24 hours                 would be made by these three trading
                                                     Beginning January 1, 2015, section                   after the determination is made. In                   partners. FDA received a comment from
                                                  582 of the FD&C Act requires trading                    addition, section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(II) of             a major stakeholder group stating that
                                                  partners, upon determining that a                       the FD&C Act requires manufacturers to                they believed that the number of
                                                  product in their possession or control is               notify FDA when a manufacturer                        notifications estimated for wholesale
                                                  illegitimate, to notify (1) FDA and (2) all             determines that a product poses a high                distributors was too high based on their
                                                  immediate trading partners that they                    risk of illegitimacy.                                 past experience. The commenter
                                                  have reason to believe may have                            FDA originally estimated that a total              speculated that most notifications
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  received the illegitimate product, not                  of approximately 5,000 notifications per              would be made by manufacturers. In
                                                  later than 24 hours after making the                    year would be made by all                             addition, manufacturers are the only
                                                  determination. Manufacturers are                        manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale                 stakeholder group required to submit
                                                  additionally required under section                     distributors, and dispensers. This                    notifications of high risk of illegitimacy.
                                                  582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(II) of the FD&C Act to                 estimate included the notifications by                FDA originally estimated that
                                                  notify FDA, and any immediate trading                   trading partners who have determined                  approximately 50 percent of the
                                                  partners that the manufacturer has                      that illegitimate product is in their                 notifications will be made by
                                                  reason to believe may possess a product                 possession or control, as well as                     manufacturers and repackagers, 45


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                                                  55366                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                  percent by wholesaler distributors, and                 of the FD&C Act, a trading partner who                notifications annually to pharmacy
                                                  5 percent by pharmacies. In response to                 determines that a product in its                      trading partners.
                                                  the comment and the fact that only                      possession is illegitimate must also                     Manufacturers/repackagers, wholesale
                                                  manufacturers submit notifications of                   notify all immediate trading partners                 distributors, and pharmacies may notify
                                                  high risk of illegitimacy, FDA is                       that the trading partner has reason to                their trading partners using existing
                                                  changing the proportion that will be                    believe may have received such                        systems and processes used for similar
                                                  made by manufacturers and repackagers                   illegitimate product of that                          types of communications, which might
                                                  to 80 percent (800), 16 percent by                      determination not later than 24 hours                 include, but is not limited to, posting of
                                                  wholesale distributors (160), and 4                     after the determination is made. In                   notifications on a company Web site,
                                                  percent by pharmacies (40).                             addition, a manufacturer is required,                 telephoning, sending an email, or
                                                     FDA estimates that the number of                     under section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(II) of the             mailing or faxing a letter or notification.
                                                  annual notifications will vary from 0–2                 FD&C Act, to notify all immediate                     The information contained in the
                                                  for manufacturers/repackagers,                          trading partners that the manufacturer                notification to the immediate trading
                                                  wholesale distributors, and pharmacies,                 has reason to believe may possess a                   partner should be the same as or based
                                                  with the vast majority of companies                     product manufactured by or purported                  on the notification that was already
                                                  making no notifications. While the FDA                  to be manufactured by the manufacturer                submitted to FDA. FDA estimates that
                                                  establishment and drug product listing                  not later than 24 hours after the                     for all trading partners, each notification
                                                  database currently contains registrations               manufacturer has determined or been                   of immediate trading partners will take
                                                  for approximately 6,500 manufacturers                   notified by FDA or a trading partner that             approximately 0.2 hours. The estimated
                                                  and repackagers, we estimate that                       the product has a high risk of                        total burden hours of making
                                                  approximately 800 manufacturers/                        illegitimacy.                                         notifications to trading partners is
                                                  repackagers will notify FDA of                             Because the extent of distribution of              approximately 42,416 hours annually
                                                  illegitimate product or a product with a                any illegitimate product is likely to vary            (table 2).
                                                  high risk of illegitimacy an average of                 from one situation to another, FDA
                                                                                                                                                                3. Consultation With FDA and
                                                  one time per year. While FDA estimates                  assumed a wide distribution of each
                                                                                                                                                                Termination of Notification
                                                  approximately 69,000 pharmacy sites in                  illegitimate product. FDA estimates that
                                                  the United States, based on data from                   for each notification made by a                          Section 582(b)(4)(B)(iv), (c)(4)(B)(iv),
                                                  the National Association of Chain Drug                  manufacturer or repackager to FDA,                    (d)(4)(B)(iv), and (e)(4)(B)(iv) of the
                                                  Stores, the National Community                          approximately 30 trading partners                     FD&C Act require that a trading partner,
                                                  Pharmacists Association, and the                        (based on the number of distributors)                 who determines in consultation with
                                                  American Hospital Association, we                       will also be notified. This results in                FDA that a notification made under
                                                  estimate that approximately 40                          approximately 24,000 notifications                    section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii), (c)(4)(B)(ii),
                                                  pharmacies will notify FDA of                           annually to trading partners of                       (d)(4)(B)(ii), or (e)(4)(B)(ii) is no longer
                                                  illegitimate product an average of one                  manufacturers/repackagers. This                       necessary, must terminate the
                                                  time per year. Because, according to                    estimate includes the notifications by                notification. The guidance sets forth the
                                                  Healthcare Distribution Management                      manufacturers and repackagers who                     process by which trading partners must
                                                  Association, approximately 30                           have determined that illegitimate                     consult with FDA to terminate
                                                  wholesale distributors are responsible                  product is in their possession or control,            notifications that are no longer
                                                  for over 90 percent of drug distributions,              as well as notifications by                           necessary.
                                                  based on sales, and because FDA is                      manufacturers that have determined                       FDA is making Form FDA 3911
                                                  estimating that over 2,200 small                        that a product poses a high risk of                   available to trading partners on its Web
                                                  wholesale distributors might be                         illegitimacy.                                         page to request a termination of
                                                  responsible for the remaining 10 percent                   FDA estimates that a large wholesale               notification. Each request for
                                                  of drug sales, we estimate that                         distributor may have up to 4,500 trading              termination of notification must include
                                                  distributors will be responsible for                    partners, but a small wholesale                       information about the person or entity
                                                  making an estimated 160 notifications                   distributor may have 200 trading                      initiating the request for termination,
                                                  FDA will receive regarding illegitimate                 partners, for an average of                           the illegitimate product or product with
                                                  product.                                                approximately 2,350. FDA originally                   a high risk of illegitimacy, the
                                                     FDA intends to make Form FDA 3911                    estimated that a wholesale distributor                notification that was issued, and an
                                                  available on its Web page for trading                   would notify all 2,350 trading partners               explanation about what actions have
                                                  partners to use to notify FDA. Each                     for each of the illegitimate products                 taken place or what information has
                                                  notification should include information                 identified. However, comments received                become available that make the
                                                  about the person or entity initiating the               from a trade association indicated that               notification no longer necessary.
                                                  notification, the product determined to                 they believed this number was too high                Trading partners should also include
                                                  be illegitimate, or to have a high risk of              based on past experience. FDA has                     the FDA-assigned incident number
                                                  illegitimacy, and a description of the                  reduced the number of trading partners                associated with the initial notification
                                                  circumstances surrounding the event                     that a wholesale distributor would                    on the request for termination. The
                                                  that prompted the notification. FDA                     notify to 50 percent resulting in the                 request for a termination will be viewed
                                                  estimates that each notification will take              notification of 1,175 trading partners for            as a request for consultation with FDA.
                                                  about 1 hour. The estimated total annual                each of the 160 notifications resulting in            FDA estimates that the same amount of
                                                  burden hours for making notifications to                a total of 188,000 notifications to trading           time will be required to provide the
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                                                  FDA is approximately 1,000 hours                        partners.                                             information necessary to request
                                                  annually (table 1).                                        FDA estimates that a pharmacy                      termination as is required to make the
                                                                                                          purchases prescription drugs from an                  notification. The time required to
                                                  2. Notifications to Trading Partners of                 average of two wholesale distributors.                investigate and resolve an illegitimate
                                                  an Illegitimate Product or Product With                 Therefore, a pharmacy would notify 2                  product notification will vary, but FDA
                                                  a High Risk of Illegitimacy                             trading partners for each of the 40                   assumes that each notification will
                                                     Under section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(I),                   illegitimate products identified,                     eventually be terminated at some point.
                                                  (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and (e)(4)(B)(ii)         resulting in approximately 80                         FDA assumes that the number of


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices                                                55367

                                                  requests for termination of a notification              process for making notifications and                  termination will be handled according
                                                  per year will be the same as the original               requests for termination to FDA in the                to Agency regulations, the Freedom of
                                                  number of notifications for a given year.               final guidance. FDA also clarified                    Information Act, and other applicable
                                                  The estimated total burden hours of                     several fields on Form FDA 3911 and                   disclosure law. In some cases, FDA may
                                                  making requests for termination of                      the instructions for using Form FDA                   coordinate with the notifying person or
                                                  notifications to FDA is approximately                   3911 in response to comments received                 entity and issue Agency public health
                                                  1,000 hours annually (table 3).                         to the draft guidance. The issues raised              alerts to protect the public health based
                                                                                                          by the commenters are addressed                       on information received through drug
                                                  4. Notifications to Trading Partners
                                                                                                          further in this document.                             notifications received under section
                                                  That a Notification Has Been
                                                  Terminated                                              Scope-Related Issues                                  582(b)(4)(B)(ii), (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii),
                                                                                                                                                                and (e)(4)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act.
                                                     Section 582(b)(4)(B)(iv), (c)(4)(B)(iv),                Issue 1: Several comments were
                                                  (d)(4)(B)(iv), and (e)(4)(B)(iv) of the                 received requesting clarification about               Form FDA 3911 and Instruction-Related
                                                  FD&C Act require that a trading partner                 the scope of what is considered to be an              Issues
                                                  who, in consultation with FDA,                          illegitimate product or what constitutes                 Several commenters requested
                                                  terminates a notification made under                    a high risk of illegitimacy. For example,             clarification of the instructions for
                                                  section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii)(I) or (II),                    commenters requested clarification that               filling out existing fields on Form FDA
                                                  (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), or (e)(4)(B)(ii)          a product may be determined to be                     3911 or requested additional
                                                  must also promptly inform previously-                   illegitimate only as a result of fraud and            information be added to Form FDA 3911
                                                  notified immediate trading partners that                not due solely to quality issues.                     including additional fields.
                                                  the notification has been terminated.                   Commenters also asked for a definition                   Issue 4: Commenters requested
                                                  FDA estimates that the burden for                       of high risk of illegitimacy.                         clarification about the fields on Form
                                                  notifying trading partners of an                           FDA Response to Issue 1: The purpose
                                                                                                                                                                FDA 3911 to describe the product that
                                                  illegitimate product and the number of                  of this guidance is to provide a process
                                                                                                                                                                is the subject of the notification.
                                                  trading partners notified will be the                   for trading partners to submit
                                                                                                                                                                Specifically, commenters wanted
                                                  same as the estimates for notification of               notifications to FDA and immediate
                                                                                                                                                                clarification about the terms ‘‘generic’’
                                                  termination. The estimated total burden                 trading partners after the determination
                                                                                                                                                                and ‘‘trade’’ names.
                                                  of notifying trading partners that the                  of illegitimacy or high risk of
                                                                                                          illegitimacy has been made and to                        FDA Response to Issue 4: FDA has
                                                  notification is terminated is
                                                                                                          submit requests for consultation to FDA               clarified the names of these fields on
                                                  approximately 42,416 hours annually
                                                                                                          to terminate a notification. To determine             Form FDA 3911 and the associated
                                                  (table 4).
                                                     The total burden of drug notifications               the scope of illegitimate products,                   instructions. The field called ‘‘Generic
                                                  for all stakeholders is 86,832 hours.                   trading partners should refer to the                  Name’’ was changed to ‘‘Name of
                                                     In the Federal Register of June 11,                  definition of illegitimate product in                 Product as it appears on the label’’. The
                                                  2014 (79 FR 33564), FDA published a                     section 581(8) of the FD&C Act (21                    field called ‘‘Trade Name (if
                                                  60-day notice requesting public                         U.S.C. 360eee(8)), which does not                     applicable)’’ was changed to ‘‘Primary
                                                  comment on the proposed collection of                   exempt quality issues. The current                    Ingredients’’ and the instructions were
                                                  information. FDA received comments                      guidance has been amended to add                      amended to request that the notifying
                                                  on the draft guidance from 20 different                 scenarios to help manufacturers                       person or entity list the active
                                                  organizations, companies, and                           determine if a product has a high risk                pharmaceutical or biological
                                                  individuals. The draft guidance                         of illegitimacy. Please refer to Issue 14             ingredients, if known, and if the
                                                  provided scenarios that could increase                  for more information on ‘‘high risk of                information is not already listed in the
                                                  the risk of a suspect product entering                  illegitimacy.’’                                       ‘‘Name of Product as it appears on the
                                                  the supply chain and recommendations                       Issue 2: Is it necessary to send a                 label’’ field. These changes will clarify
                                                  on how trading partners may identify                    notification to FDA when an illegitimate              how the notifying person or entity
                                                  products that may be suspect. The draft                 product or product with high risk of                  should describe the product that is the
                                                  guidance also provided the process for                  illegitimacy can be dispositioned or                  subject of the notification.
                                                  notifying FDA and immediate trading                     contained quickly?                                       Issue 5: Several commenters wanted
                                                  partners when a trading partner has                        FDA Response to Issue 2: Yes.                      clarification about the fields on Form
                                                  determined that a product is an                         Provisions of the DSCSA require trading               FDA 3911 for identification of company
                                                  illegitimate product or a manufacturer                  partners to notify FDA when a                         versus the reporter.
                                                  has determined that a product has a                     determination has been made that a                       FDA Response to Issue 5: FDA
                                                  high risk of illegitimacy and the process               product is illegitimate, or for                       modified Form FDA 3911 to make it
                                                  for terminating those notifications in                  manufacturers, that a product has a high              clearer that we want information about
                                                  consultation with FDA. Many of the                      risk of illegitimacy. The amount of time              the company who is responsible for
                                                  comments requested information about                    it takes for a firm to control the product            making the notification. The ‘‘reporter’’
                                                  parts of the DSCSA that were not                        or manage the situation is not a factor               is the person whom the FDA may
                                                  specifically covered by, nor intended to                in determining when a notification to                 contact for additional information about
                                                  be covered by, the draft guidance, such                 FDA and other trading partners is                     the notification. FDA considers the
                                                  as cleared product notifications, suspect               required, i.e. not later than 24 hours                company with the illegitimate product
                                                  product investigation, illegitimate                     after the determination is made that a                in its possession or control, or a
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                                                  product determinations, quarantine, and                 product is illegitimate or has a high risk            manufacturer that has made a
                                                  verifications, which FDA intends to                     of illegitimacy.                                      determination that a product has a high
                                                  address in other guidance or by other                      Issue 3: Many commenters asked if                  risk of illegitimacy, to be the company
                                                  public means.                                           FDA was going to make either Form                     that is responsible for making and
                                                     Several commenters raised issues                     FDA 3911 or information about the                     terminating the notification, even if that
                                                  pertaining to the information collection                notifications public.                                 company contracts with another person
                                                  provisions in the draft guidance and                       FDA Response to Issue 3: The                       or entity to submit the notification on its
                                                  Form FDA 3911. FDA has clarified the                    notifications and requests for                        behalf.


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                                                  55368                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                     Issue 6: Commenters asked about the                  whether a product is illegitimate. Form               also provide flexibility for future use of
                                                  term ‘‘unique facility identifier’’ since               FDA 3911 should be used to submit a                   this form in other contexts. FDA
                                                  the D-U-N-S number is a corporate                       notification after the determination that             included an ‘‘other’’ option under the
                                                  identifier not a facility identifier. The               a product is illegitimate is made. A                  ‘‘drug use’’ field to choose if a drug has
                                                  commenter requested that FDA clarify                    separate field was not designated for                 multiple approvals for use. An
                                                  that it is asking for the unique                        this topic because the company making                 instruction to explain ‘‘other’’ when
                                                  ‘‘Corporate’’ and not ‘‘Facility’’                      the notification may identify the                     selected by a notifying person or entity
                                                  identifier.                                             manufacturer they coordinated within                  was added. We have also included more
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 6: FDA uses a                  the ‘‘For Notification, Description of                choices under the ‘‘drug description’’
                                                  site specific identifier called the unique              Event/Issue’’ Field. This option has                  field to help FDA distinguish between
                                                  facility identifier (UFI) as a useful                   been added to the instructions.                       products regulated by the Center for
                                                  resource in identifying and confirming                     Issue 10: Commenters requested a                   Drug Evaluation and Research and the
                                                  certain business information for the                    field on Form FDA 3911 to list all                    Center for Biologics Evaluation and
                                                  company responsible for making the                      trading partners that they believe may                Research.
                                                  notification. FDA currently prefers the                 possess the illegitimate product.
                                                  D-U-N-S number as the UFI. Since the                       FDA Response to Issue 10: FDA did                  High Risk of Illegitimacy-Related Issues
                                                  commenters were confused about the                      not add a specific field to Form FDA                     Issue 14: Several manufacturers
                                                  term ‘‘facility’’, we clarified in the                  3911 for companies to list the names of               requested clarification and specific
                                                  instructions to Form FDA 3911 that the                  trading partners that may have                        information about how to document that
                                                  UFI for the company making the                          illegitimate product. While not required,             a notification is for a product with ‘‘a
                                                  notification is the number being                        a company may identify all trading                    high risk of illegitimacy.’’ Commenters
                                                  requested.                                              partners that they believe may possess                also requested clarification on FDA’s
                                                     Issue 7: Several commenters                          the illegitimate product in the                       interpretation of ‘‘high risk of
                                                  requested a notification reference                      ‘‘Description of Event/Issue’’ Field.                 illegitimacy.’’
                                                  number for identification purposes.                     Under the DSCSA, trading partners are                    FDA Response to Issue 14: In the draft
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 7: FDA agrees                  responsible for making notifications to               guidance, FDA did not distinguish
                                                  with the commenters and has added a                     all immediate trading partners that they              between illegitimate product
                                                  field for an incident number. FDA plans                 have reason to believe may have                       notifications and high risk of
                                                  to assign an incident number when the                   received such product.                                illegitimacy notifications because the
                                                  initial notification is received. FDA will                 Issue 11: Commenters requested a                   timing and process for these
                                                  send the incident number in the                         space or field to list a case or report               submissions is the same. However,
                                                  response that confirms the receipt of the               number associated with a Medwatch                     because we received several comments,
                                                  initial notification to the notifying                   report or other report submitted to FDA.              FDA has revised the guidance to specify
                                                  person or entity. This incident number                     FDA Response to Issue 11: FDA agrees               the process for notifications for products
                                                  should be used in all future                            with commenters that it may be useful                 with a ‘‘high risk of illegitimacy’’ that
                                                  correspondence about the specific                       to know the report or case number for                 are required by the DSCSA to be
                                                  incident/event that is the subject of the               other required or voluntary submissions               submitted by manufacturers. The
                                                  initial notification, including any                     made to FDA about the same issue. This                guidance provides direction for
                                                  request for termination. The form,                      information may be included in the                    manufacturers on how to submit
                                                  instructions, and process in the                        ‘‘For Notification: Description of Event/             notifications for products with a high
                                                  guidance have been amended to include                   Issue’’ or ‘‘For Request for Termination              risk of illegitimacy. It also clarifies
                                                  the incident number. There is no                        of Notification: Description of Why                   when products may have a high risk of
                                                  additional burden to the company                        Notification is No Longer Necessary’’                 illegitimacy. These clarifications do not
                                                  making the notification to include this                 fields. FDA amended the instructions on               affect our expected numbers of
                                                  number on any additional                                Form FDA 3911 for notifying parties to                notifications or terminations, since the
                                                  correspondence with FDA including the                   provide this information if known.                    PRA estimates in the draft guidance
                                                  request for termination.                                   Issue 12: Commenters requested a                   already included products with a high
                                                     Issue 8: Commenters requested the                    check box to indicate that testing of the             risk of illegitimacy. FDA also amended
                                                  addition of an FDA contact be added to                  drug product was completed.                           the instructions for Form FDA 3911 to
                                                  Form FDA 3911 for questions about the                      FDA Response to Issue 12: FDA did                  indicate that manufacturers document a
                                                  form.                                                   not add a check box to indicate if testing            notification for product with a ‘‘high
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 8: FDA has                     was completed. However, the company                   risk of Illegitimacy’’ in the ‘‘For
                                                  added a contact telephone number in                     making the notification or request for                Notification, Description of Event/
                                                  addition to the email address previously                termination should provide this type of               Issue’’ field. FDA clarified the
                                                  provided on the Drug Notification Web                   information in the fields, ‘‘For                      instructions for several other fields on
                                                  page referenced in the guidance.                        Notification, Description of Event/                   Form FDA 3911 to indicate more clearly
                                                     Issue 9: Commenters requested a field                Issue’’ or ‘‘For Request for Termination              that they apply to both notifications for
                                                  to indicate that the company making the                 of Notification: Description of Why                   illegitimate products and for products
                                                  notification (wholesale distributor,                    Notification is No Longer Necessary.’’                with a high risk of illegitimacy.
                                                  repackager, or dispenser) has consulted                    Issue 13: Commenters asked for
                                                  with the manufacturer when                              clarification about the purpose of the                Timing-Related Issues
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                                                  determining whether a product is                        ‘‘drug use’’ and ‘‘drug description’’                   Issue 15: Commenters asked for
                                                  illegitimate.                                           fields.                                               clarification regarding the requirement
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 9: The DSCSA,                     FDA Response to Issue 13: The                      to submit a notification within 24 hours
                                                  section 582(c)(4)(B), (d)(4)(B), and                    DSCSA applies to prescription drugs for               of making the determination that a
                                                  (e)(4)(B), requires that wholesale drug                 human use. Including these fields helps               product is illegitimate or has a high risk
                                                  distributors, dispensers, and                           FDA confirm that the DSCSA                            of illegitimacy.
                                                  repackagers coordinate with the                         requirement applies to the product(s)                   FDA Response to Issue 15: The
                                                  manufacturer when determining                           subject to the notification. The fields               DSCSA specifies that notifications are to


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices                                           55369

                                                  be submitted no later than 24 hours after               or has a high risk of illegitimacy for a              agrees with the comments received and
                                                  making the determination that a product                 reason not necessarily related to product             has added to the final guidance that
                                                  in the possession or control of the                     quality or otherwise described in                     trading partners can use existing
                                                  trading partner is illegitimate. This same              § 314.81(b)(1) (e.g., diverted, stolen,               systems and processes to provide
                                                  timeframe also applies to manufacturers                 etc.). In addition, only applicant holders            notification to trading partners that they
                                                  notifying FDA and other trading                         are required to submit the FAR to FDA.                believe may have received the
                                                  partners when they determine that a                     Illegitimate product notifications are                illegitimate product or a product with
                                                  product has a high risk of illegitimacy.                required to be sent to FDA by                         high risk of illegitimacy.
                                                  This timeframe will help prevent or                     manufacturers, repackagers,                              Issue 21: A commenter requested that
                                                  limit illegitimate product or product                   distributors, and dispensers.                         FDA develop a system that would allow
                                                  with a high risk of illegitimacy from                   Notifications of products with a high                 for notification of FDA and other trading
                                                  entering or being further distributed in                risk of illegitimacy are also required to             partners at the same time.
                                                  the U.S. supply chain.                                  be submitted by manufacturers. It is not                 FDA Response to Issue 21:
                                                     Issue 16: Several commenters                         known how frequently the same                         Manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale
                                                  indicated that a 10-day timeframe for                   incident will generate submission of a                distributors, and dispensers with
                                                  FDA to provide a consultation in                        FAR and Form FDA 3911 notifications.                  illegitimate product or manufacturers
                                                  response to a request for termination is                FDA is collecting information on FDA                  that determine that a product has a high
                                                  too long and could result in drug                       Form 3911 that will enable us to                      risk of illegitimacy are responsible for
                                                  shortages. Commenters stated that the                   quantify duplication of submissions.                  notifying their trading partners in
                                                  process for requesting expedited                           Issue 18: Commenters requested                     addition to FDA. FDA developed a
                                                  consultation was unclear.                               clarification about whether every                     process for trading partners to use to
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 16: FDA will                   trading partner should submit a separate              notify FDA using Form FDA 3911. As
                                                  review and consult with notifying                       notification to FDA about the same                    clarified in the guidance and Issue 20,
                                                  parties regarding requests for                          illegitimate product.                                 the notifying person or entity can use its
                                                  termination as soon as possible. The                       FDA Response to Issue 18: The                      existing systems and processes to
                                                  timing of FDA’s review and consultation                 DSCSA (section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii),                      provide the necessary notification to
                                                  will depend on the number of requests                   (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and                     trading partners. If preferred, the
                                                  and the circumstances surrounding the                   (e)(4)(B)(ii)) requires that certain trading          notifying person or entity may provide
                                                  requests for termination that are                       partners (manufacturers, repackagers,                 a copy of Form FDA 3911 to other
                                                  received. Since notifications under the                 wholesale distributors, and dispensers)               trading partners in addition to FDA to
                                                  DSCSA are submitted to FDA when it                      with illegitimate product in their                    meet that requirement.
                                                  has been determined by trading partners                 possession or control submit a                           Issue 22: A commenter asked for
                                                  that a product is illegitimate or by                    notification. Trading partners should                 clarification if dispensers’ immediate
                                                  manufacturers that a product has a high                 submit notifications as required by the               trading partners include other
                                                  risk of illegitimacy, in many cases, these              relevant statutory provisions.                        pharmacies in the same group of chain
                                                  products would be counterfeit,                             Issue 19: Commenters requested                     pharmacies as well as the wholesale
                                                  intentionally adulterated, diverted,                    clarification about whether they are                  distributor or manufacturer from whom
                                                  stolen, or otherwise unfit for further                  required to submit a notification to FDA              the dispenser purchased drug.
                                                  distribution and would likely not be                    if they are notified of a suspect or                     FDA Response to Issue 22: The intent
                                                  further distributed. As FDA indicated in                illegitimate product by FDA and                       of the notification provisions in the
                                                  the draft guidance, FDA will consider                   determine that they have it in their                  DSCSA is to prevent illegitimate
                                                  requests for expedited review when                      possession or control.                                product entering or being further
                                                  included with a request for termination.                   FDA Response to Issue 19: The                      distributed into the supply chain to
                                                  We have clarified the process for                       DSCSA (section 582(b)(4)(B)(ii),                      protect public health. FDA expects that
                                                  requesting expedited review by adding                   (c)(4)(B)(ii), (d)(4)(B)(ii), and                     a dispenser that has illegitimate product
                                                  an instruction to Form FDA 3911                         (e)(4)(B)(ii)) requires certain trading               in its possession or control would let
                                                  directing the company that is requesting                partners (manufacturers, repackagers,                 the other trading partners know about
                                                  termination to also request and justify                 wholesale distributors, and dispensers)               such illegitimate product if the
                                                  the need for expedited review when                      to submit an illegitimate product                     dispenser has reason to believe that they
                                                  explaining why the notification is no                   notification to FDA if a trading partner              might have possession or control of the
                                                  longer necessary.                                       determines that it has illegitimate                   same product. This analysis will be
                                                                                                          product in its possession or control.                 situation-specific. FDA refers the
                                                  Duplication of Submission-Related
                                                                                                                                                                commenter to the definition of ‘‘trading
                                                  Issues                                                  Notifying Trading Partners-Related
                                                                                                                                                                partner’’ in section 581(23) of the FD&C
                                                     Issue 17: Comments were received                     Issues
                                                                                                                                                                Act and the definition of ‘‘dispenser’’ in
                                                  requesting an explanation of why the                       Issue 20: Several comments asked for               section 581(3) of the FD&C Act.
                                                  development of Form FDA 3911 was                        clarification about the process for
                                                  necessary instead of using the standard                 notifying trading partners of an                      Termination Process-Related Issues
                                                  FAR for notifications under the DSCSA.                  illegitimate product. Commenters stated                  Issue 23: One commenter stated that
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 17: The FAR                    that FDA should clarify that existing                 FDA should publish guidance on
                                                  is a required postmarketing report made                 systems and processes can be used to                  criteria to terminate a notification so
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                                                  by an application holder (new drug or                   make notifications to trading partners as             that the FDA does not have to play
                                                  generic drug) when there is a problem,                  well as informing them of terminations                ‘‘gatekeeper’’ for the termination of a
                                                  generally a quality problem, associated                 of such notifications.                                notification.
                                                  with a drug as outlined in § 314.81(b)(1).                 FDA Response to Issue 20: In the draft                FDA Response to Issue 23: The
                                                  FDA developed Form FDA 3911 because                     guidance, FDA specified that existing                 DSCSA (section 582(b)(4)(B)(iv),
                                                  the FAR form was inadequate for                         processes and systems can be used to                  (c)(4)(B)(iv), (d)(4)(B)(iv), and
                                                  making notifications required under the                 inform trading partners that a                        (e)(4)(B)(iv) of FD&C Act) requires that
                                                  DSCSA for a product that is illegitimate                notification has been terminated. FDA                 a notification be terminated in


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                                                  55370                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                  consultation with FDA. This guidance                                       that the drug is illegitimate or has a high                                 trading partners may possess or control
                                                  addresses the process by which trading                                     risk of illegitimacy. FDA intends to                                        illegitimate product. FDA assumed that
                                                  partners should use Form FDA 3911 to                                       publish additional guidance that will                                       the initial notifying person or entity
                                                  make requests for termination, and the                                     address the investigation of suspect                                        would notify all trading partners and we
                                                  form will serve as a request to consult                                    product to determine whether the                                            have chosen not to amend the number
                                                  with FDA.                                                                  product is illegitimate. The PRA                                            of trading partners that are notified at
                                                     Issue 24: Comments were received                                        analysis for those activities will be                                       this time.
                                                  asking for clarification about which                                       covered at that time.                                                          Issue 28: A major stakeholder
                                                  entities could request to terminate a                                         Issue 26: One commenter stated that,                                     association stated that it did not believe,
                                                  notification. Several commenters                                           based on its experience, FDA estimates                                      based on past experience, that
                                                  thought that FDA should be able to self-                                   for notifications are high.                                                 wholesale distributors would be making
                                                  initiate a termination. Other                                                 FDA Response to Issue 26: FDA                                            as many notifications as FDA estimated
                                                  commenters suggested that the request                                      reexamined the estimate of notifications                                    both to FDA and to trading partners.
                                                  for termination could be made by any                                       in response to this comment. FDA                                               FDA Response to Issue 28: In the
                                                  involved trading partner and not limited                                   originally estimated that a total of                                        original estimates, FDA assumed that
                                                  to the trading partner making the initial                                  approximately 5,000 notifications per                                       most notifications will be made by three
                                                  notification.                                                              year would be made by all                                                   trading partners, manufacturers,
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 24: FDA                                           manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale                                       repackagers, and wholesale distributors.
                                                  believes that the trading partner making                                   distributors, and dispensers based on                                       FDA reexamined the proportion of
                                                  the notification should be responsible                                     FDA’s experience with FARs (Form                                            notification expected from each of the
                                                  for making the request for termination                                     FDA 3331) required to be submitted by                                       regulated groups. The commenter had
                                                  because it knows if the illegitimate                                       holders of approved drug applications                                       speculated that it believed that
                                                  product in its possession or control has                                   for certain issues specified by                                             manufacturers would be making most
                                                  been satisfactorily dispositioned and if                                   § 314.81(b)(1), and with reports of the                                     notifications. In addition, manufacturers
                                                  the notification is no longer necessary.                                   falsification of drug sample records,                                       are required to submit notifications of
                                                  The process in the guidance has been                                       diversion, loss, and known theft of                                         high risk of illegitimacy. In response to
                                                  amended to clarify this point. The                                         prescription drug samples as currently                                      the comment and the fact that only
                                                  guidance does not specify a process for                                    required under § 203.37. We determined                                      manufacturers submit notifications of
                                                  trading partners to terminate                                              that the 5,000 FARs and 5,000 sample                                        high risk of illegitimacy, FDA is
                                                  notifications submitted by other trading                                   reporting under § 203.37 received each                                      changing the proportion of notifications
                                                  partners.                                                                  year included initial, followup, and                                        that will be made by manufacturers and
                                                                                                                             final reports. While FDA does not know                                      repackagers from 50 percent to 80
                                                  PRA Analysis Related Issues                                                the exact number of notifications that                                      percent (800), from 45 percent to 16
                                                     Issue 25: One commenter stated that                                     will be submitted, we lowered the                                           percent by wholesale distributors (160),
                                                  the estimates in the PRA analysis did                                      estimate to 1,000 notifications in                                          and 5 percent to 4 percent by
                                                  not take into account the time it takes                                    response to the comment and our                                             pharmacies (40). FDA had also
                                                  to investigate and make the                                                reexamination of the data and adjusted                                      originally assumed that wholesale
                                                  determination that a product is                                            the PRA analysis accordingly.                                               distributors would have to notify an
                                                  illegitimate. It only included the time to                                    Issue 27: Commenters stated that the                                     average of 2,350 trading partners for
                                                  fill out the form and notify trading                                       FDA estimated number of trading                                             each notification. We agree with the
                                                  partners.                                                                  partners that would likely have the                                         commenters that this was an
                                                     FDA Response to Issue 25: While the                                     illegitimate product and have to be                                         overestimation and have lowered the
                                                  commenter’s assessment is correct, the                                     notified was high.                                                          number of trading partners to be
                                                  PRA analysis in this guidance was                                             FDA Response to Issue 27: FDA                                            notified by wholesale distributors to
                                                  calculated for the process for making                                      recognizes that not every trading partner                                   1,175 (50 percent) for each notification.
                                                  and terminating notifications to FDA                                       will possess illegitimate product.                                             Description of Respondents:
                                                  and notifying immediate trading                                            However, until serialization is required                                    Respondents are drug manufacturers,
                                                  partners who are believed to have the                                      and implemented, the initial notifying                                      repackagers, wholesale distributors, and
                                                  drug. This guidance assumes that the                                       person or entity may not be able to                                         dispensers and might include small
                                                  determination has already been made                                        identify which specific immediate                                           businesses in these categories.

                                                                                                                TABLE 1—ESTIMATED ANNUAL REPORTING BURDEN 1
                                                                                                                                                                            Number of                                                Average
                                                                                                                                                 Number of                                            Total annual
                                                                               Notifications to FDA                                                                       responses per                                            burden per              Total hours
                                                                                                                                                respondents                                            responses
                                                                                                                                                                            respondent                                              response

                                                  Manufacturers and Repackagers .........................................                                       800                            1                       800                            1             800
                                                  Wholesale Distributors .........................................................                              160                            1                       160                            1             160
                                                  Dispensers ...........................................................................                         40                            1                        40                            1              40

                                                        Total ..............................................................................   ........................   ........................   ........................   ........................          1,000
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                                                     1 There    are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.




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                                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices                                                                                                   55371

                                                                                                  TABLE 2—ESTIMATED ANNUAL THIRD-PARTY DISCLOSURE BURDEN 1
                                                                                                                                              Number of
                                                    Notifications to trading partners of                        Number of                                                    Total annual
                                                                                                                                           disclosures per                                               Average burden per disclosure                          Total hours
                                                           an illegitimate product                             respondents                                                   disclosures
                                                                                                                                             respondent

                                                  Manufacturers and Repackagers ....                                          800                               30                    24,000         0.20 (12 minutes) ..........................                       4800
                                                  Wholesale Distributors .....................                                160                            1,175                   188,000         0.20 (12 minutes) ..........................                     37,600
                                                  Dispensers .......................................                           40                                2                        80         0.20 (12 minutes) ..........................                         16

                                                        Total ..........................................     ........................     ............................    ........................   ........................................................         42,416
                                                     1 There    are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

                                                                                                                TABLE 3—ESTIMATED ANNUAL REPORTING BURDEN 1
                                                                                                                                                                                Number of                                                 Average
                                                                                                                                                     Number of                                            Total annual
                                                      Consultation with FDA and termination of notification                                                                   responses per                                             burden per              Total hours
                                                                                                                                                    respondents                                            responses
                                                                                                                                                                                respondent                                               response

                                                  Manufacturers and Repackagers .........................................                                           800                              1                     800                            1              800
                                                  Wholesale Distributors .........................................................                                  160                              1                     160                            1              160
                                                  Dispensers ...........................................................................                             40                              1                      40                            1               40

                                                        Total ..............................................................................      ........................    ........................   ........................   ........................           1,000
                                                     1 There    are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

                                                                                                  TABLE 4—ESTIMATED ANNUAL THIRD-PARTY DISCLOSURE BURDEN 1
                                                                                                                                              Number of
                                                    Notifications to trading partners of                        Number of                                                    Total annual
                                                                                                                                           disclosures per                                               Average burden per disclosure                          Total hours
                                                    an illegitimate product termination                        respondents                                                   disclosures
                                                                                                                                             respondent

                                                  Manufacturers and Repackagers ....                                          800                               30                    24,000         0.20 (12 minutes) ..........................                       4800
                                                  Wholesale Distributors .....................                                160                            1,175                   188,000         0.20 (12 minutes) ..........................                     37,600
                                                  Dispensers .......................................                           40                                2                        80         0.20 (12 minutes) ..........................                         16

                                                        Total ..........................................     ........................     ............................    ........................   ........................................................         42,416
                                                     1 There    are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.


                                                    Dated: September 10, 2015.                                               of this ICR will be provided to OMB.                                              Abstract: The Maternal, Infant, and
                                                  Leslie Kux,                                                                OMB will accept further comments from                                           Early Childhood Home Visiting (Home
                                                  Associate Commissioner for Policy.                                         the public during the review and                                                Visiting) Program, administered by the
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–23203 Filed 9–14–15; 8:45 am]                                approval period.                                                                Health Resources and Services
                                                  BILLING CODE 4164–01–P                                                     DATES: Comments on this ICR should be                                           Administration (HRSA) in close
                                                                                                                             received no later than October 15, 2015.                                        partnership with the Administration for
                                                                                                                             ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                                                Children and Families (ACF), supports
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                                   including the Information Collection                                            voluntary, evidence-based home visiting
                                                  HUMAN SERVICES                                                             Request Title, to the desk officer for                                          services during pregnancy and to
                                                                                                                             HRSA, either by email to OIRA_                                                  parents with young children up to
                                                  Health Resources and Services                                              submission@omb.eop.gov or by fax to                                             kindergarten entry. The purpose of this
                                                  Administration                                                             202–395–5806.                                                                   formula grant program is to support the
                                                                                                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To                                             delivery of coordinated and
                                                  Agency Information Collection                                                                                                                              comprehensive voluntary early
                                                  Activities: Submission to OMB for                                          request a copy of the clearance requests
                                                                                                                             submitted to OMB for review, email the                                          childhood home visiting program
                                                  Review and Approval; Public Comment                                                                                                                        services and effective implementation of
                                                  Request                                                                    HRSA Information Collection Clearance
                                                                                                                             Officer at paperwork@hrsa.gov or call                                           high-quality evidence-based practices.
                                                  AGENCY: Health Resources and Services                                      (301) 594–4306.                                                                 All fifty states, the District of Columbia,
                                                  Administration, HHS.                                                                                                                                       and five territories and nonprofit
                                                                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                               Information Collection Request Title:                                         organizations that would provide
                                                  ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                                             Maternal, Infant, and Childhood Home                                            services in jurisdictions that have not
                                                  SUMMARY:  In compliance with Section                                       Visiting (Home Visiting) Program Fiscal                                         directly applied for or been approved
                                                                                                                                                                                                             for a grant are eligible for formula grants
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                                                  3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork                                             Year (FY) 2015, FY2016, FY2017 Non-
                                                  Reduction Act of 1995, the Health                                          Competing Continuation Progress                                                 and submit non-competing continuation
                                                  Resources and Services Administration                                      Report for Formula Grant OMB No.                                                progress reports annually. There are 56
                                                  (HRSA) has submitted an Information                                        0915–0355—Extension.                                                            jurisdictions eligible for formula awards
                                                  Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of                                    A 30-day notice was previously                                                and 56 formula awards are issued
                                                  Management and Budget (OMB) for                                            published on July 8, 2015, for this                                             annually.
                                                  review and approval. Comments                                              information collection request but it                                             Need and Proposed Use of the
                                                  submitted during the first public review                                   contained incorrect burden figures.                                             Information: This information collection


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:09:23
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:09:23
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 October 15, 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 55364 

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