80 FR 76514 - Anthrax Medical Countermeasures-Amendment
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 236 (December 9, 2015)
Office of the Secretary
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 236 (December 9, 2015)
| Page Range | 76514-76522 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31090 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 76514-76522] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31090] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary Anthrax Medical Countermeasures--Amendment ACTION: Notice of Amendment to the October 1, 2008, Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 76515]] SUMMARY: The Secretary is amending the declaration issued on October 1, 2008 (73 FR 58239) pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to: Include countermeasures authorized for use under sections 564A and 564B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3a and 360bbb-3b); revise the description of covered countermeasures and the disease threat; extend the effective time period of the declaration; reformat the declaration; modify or clarify terms of the declaration; and republish the declaration in its entirety, as amended. DATES: The amendment of the October 1, 2008, declaration is effective as of January 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20201, Telephone 202-205-2882. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (``the Secretary'') to issue a declaration to provide liability immunity to certain individuals and entities (``Covered Persons'') against any claim of loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the administration or use of medical countermeasures (``Covered Countermeasures''), except for claims that meet the PREP Act's definition of willful misconduct. The Secretary may, though publication in the Federal Register, amend any portion of a declaration. Using this authority, the Secretary issued a declaration for anthrax countermeasures against the agent Bacillus anthracis (``B. anthracis'') on October 1, 2008 and is amending this declaration.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 73 FR 58239. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The major actions taken by this amendment to the anthrax countermeasures declaration are the following: (1) Updating the description of covered countermeasures to include countermeasures authorized for use under sections 564A and 564B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act; \2\ (2) revising the description of covered countermeasures to clarify that coverage for vaccines includes all components and constituent materials of the vaccines, and all devices and their constituent components used in the administration of the vaccines and to accurately describe the types of countermeasures used against anthrax by deleting ``antitoxin'' and adding ``biologic'' to the section describing covered countermeasures; (3) revising the description of the disease threat and category of disease to refer to the ``spread of Bacillus anthracis and/or spores of Bacillus anthracis;'' (4) changing the description of qualified persons to include persons authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense covered countermeasures in accordance with Section 564A of the FD&C Act; (5) clarifying that liability immunity extends to ``other transactions'' and to activities related to any federal agreements including e.g., clinical trials agreements by adding the terms ``other transactions'' and ``other Federal agreements'' to the clause describing the types of federal agreements for which immunity is in effect; (6) deleting references to specific federal contracts to clarify that immunity is not limited to activities conducted under listed contracts; (7) clarifying that liability immunity extends to activities directly conducted by the federal government by adding the phrase ``or directly conducted by the Federal Government'' to the section describing methods of distribution for which liability immunity is in effect; (8) narrowing the definition of ``administration'' to cover ``slip-and-fall'' claims only to the extent they are directly tied to the operation of a countermeasure program; (9) extending the time period for which liability immunity is in effect for the Covered Countermeasures to December 31, 2022, and (10) changing the entire declaration to the new format that was first used with the February 29, 2012, amendment to the declaration for pandemic influenza to make the declaration easier for readers to follow. Other minor modifications and clarifications are also made, as more fully explained below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3a and 360bbb-3b. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The declaration is republished in full. We explain both the substantive and format changes in this supplementary section. The PREP Act was enacted on December 30, 2005, as Public Law 109- 148, Division C, Section 2. It amended the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, adding section 319F-3, which addresses liability immunity, and section 319F-4, which creates a compensation program. These sections are codified in the U.S. Code as 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d and 42 U.S.C. 247d- 6e, respectively. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA), Public Law 113-5, was enacted on March 13, 2013. Among other things, PAHPRA added sections 564A and 564B to the FD&C Act to provide new authorities for the emergency use of approved products in emergencies and products held for emergency use. PAHPRA accordingly amended the definitions of ``Covered Countermeasures'' and ``qualified pandemic and epidemic products'' in section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (the PREP Act provisions), so that products made available under these new FD&C Act authorities could be covered under PREP Act declarations. PAHPRA also extended the definition of qualified pandemic and epidemic products to include products or technologies intended to enhance the use or effect of a drug, biological product, or device used against the pandemic or epidemic or against adverse events from these products. Unless otherwise noted, all statutory citations below are to the U.S. Code. Section I, Determination of Public Health Emergency or Credible Risk of Future Public Health Emergency Before issuing a declaration under the PREP Act, the Secretary is required to determine that a disease or other health condition or threat to health constitutes a public health emergency or that there is a credible risk that the disease, condition, or threat may in the future constitute such an emergency.\3\ This determination is separate and apart from a declaration issued by the Secretary under section 319 of the PHS Act \4\ that a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency or that a public health emergency, including significant outbreaks of infectious diseases or bioterrorist attacks, otherwise exists, or other declarations or determinations made under other authorities of the Secretary. In the previous PREP Act declaration for anthrax countermeasures (``declaration''), this determination appeared in the declaration's introduction as the conclusion to the ``whereas'' clauses. The determination is now stated in the first section of the declaration. This change was made to improve readability and is not intended to have any substantive legal effect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1). \4\ 42 U.S.C. 247d. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, we made a substantive change to the determination. The determination made in the ``whereas'' clauses in the October 1, 2008, declaration stated that the Secretary ``determined there is a credible risk that the threat of exposure of B. anthracis and the resulting disease constitutes a [[Page 76516]] public health emergency.'' The Secretary is amending this determination: (1) To clarify that the threat posed is the spread of Bacillus anthracis and/or the spores of Bacillus anthracis and the resulting disease or condition; (2) to state that the threat may be in the future in order to be consistent with the language used in the PREP Act.\5\ Thus, in this amended declaration, the Secretary determines ``that there is a credible risk that the spread of Bacillus anthracis and/or the spores of Bacillus anthracis and the resulting disease or conditions may in the future constitute a public health emergency.'' This change is provided for clarification. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ See 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section II, Factors Considered In deciding whether and under what circumstances to issue a declaration with respect to a Covered Countermeasure, the Secretary must consider the desirability of encouraging the design, development, clinical testing or investigation, manufacture, labeling, distribution, formulation, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administration, licensing, and use of the countermeasure.\6\ We previously stated these considerations in the introductory ``whereas'' clauses to the declaration. The declaration now states these considerations in section II. We made this change to improve readability and do not intend that it have any substantive legal effect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(6). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section III, Recommended Activities The Secretary must recommend the activities for which the PREP Act's liability immunity is in effect. These activities may include, under conditions as the Secretary may specify, the manufacture, testing, development, distribution, administration, or use of one or more Covered Countermeasures (``Recommended Activities'').\7\ In the previous declaration, we included the Recommended Activities in section I of the declaration, ``Covered Countermeasures.'' The declaration now states them in section III. We made this change to improve readability and do not intend that it have any substantive legal effect. In addition, we deleted the term ``dispensing,'' as it does not appear in the PREP Act, changed ``and usage'' to ``or use'' for consistency with the statute, and deleted the phrase ``with respect to the category of disease and population described in sections II and IV below'' for consistency with formatting changes. These changes are not intended to have any substantive legal effect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section IV, Liability Immunity The Secretary must also state that liability protections available under the PREP Act are in effect with respect to the Recommended Activities.\8\ These liability protections provide that, ``[s]ubject to other provisions of [the PREP Act], a covered person shall be immune from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the administration to or use by an individual of a covered countermeasure if a declaration . . . has been issued with respect to such countermeasure.'' \9\ In the previous declaration, we included a statement referring to liability immunity under the PREP Act in section I of the declaration, ``Covered Countermeasures.'' The declaration now includes the statement that liability immunity is in effect for Recommended Activities in a separate section IV. We made this change to improve readability and do not intend that it have any substantive legal effect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1). \9\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section V, Covered Persons The PREP Act's liability immunity applies to ``Covered Persons'' with respect to administration or use of a Covered Countermeasure. The term ``Covered Persons'' has a specific meaning, and is defined in the PREP Act to include manufacturers, distributors, program planners, and qualified persons, and their officials, agents, and employees, and the United States.\10\ The PREP Act further defines the terms ``manufacturer,'' ``distributor,'' ``program planner,'' and ``qualified person'' as described below.\11\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d (i)(2). \11\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A manufacturer includes a contractor or subcontractor of a manufacturer; a supplier or licenser of any product, intellectual property, service, research tool or component or other article used in the design, development, clinical testing, investigation or manufacturing of a Covered Countermeasure; and any or all of the parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, and assigns of a manufacturer; \12\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ 42 U.S.C. 247d 6-d(i)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A distributor means a person or entity engaged in the distribution of drug, biologics, or devices, including but not limited to: Manufacturers; repackers; common carriers; contract carriers; air carriers; own-label distributors; private-label distributors; jobbers; brokers; warehouses and wholesale drug warehouses; independent wholesale drug traders; and retail pharmacies; \13\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(3). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A program planner means a state or local government, including an Indian tribe; a person employed by the state or local government; or other person who supervises or administers a program with respect to the administration, dispensing, distribution, provision, or use of a Covered Countermeasure, including a person who establishes requirements, provides policy guidance, or supplies technical or scientific advice or assistance or provides a facility to administer or use a Covered Countermeasure in accordance with the Secretary's declaration.\14\ Under this definition, a private-sector employer or community group or other person can be a program planner when it carries out the described activities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(6). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A qualified person means a licensed health professional or other individual who is authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense Covered Countermeasures under the law of the state in which the countermeasure was prescribed, administered, or dispensed; or a person within a category of persons identified as qualified in the Secretary's declaration.\15\ Under this definition, the Secretary can describe in the declaration other qualified persons, such as volunteers, who are Covered Persons. Section V describes other qualified persons covered by this declaration. The PREP Act also defines the word ``person'' as used in the Act: A person includes an individual, partnership, corporation, association, entity, or public or private corporation, including a federal, state, or local government agency or department.\16\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \15\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(8). \16\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(5). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The provisions regarding Covered Persons previously appeared in the declaration as a definition in section IX, ``Definitions'' and in section VI, ``Qualified Persons.'' We combined these two provisions into a new section V, ``Covered Persons'' and added ``to perform an activity'' to the description of ``Other Qualified Persons'' authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization for clarity. We made these changes to improve readability and clarity and do not intend them to have any substantive legal effect. We also modified the description of Covered Persons to include a new category of qualified persons: ``Any person authorized to prescribe, [[Page 76517]] administer, or dispense covered countermeasures in accordance with Section 564A of the FD&C Act.'' This change ensures that persons who prescribe, administer, or dispense covered countermeasures in accordance with section 564A of the FD&C Act are Covered Persons under the declaration. Section VI, Covered Countermeasures As noted above, section III describes the Secretary's Recommended Activities for which liability immunity is in effect. This section identifies the countermeasures for which the Secretary has recommended such activities. The PREP Act states that a ``Covered Countermeasure'' must be: A ``qualified pandemic or epidemic product,'' or a ``security countermeasure,'' as described immediately below; or a drug, biological product or device authorized for emergency use in accordance with section 564, 564A, or 564B of the FD&C Act.\17\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \17\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(1). Sections 564, 564A, and 564B of the FD&C Act may be found at 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3, 360bbb-3a, and 360bbb-3b. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A qualified pandemic or epidemic product means a drug or device, as defined in the FD&C Act or a biological product, as defined in the PHS Act \18\ that is: (i) Manufactured, used, designed, developed, modified, licensed or procured to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure a pandemic or epidemic or limit the harm such a pandemic or epidemic might otherwise cause; (ii) manufactured, used, designed, developed, modified, licensed, or procured to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition caused by such a drug, biological product or device; (iii) or a product or technology intended to enhance the use or effect of such a drug, biological product, or device.\19\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \18\ 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), (h); 42 U.S.C. 262(i). \19\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(1)(A), (i)(7). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A security countermeasure is a drug or device, as defined in the FD&C Act or a biological product, as defined in the PHS Act \20\ that: (i) (a) The Secretary determines to be a priority to diagnose, mitigate, prevent or treat harm from any biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent identified as a material threat by the Secretary of Homeland Security, or (b) to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm from a condition that may result in adverse health consequences or death and may be caused by administering a drug, biological product, or device against such an agent; and (ii) is determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be a necessary countermeasure to protect public health.\21\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), (h); 42 U.S.C. 262(i). \21\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(1)(B), (c)(1)(B). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be a Covered Countermeasure, qualified pandemic or epidemic products and security countermeasures also must be approved or cleared under the FD&C Act; \22\ licensed under the PHS Act; \23\ authorized for emergency use under sections 564, 564A, or 564B of the FD&C Act.\24\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \22\ 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq. \23\ 42 U.S.C. 262. \24\ 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3, 360bbb-3a, 360bbb-3b. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A qualified pandemic or epidemic product also may be a Covered Countermeasure when it is subject to an exemption (that is, it is permitted to be used under an Investigational Drug Application or an Investigational Device Exemption) under the FD&C Act \25\ and is the object of research for possible use for diagnosis, mitigation, prevention, treatment, cure or limit harm of a pandemic or epidemic or serious or life-threatening condition caused by such a drug or device. A security countermeasure also may be a Covered Countermeasure if it may reasonably be determined to qualify for approval or licensing within 10 years after the Department's determination that procurement of the countermeasure is appropriate. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ 21 U.S.C. 355(i), 360j(g). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Provisions regarding Covered Countermeasures previously appeared in section I of the declaration, ``Covered Countermeasures'' and section IX of the declaration, ``Definitions.'' Section I included not only a description of the Covered Countermeasure but also the Secretary's recommendation, statement regarding liability immunity, and additional conditions characterizing countermeasures. We have combined sections I and IX and simplified the language so that it now only identifies the Covered Countermeasures. We have relocated the other conditions previously included in the ``Covered Countermeasure'' section to new sections, ``Recommended Activities,'' ``Liability Immunity,'' and ``Limitations on Distribution,'' to improve readability. We do not intend for this change to have any substantive legal effect. Section I of the declaration also stated that the declaration applied to Covered Countermeasures administered or used during the effective time period of the declaration. We have deleted this language as it is redundant of the provisions stated in sections XII, ``Effective Time Period,'' and XIII, ``Additional Time Period of Coverage.'' Section I also stated that it applied to ``Covered Countermeasures (Appendix I), administered or used by or on behalf of the Department of Defense.'' As explained under ``Deletions,'' below, we deleted Appendix I. Correspondingly, we have deleted the reference that appeared in section I to DOD countermeasures listed in the appendix. We do not intend this change to have legal effect. Any Covered Countermeasures that are administered and used under the terms of this declaration, including those used by or on behalf of the Department of Defense, are covered by the declaration. We have also revised the definition and description of the Covered Countermeasure that previously appeared in sections I, ``Covered Countermeasures,'' and IX, ``Definitions.'' Section I referred to the statute for the definition of ``Covered Countermeasures,'' and section IX defined the term ``Anthrax Countermeasure'' as ``any vaccine; antimicrobial/antibiotic, other drug or antitoxin; or diagnostic or device to identify, prevent or treat anthrax or adverse events from such countermeasures (1) Licensed under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act; (2) approved under section 505 or section 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); (3) cleared under section 510(k) of the FDCA; (4) authorized for emergency use under section 564 of the FDCA; (5) used under section 505(i) of the FDCA or section 351(a)(3) of the PHS Act, and 21 CFR part 312; or (6) used under section 520(g) of the FDCA and 21 CFR part 812.'' We revised the description of anthrax countermeasures to clarify that coverage for vaccines includes components and constituent materials of the vaccines and device and constituent components used in administration of the vaccines. We also deleted the term ``antitoxin'' and added ``biologic'' to more accurately describe the types of countermeasures used against anthrax. The definition now reads: ``any vaccine, including all components and constituent materials of these vaccines, and all devices and their constituent components used in the administration of these vaccines; any antimicrobial/antibiotic; any other drug or biologic; or any diagnostic or other device to identify, prevent or treat anthrax or adverse events from such countermeasures''. These changes are intended as clarification. We also added a statement referencing the statutory definitions of Covered Countermeasures to make clear that these statutory definitions limit the scope of Covered Countermeasures. Specifically, we noted that they must be [[Page 76518]] ``qualified pandemic or epidemic products,'' or ``security countermeasures,'' or drugs, biological products, or devices authorized for investigational or emergency use, as those terms are defined in the PREP Act, the FD&C Act, and the Public Health Service Act.'' By referencing the statutory provisions, the revised definition also incorporates changes to the PREP Act definitions of covered countermeasure and qualified pandemic or epidemic product made by PAHPRA. Section VII, Limitations on Distribution The Secretary may specify that liability immunity is in effect only to Covered Countermeasures obtained through a particular means of distribution.\26\ These limitations on distribution previously appeared in section I, ``Covered Countermeasures,'' and section IX, ``Definitions.'' We now state the limitations in a separate section and combine them with relevant definitions for improved readability. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \26\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(5), (b)(2)(E). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The declaration now states that liability immunity is afforded to Covered Persons for Recommended Activities related to: (a) Present or future federal contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, interagency agreements, or memoranda of understanding or other federal agreements or activities directly conducted by the federal government; or (b) Activities authorized in accordance with the public health and medical response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction to prescribe, administer, deliver, distribute or dispense the Covered Countermeasures following a declaration of an emergency. For governmental program planners only, liability immunity is afforded only to the extent they obtain Covered Countermeasures through voluntary means, such as (1) donation; (2) commercial sale; (3) deployment of Covered Countermeasures from federal stockpiles; or (4) deployment of donated, purchased, or otherwise voluntarily obtained Covered Countermeasures from state, local, or private stockpiles. In regard to (a), we deleted a reference to Appendix I, added the phrase ``other transactions,'' which may be used for some Covered Countermeasure activities,\27\ added the phrase ``or other Federal agreements'' to clarify that the provision is intended to cover all types of federal agreements, and added the phrase ``or activities directly conducted by the Federal Government'' to clarify that activities such as manufacture of vaccines for clinical trials by the HHS National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center or distribution of countermeasures by federal employees are covered. We changed the conjunction ``and'' to ``or'' between (a) and (b) to clarify that immunity is available under either of these circumstances; the activities do not have to both relate to a federal award or agreement and be used in a public health and medical response in order for immunity to apply. The conjunction ``and'' used in the previous declaration was a drafting error; the Secretary's intent in that previous declarations has been the meaning conferred by the term ``or.'' Provisions (a) and (b) are intended to afford immunity to federal government conducted and supported activities that precede a public health emergency and to activities in accordance with all Authorities Having Jurisdiction during a declared public health emergency. These changes are intended as clarifications and to improve readability, and are not intended as substantive changes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \27\ See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. 247d-7d(c)(5). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In regard to (b), the meaning of the terms ``Authority Having Jurisdiction'' and ``Declaration of an Emergency'' remain unchanged. Finally, we slightly modified the last limitation by deleting extraneous statutory references and other language and by replacing the final sentence with the word ``only'' after ``planners'' to improve readability. We do not intend for the changes to this provision to alter its substantive legal effect. As stated in the ``whereas'' clauses of the prior declaration, this limitation on distribution is intended to deter program planners that are government entities from seizing privately held stockpiles of Covered Countermeasures. It does not apply to any other Covered Persons, including other program planners who are not government entities. Section VIII, Category of Disease, Health Condition, or Threat The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure, the categories of diseases, health conditions, or threats to health for which the Secretary recommends the administration or use of the countermeasure.\28\ This information previously appeared in section II, ``Category of Disease.'' We have modified the category of disease, health condition, or threat to also refer to exposure to Bacillus anthracis spores as a potential threat, so that the description reads: ``The category of disease, health condition, or threat to health for which I recommend the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures is anthrax, which may result from exposure to Bacillus anthracis and/or to Bacillus anthracis spores.'' This change is intended as clarification, and is not intended to be substantive. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \28\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(A). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section IX, Administration of Covered Countermeasures The PREP Act does not explicitly define the term ``administration'' but does assign the Secretary the responsibility to provide relevant conditions in the declaration. This definition previously appeared in section IX, ``Definitions.'' We have moved it to a separate section to improve readability. The Secretary has also narrowed the definition of ``administration'' that was previously provided in the declaration. The declaration previously defined the term ``administration'' to include physical provision of a Covered Countermeasure, as well as management and operation of systems and locations at which Covered Countermeasures may be provided to recipients: Administration of a Covered Countermeasure: As used in section 319F-3(a)(2)(B) of the Act includes, but is not limited to, public and private delivery, distribution, and dispensing activities relating to physical administration of the countermeasures to patients/recipients, management and operation of delivery systems, and management and operation of distribution and dispensing locations. The definition has been revised as follows: Administration of a Covered Countermeasure means physical provision of the countermeasures to recipients, or activities and decisions directly relating to public and private delivery, distribution and dispensing of the countermeasures to recipients; management and operation of countermeasure programs; or management and operation of locations for purpose of distributing and dispensing countermeasures. As clarified, the definition of ``administration'' extends only to physical provision of a countermeasure to a recipient, such as vaccination or handing drugs to patients, and to activities related to management and operation of programs and locations for providing countermeasures to recipients, such as decisions and actions involving security and queuing, but only insofar as those activities directly relate to the countermeasure activities. Claims for which Covered Persons are provided immunity under the Act are [[Page 76519]] losses caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the administration to or use by an individual of a Covered Countermeasure consistent with the terms of a declaration issued under the Act.\29\ Under the Secretary's definition, these liability claims are precluded if the claims allege an injury caused by physical provision of a countermeasure to a recipient, or if the claims are directly due to conditions of delivery, distribution, dispensing, or management and operation of countermeasure programs at distribution and dispensing sites. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \29\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thus, it is the Secretary's interpretation that, when a declaration is in effect, the Act precludes, for example, liability claims alleging negligence by a manufacturer in creating a vaccine, or negligence by a health care provider in prescribing the wrong dose, absent willful misconduct. Likewise, the Act precludes a liability claim relating to the management and operation of a countermeasure distribution program or site, such as a slip-and-fall injury or vehicle collision by a recipient receiving a countermeasure at a retail store serving as an administration or dispensing location that alleges, for example, lax security or chaotic crowd control. However, a liability claim alleging an injury occurring at the site that was not directly related to the countermeasure activities is not covered, such as a slip and fall with no direct connection to the countermeasure's administration or use. In each case, whether immunity is applicable will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. Section X, Population The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure specified in a declaration, the population or populations of individuals for which liability immunity is in effect with respect to administration or use of the countermeasure.\30\ This section explains which individuals should use the countermeasure or to whom the countermeasure should be administered--in short, those who should be vaccinated or take a drug or other countermeasure. These provisions previously appeared in section IV, ``Population.'' The previous declaration stated that the population specified included: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \30\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(C). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The populations specified in this declaration are all persons who use a Covered Countermeasure or to whom a Covered Countermeasure is administered in accordance with this declaration, including, but not limited to: Department of Defense military personnel and supporting civilian-employee and contractor personnel; any person conducting research and development of Covered Countermeasures directly by the Federal government or pursuant to a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with the Federal government; any person who receives a Covered Countermeasure from persons authorized in accordance with the public health and medical emergency response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction to prescribe, administer, deliver, distribute, or dispense the Covered Countermeasure, and their officials, agents, employees, contractors, and volunteers following a declaration of an emergency; any person who receives a Covered Countermeasure from a person authorized to prescribe, administer or dispense the countermeasure or who is otherwise authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense the countermeasure under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA); any person who receives a Covered Countermeasure as an investigational new drug in human clinical trials being conducted directly by the federal government or pursuant to a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with the federal government. We have amended the declaration to provide that the population includes ``any individual who uses or who is administered a Covered Countermeasure in accordance with the declaration.'' We believe this broad statement accurately encompasses all of the previously listed populations given as examples of that phrase and ensures that no populations that use or are administered the Covered Countermeasures in accordance with the terms of the declaration are omitted. In addition, the PREP Act specifies that liability immunity is afforded: (1) To manufacturers and distributors without regard to whether the countermeasure is used by or administered to this population; and (2) to program planners and qualified persons when the countermeasure is either used by or administered to this population or the program planner or qualified person reasonably could have believed the recipient was in this population.\31\ We included these statutory conditions in the declaration for clarity. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \31\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section XI, Geographic Area The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure specified in the declaration, the geographic area or areas for which liability immunity is in effect with respect to administration or use of the countermeasure, including, as appropriate, whether the declaration applies only to individuals physically present in the area or, in addition, applies to individuals who have a described connection to the area.\32\ This section previously appeared in section V, ``Geographic Area.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \32\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(D). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, the PREP Act specifies that liability immunity is afforded to manufacturers and distributors without regard to whether the countermeasure is used by or administered to individuals in the geographic areas and to program planners and qualified persons when the countermeasure is either used or administered in the geographic areas or the program planner or qualified person reasonably could have believed the countermeasure was used or administered in the areas.\33\ We included these statutory conditions in the declaration for clarity. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section XII, Effective Time Period The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure, the period or periods during which liability immunity is in effect, designated by dates, milestones, or other description of events, including factors specified in the PREP Act.\34\ This section previously appeared as section III, ``Effective Time Period.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \34\ 42 U.S.C. 246d-6d(b)(2)(B), (b)(6). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The declaration is amended to clarify when liability takes effect for different means of distribution. These changes are intended to have no legal effect. The declaration is also amended to extend the period for which liability immunity is in effect. The previous declaration was in effect through December 31, 2015. We have extended the effective time period to December 31, 2022. Section XIII, Additional Time Period of Coverage The Secretary must specify a date after the ending date of the effective period of the declaration that is reasonable for manufacturers to arrange for disposition of the Covered Countermeasure, including return of the product to the manufacturer, and for other Covered Persons to take appropriate actions to limit administration or use of the Covered Countermeasure.\35\ In addition, the PREP Act specifies that for Covered Countermeasures that are subject to a declaration at the time they are obtained for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) under 42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a), the [[Page 76520]] effective period of the declaration extends through the time the countermeasure is used or administered pursuant to a distribution or release from the Stockpile. Liability immunity under the provisions of the PREP Act and the conditions of the declaration continues during these additional time periods. Thus, liability immunity is afforded during the ``Effective Time Period,'' described under XII of the declaration, plus the ``Additional Time Period'' described under section XIII of the declaration. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \35\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(3). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The provision for additional time periods previously appeared as section VII, ``Additional Time Periods of Coverage After Expiration of the Declaration.'' The provision is amended to clarify the statutory provisions as they apply to manufacturers and to other covered persons, and to clarify that extended coverage applies to any products obtained for the SNS during the effective period of the declaration. We included the statutory provision for clarity. Section XIV, Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program Section 319F-4 of the PREP Act authorizes the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) to provide benefits to eligible individuals who sustain a serious physical injury or die as a direct result of the administration or use of a Covered Countermeasure.\36\ Compensation under the CICP for an injury directly caused by a Covered Countermeasure is based on the requirements set forth in this declaration, the administrative rules for the Program,\37\ and the statute.\38\ To show direct causation between a Covered Countermeasure and a serious physical injury, the statute requires ``compelling, reliable, valid, medical and scientific evidence.'' \39\ The administrative rules for the Program further explain the necessary requirements for eligibility under the CICP. Please note that, by statute, requirements for compensation under the CICP may not always align with the requirements for liability immunity provided under the PREP Act. We have added section XIV, ``Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program'' to explain the types of injury and standard of evidence needed to be considered for compensation under the CICP. We included this information to inform readers of this Program. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \36\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6e. \37\ 42 CFR part 110. \38\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6e. \39\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6e(b)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section XV, Amendments The Secretary may amend any portion of a declaration through publication in the Federal Register.\40\ This section previously appeared in section VIII, ``Amendments.'' The section has been updated to reflect that the Republished Declaration amends the prior October 1, 2008 declaration. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \40\ 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deleted Sections The prior declaration included a number of ``whereas'' clauses as introductory to the declaration. As described above, we have incorporated ``whereas'' clauses that made necessary findings under the PREP Act into the text of the declaration itself. We have deleted the remaining ``whereas'' clauses. We do not intend this change to have legal effect. The prior declaration contained a definitions section. These definitions have been incorporated into the relevant sections of the declaration as noted above, and modified or deleted where indicated above. An appendix previously appeared in the declaration that listed federal government contracts for research, development, and procurement of Covered Countermeasures. We deleted this appendix to clarify that liability immunity under the provisions of the PREP Act and terms of the declaration are not limited to the contracts listed in the appendix. Coverage is available for any award or agreement that meets the description provided in section VII of the declaration, including those under which Covered Countermeasures are administered or used by the Department of Defense. In addition, deleting the appendix relieves the Department of the need to periodically update the appendix. We made these deletions for clarity and do not intend them to have legal effect. Republished Declaration Declaration, as Amended, for Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act Coverage for Anthrax Countermeasures This declaration amends and republishes the October 1, 2008, Declaration Under the PREP Act for anthrax countermeasures. To the extent any term of the October 1, 2008, Declaration is inconsistent with any provision of this Republished Declaration, the terms of this Republished Declaration are controlling. I. Determination of Public Health Emergency or Credible Risk of Future Public Health Emergency 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1) I have determined that there is a credible risk that the spread of Bacillus anthracis and/or the spores of Bacillus anthracis and the resulting disease or conditions may in the future constitute a public health emergency. II. Factors Considered 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(6) I have considered the desirability of encouraging the design, development, clinical testing or investigation, manufacture, labeling, distribution, formulation, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administration, licensing, and use of the Covered Countermeasures. III. Recommended Activities 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1) I recommend, under the conditions stated in this declaration, the manufacture, testing, development, distribution, administration, or use of the Covered Countermeasures. IV. Liability Immunity 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a), 247d-6d(b)(1) Liability immunity as prescribed in the PREP Act and conditions stated in this declaration is in effect for the Recommended Activities described in section III. V. Covered Persons 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(2), (3), (4), (6), (8)(A) and (B) Covered Persons who are afforded liability immunity under this declaration are manufacturers, distributors, program planners, qualified persons, and their officials, agents, and employees, as those terms are defined in the PREP Act, and the United States. In addition, I have determined that the following additional persons are qualified persons: (a) Any person who is authorized to prescribe, administer, deliver, distribute or dispense Covered Countermeasures to Department of Defense military personnel and supporting civilian-employee and contractor personnel; (b) Any person authorized in accordance with the public health and medical emergency response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction, as described in section VII below, to prescribe, administer, deliver, distribute or dispense the Covered Countermeasures, and their officials, agents, employees, contractors and [[Page 76521]] volunteers, following a declaration of an emergency; (c) Any person authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense the Covered Countermeasures or who is otherwise authorized to perform an activity under an Emergency Use Authorization in accordance with section 564 of the FD&C Act; (d) Any person authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense Covered Countermeasures in accordance with Section 564A of the FD&C Act. VI. Covered Countermeasures 42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(c)(1)(B), 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(1) and (7) Covered Countermeasures are any vaccine, including all components and constituent materials of these vaccines, and all devices and their constituent components used in the administration of these vaccines; any antimicrobial/antibiotic; any other drug or biologic; or any diagnostic or other device to identify, prevent or treat anthrax or adverse events from such countermeasures. Covered Countermeasures must be ``qualified pandemic or epidemic products,'' or ``security countermeasures,'' or drugs, biological products, or devices authorized for investigational or emergency use, as those terms are defined in the PREP Act, the FD&C Act, and the Public Health Service Act. VII. Limitations on Distribution 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(5) and (b)(2)(E) I have determined that liability immunity is afforded to Covered Persons only for Recommended Activities involving Covered Countermeasures that are related to:\ (a) Present or future federal contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other federal agreements, or activities directly conducted by the federal government; or (b) Activities authorized in accordance with the public health and medical response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction to prescribe, administer, deliver, distribute or dispense the Covered Countermeasures following a declaration of an emergency. i. The Authority Having Jurisdiction means the public agency or its delegate that has legal responsibility and authority for responding to an incident, based on political or geographical (e.g., city, county, tribal, state, or federal boundary lines) or functional (e.g., law enforcement, public health) range or sphere of authority. ii. A declaration of emergency means any declaration by any authorized local, regional, state, or federal official of an emergency specific to events that indicate an immediate need to administer and use the Covered Countermeasures, with the exception of a federal declaration in support of an Emergency Use Authorization under section 564 of the FD&C Act unless such declaration specifies otherwise; I have also determined that for governmental program planners only, liability immunity is afforded only to the extent such program planners obtain Covered Countermeasures through voluntary means, such as (1) donation; (2) commercial sale; (3) deployment of Covered Countermeasures from federal stockpiles; or (4) deployment of donated, purchased, or otherwise voluntarily obtained Covered Countermeasures from state, local, or private stockpiles. VIII. Category of Disease, Health Condition, or Threat 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(A) The category of disease, health condition, or threat for which I recommend the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures is anthrax, which may result from exposure to Bacillus anthracis and/or to Bacillus anthracis spores. IX. Administration of Covered Countermeasures 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(2)(B) Administration of the Covered Countermeasure means physical provision of the countermeasures to recipients, or activities and decisions directly relating to public and private delivery, distribution and dispensing of the countermeasures to recipients, management and operation of countermeasure programs, or management and operation of locations for purpose of distributing and dispensing countermeasures. X. Population 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(4), 247d-6d(b)(2)(C) The populations of individuals include any individual who uses or is administered the Covered Countermeasures in accordance with this declaration. Liability immunity is afforded to manufacturers and distributors without regard to whether the countermeasure is used by or administered to this population; liability immunity is afforded to program planners and qualified persons when the countermeasure is used by or administered to this population or the program planner or qualified person reasonably could have believed the recipient was in this population. XI. Geographic Area 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(4), 247d-6d(b)(2)(D) Liability immunity is afforded for the administration or use of a Covered Countermeasure without geographic limitation. Liability immunity is afforded to manufacturers and distributors without regard to whether the countermeasure is used by or administered in these geographic areas; liability immunity is afforded to program planners and qualified persons when the countermeasure is used by or administered in these geographic areas, or the program planner or qualified person reasonably could have believed the recipient was in these geographic areas. XII. Effective Time Period 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(B) Liability immunity for Covered Countermeasures obtained through means of distribution other than in accordance with the public health and medical response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction extends through December 31, 2022. Liability immunity for Covered Countermeasures administered and used in accordance with the public health and medical response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction begins with a declaration and lasts through (1) the final day the emergency declaration is in effect or (2) December 31, 2022, whichever occurs first. XIII. Additional Time Period of Coverage 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(3)(A), (B) and (C) I have determined that an additional twelve (12) months of liability protection is reasonable to allow for the manufacturer(s) to arrange for disposition of the Covered Countermeasure, including return of the Covered Countermeasures to the manufacturer, and for Covered Persons to take such other actions as are appropriate to limit the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures. Covered Countermeasures obtained for the SNS during the effective period of this declaration for Covered Countermeasures obtained through means of distribution other than in accordance with the public health and medical response of the Authority Having Jurisdiction are covered through the date of administration or use [[Page 76522]] pursuant to a distribution or release from the SNS. Further, as to doses shipped by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Department of Defense (DOD) pursuant to the DoD/CDC Interagency Agreement (IAA) dated March 10, 2008, an additional period of time of liability protection shall extend for as long as the SNS or its successor exists and the IAA remains in effect, plus, if the additional twelve (12) months following the time period in paragraph 1 of this section has expired, an additional twelve (12) months upon expiration of the IAA. XIV. Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program 42 U.S.C. 247d-6e The PREP Act authorizes the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) to provide benefits to certain individuals or estates of individuals who sustain a serious physical covered injury as the direct result of the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures and/ or benefits to certain survivors of individuals who die as a direct result of the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures. The causal connection between the countermeasure and the serious physical injury must be supported by compelling, reliable, valid, medical and scientific evidence in order for the individual to be considered for compensation. The CICP is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, within the Department of Health and Human Services. Information about the CICP is available at 855-266-2427 (toll-free) or http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/. XV. Amendments 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(4) The October 1, 2008, Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for anthrax countermeasures was first published on October 6, 2008. This is the first amendment to that declaration. Any further amendments to this declaration will be published in the Federal Register. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d. Dated: December 1, 2015. Sylvia M. Burwell, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-31090 Filed 12-8-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
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countermeasure programs, or used in accordance with the public XV. Amendments
management and operation of locations health and medical response of the 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(4)
for purpose of distributing and Authority Having Jurisdiction begins
dispensing countermeasures. with a declaration and lasts through (1) The October 10, 2008, Declaration
the final day the emergency declaration Under the Public Readiness and
X. Population Emergency Preparedness Act for
is in effect; (2) December 31, 2022; or (3)
42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(a)(4), 247d– until a Covered Countermeasure is pandemic influenza antivirals was first
6d(b)(2)(C) covered under the National Vaccine published on October 17, 2008, and
The populations of individuals Injury Compensation Program, as amended on June 11, 2009. This is the
include any individual who uses or is applicable, whichever occurs first. second amendment to that declaration.
The December 17, 2008, Declaration
administered the Covered
XIII. Additional Time Period of Under the Public Readiness and
Countermeasures in accordance with
Coverage Emergency Preparedness Act for
this declaration.
Liability immunity is afforded to diagnostics and other devices was first
42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(3)(A),(B) and (C) published on December 22, 2008. This
manufacturers and distributors without
regard to whether the countermeasure is I have determined that an additional is the first amendment to that
used by or administered to this twelve (12) months of liability declaration.
population; liability immunity is The Declaration for the Use of the
protection is reasonable to allow for the
afforded to program planners and Public Readiness and Emergency
manufacturer(s) to arrange for
qualified persons when the Preparedness Act for H5N1 vaccines
disposition of the Covered
countermeasure is used by or was first published on January 26, 2007.
Countermeasure, including return of the The declaration was amended on
administered to this population or the Covered Countermeasures to the
program planner or qualified person November 30, 2007, to add H7 and H9
manufacturer, and for Covered Persons vaccines; amended on October 17, 2008,
reasonably could have believed the to take other appropriate actions to limit
recipient was in this population. to add H2 and H6 vaccines; amended on
the administration or use of the Covered June 15, 2009, to add 2009 H1N1
XI. Geographic Area Countermeasures. vaccines and republished in its entirety;
42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(a)(4), 247d– Covered Countermeasures obtained amended on September 28, 2009, to
6d(b)(2)(D) for the Strategic National Stockpile provide targeted liability protections for
(SNS) during the effective period of this pandemic countermeasures to enhance
Liability immunity is afforded for the declaration for Covered distribution and to add provisions
administration or use of a Covered Countermeasures obtained through consistent with other declarations and
Countermeasure without geographic republished in its entirety; amended on
means of distribution other than in
limitation. March 1, 2010, to revise the Covered
Liability immunity is afforded to accordance with the public health and
medical response of the Authority Countermeasures to include
manufacturers and distributors without
Having Jurisdiction are covered through countermeasures against pandemic
regard to whether the countermeasure is
the date of administration or use influenza A viruses, extend the effective
used by or administered in these
pursuant to a distribution or release date and republished in its entirety; and
geographic areas; liability immunity is
from the SNS. amended on February 29, 2012, to
afforded to program planners and
extend the effective time period,
qualified persons when the XIV. Countermeasures Injury reformat the declaration, and republish
countermeasure is used by or Compensation Program the declaration.
administered in these geographic areas,
This declaration incorporates all
or the program planner or qualified 42 U.S.C. 247d–6e
amendments to these declarations prior
person reasonably could have believed
The PREP Act authorizes the to the date of its publication in the
the recipient was in these geographic
Countermeasures Injury Compensation Federal Register. Further amendments
areas.
Program (CICP) to provide benefits to to this declaration will be published in
XII. Effective Time Period certain individuals or estates of the Federal Register.
42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(2)(B) individuals who sustain a serious Authority: 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d.
physical covered injury as the direct Dated: December 1, 2015.
For any Covered Countermeasure
result of the administration or use of the Sylvia M. Burwell,
subsequently covered under the
Covered Countermeasures and/or
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Secretary.
benefits to certain survivors of
Program, liability immunity under this [FR Doc. 2015–31087 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am]
individuals who die as a direct result of
declaration expires immediately upon BILLING CODE P
such coverage. the administration or use of the Covered
Liability immunity for Covered Countermeasures. The causal
Countermeasures obtained through connection between the countermeasure DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
means of distribution other than in and the serious physical injury must be HUMAN SERVICES
accordance with the public health and supported by compelling, reliable, valid,
medical response of the Authority medical, and scientific evidence in Office of the Secretary
order for the individual to be considered
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Having Jurisdiction extends through
December 31, 2022 or until a Covered for compensation. The CICP is Anthrax Medical Countermeasures—
Countermeasure is covered under the administered by the Health Resources Amendment
National Vaccine Injury Compensation and Services Administration, within the
ACTION: Notice of Amendment to the
Program, as applicable, whichever Department of Health and Human
October 1, 2008, Declaration under the
occurs first. Services. Information about the CICP is
Public Readiness and Emergency
Liability immunity for Covered available toll-free at 1–855–266–2427 or
Preparedness Act.
Countermeasures administered and http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/.
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![76516 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Notices
public health emergency.’’ The formatting changes. These changes are carriers; own-label distributors; private-
Secretary is amending this not intended to have any substantive label distributors; jobbers; brokers;
determination: (1) To clarify that the legal effect. warehouses and wholesale drug
threat posed is the spread of Bacillus warehouses; independent wholesale
Section IV, Liability Immunity
anthracis and/or the spores of Bacillus drug traders; and retail pharmacies; 13
anthracis and the resulting disease or The Secretary must also state that A program planner means a state or
condition; (2) to state that the threat liability protections available under the local government, including an Indian
may be in the future in order to be PREP Act are in effect with respect to tribe; a person employed by the state or
consistent with the language used in the the Recommended Activities.8 These local government; or other person who
PREP Act.5 Thus, in this amended liability protections provide that, supervises or administers a program
declaration, the Secretary determines ‘‘[s]ubject to other provisions of [the with respect to the administration,
‘‘that there is a credible risk that the PREP Act], a covered person shall be dispensing, distribution, provision, or
spread of Bacillus anthracis and/or the immune from suit and liability under use of a Covered Countermeasure,
spores of Bacillus anthracis and the Federal and State law with respect to all including a person who establishes
resulting disease or conditions may in claims for loss caused by, arising out of, requirements, provides policy guidance,
the future constitute a public health relating to, or resulting from the or supplies technical or scientific advice
emergency.’’ This change is provided for administration to or use by an or assistance or provides a facility to
clarification. individual of a covered countermeasure administer or use a Covered
if a declaration . . . has been issued Countermeasure in accordance with the
Section II, Factors Considered
with respect to such countermeasure.’’ 9 Secretary’s declaration.14 Under this
In deciding whether and under what In the previous declaration, we included definition, a private-sector employer or
circumstances to issue a declaration a statement referring to liability community group or other person can
with respect to a Covered immunity under the PREP Act in be a program planner when it carries out
Countermeasure, the Secretary must section I of the declaration, ‘‘Covered the described activities.
consider the desirability of encouraging Countermeasures.’’ The declaration now A qualified person means a licensed
the design, development, clinical testing includes the statement that liability health professional or other individual
or investigation, manufacture, labeling, immunity is in effect for Recommended who is authorized to prescribe,
distribution, formulation, packaging, Activities in a separate section IV. We administer, or dispense Covered
marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, made this change to improve readability Countermeasures under the law of the
donation, dispensing, prescribing, and do not intend that it have any state in which the countermeasure was
administration, licensing, and use of the substantive legal effect. prescribed, administered, or dispensed;
countermeasure.6 We previously stated or a person within a category of persons
these considerations in the introductory Section V, Covered Persons identified as qualified in the Secretary’s
‘‘whereas’’ clauses to the declaration. The PREP Act’s liability immunity declaration.15 Under this definition, the
The declaration now states these applies to ‘‘Covered Persons’’ with Secretary can describe in the declaration
considerations in section II. We made respect to administration or use of a other qualified persons, such as
this change to improve readability and Covered Countermeasure. The term volunteers, who are Covered Persons.
do not intend that it have any ‘‘Covered Persons’’ has a specific Section V describes other qualified
substantive legal effect. meaning, and is defined in the PREP Act persons covered by this declaration. The
Section III, Recommended Activities to include manufacturers, distributors, PREP Act also defines the word
program planners, and qualified ‘‘person’’ as used in the Act: A person
The Secretary must recommend the persons, and their officials, agents, and includes an individual, partnership,
activities for which the PREP Act’s employees, and the United States.10 The corporation, association, entity, or
liability immunity is in effect. These PREP Act further defines the terms public or private corporation, including
activities may include, under conditions ‘‘manufacturer,’’ ‘‘distributor,’’ a federal, state, or local government
as the Secretary may specify, the ‘‘program planner,’’ and ‘‘qualified agency or department.16
manufacture, testing, development, person’’ as described below.11 The provisions regarding Covered
distribution, administration, or use of A manufacturer includes a contractor Persons previously appeared in the
one or more Covered Countermeasures or subcontractor of a manufacturer; a declaration as a definition in section IX,
(‘‘Recommended Activities’’).7 In the supplier or licenser of any product, ‘‘Definitions’’ and in section VI,
previous declaration, we included the intellectual property, service, research ‘‘Qualified Persons.’’ We combined
Recommended Activities in section I of tool or component or other article used these two provisions into a new section
the declaration, ‘‘Covered in the design, development, clinical V, ‘‘Covered Persons’’ and added ‘‘to
Countermeasures.’’ The declaration now testing, investigation or manufacturing perform an activity’’ to the description
states them in section III. We made this of a Covered Countermeasure; and any of ‘‘Other Qualified Persons’’ authorized
change to improve readability and do or all of the parents, subsidiaries, under an Emergency Use Authorization
not intend that it have any substantive affiliates, successors, and assigns of a for clarity. We made these changes to
legal effect. In addition, we deleted the manufacturer; 12 improve readability and clarity and do
term ‘‘dispensing,’’ as it does not appear A distributor means a person or entity not intend them to have any substantive
in the PREP Act, changed ‘‘and usage’’ engaged in the distribution of drug, legal effect.
to ‘‘or use’’ for consistency with the biologics, or devices, including but not We also modified the description of
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
statute, and deleted the phrase ‘‘with limited to: Manufacturers; repackers; Covered Persons to include a new
respect to the category of disease and common carriers; contract carriers; air category of qualified persons: ‘‘Any
population described in sections II and person authorized to prescribe,
IV below’’ for consistency with 8 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(1).
9 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(a)(1). 13 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(i)(3).
5 See 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(1). 10 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d (i)(2). 14 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(i)(6).
6 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(6). 11 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(i). 15 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(i)(8).
7 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(1). 12 42 U.S.C. 247d 6–d(i)(4). 16 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(i)(5).
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![76522 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Notices
pursuant to a distribution or release DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND The major actions taken by this
from the SNS. HUMAN SERVICES amendment to the acute radiation
Further, as to doses shipped by the syndrome countermeasures declaration
Office of the Secretary are the following: (1) Updating the
Centers for Disease Control and
description of covered countermeasures
Prevention (CDC) to the Department of Acute Radiation Syndrome Medical to include countermeasures authorized
Defense (DOD) pursuant to the DoD/ Countermeasures—Amendment for use under sections 564A and 564B
CDC Interagency Agreement (IAA) dated of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
March 10, 2008, an additional period of ACTION: Notice of Amendment to the (FD&C) Act; 2 (2) expanding covered
time of liability protection shall extend October 10, 2008, Declaration Under the countermeasures to include
for as long as the SNS or its successor Public Readiness and Emergency countermeasures administered acutely
exists and the IAA remains in effect, Preparedness Act. during the response for delayed effects
plus, if the additional twelve (12) to acute radiation exposure; (3)
months following the time period in SUMMARY: The Secretary is amending the
clarifying the description of covered
paragraph 1 of this section has expired, declaration issued on October 10, 2008,
countermeasures to delete vaccines and
(73 FR 61866) pursuant to section 319F–
an additional twelve (12) months upon antitoxins and to add biologics; (4)
3 of the Public Health Service Act (42
expiration of the IAA. changing the description of qualified
U.S.C. 247d–6d) to: include
persons to include persons authorized
XIV. Countermeasures Injury countermeasures authorized for use
to prescribe, administer, or dispense
Compensation Program under sections 564A and 564B of the
covered countermeasures in accordance
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic with Section 564A of the FD&C Act; (5)
42 U.S.C. 247d–6e (FD&C) Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb–3a and clarifying that liability immunity
The PREP Act authorizes the 360bbb–3b); clarify and expand the extends to ‘‘other transactions’’ and to
description of covered countermeasures; activities related to any federal
Countermeasures Injury Compensation
extend the effective time period of the agreements including clinical trials
Program (CICP) to provide benefits to
declaration; reformat the declaration; agreements by adding the terms ‘‘other
certain individuals or estates of modify or clarify terms of the
individuals who sustain a serious transactions’’ and ‘‘other federal
declaration; and republish the agreements’’ to the clause describing the
physical covered injury as the direct declaration in its entirety, as amended.
result of the administration or use of the types of federal agreements for which
DATES: The amendment of the October immunity is in effect; (6) deleting
Covered Countermeasures and/or
10, 2008, declaration is effective as of references to specific federal contracts
benefits to certain survivors of
January 1, 2016. to clarify that immunity is not limited
individuals who die as a direct result of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: to activities conducted under listed
the administration or use of the Covered
Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH, Assistant contracts; (7) clarifying that liability
Countermeasures. The causal immunity extends to activities directly
connection between the countermeasure Secretary for Preparedness and
Response, Office of the Secretary, conducted by the Federal government
and the serious physical injury must be by adding the phrase ‘‘or directly
Department of Health and Human
supported by compelling, reliable, valid, conducted by the Federal Government’’
Services, 200 Independence Avenue
medical and scientific evidence in order to the section describing methods of
SW., Washington, DC 20201. Telephone
for the individual to be considered for distribution for which liability
202–205–2882.
compensation. The CICP is immunity is in effect; (8) narrowing the
administered by the Health Resources SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
definition of ‘‘administration’’ to cover
and Services Administration, within the Background ‘‘slip-and–fall’’ claims only to the extent
Department of Health and Human they are directly tied to the operation of
The Public Readiness and Emergency
Services. Information about the CICP is a countermeasure program; (9)
Preparedness Act (PREP Act) authorizes
available at 855–266–2427 (toll-free) or extending the time period for which
the Secretary of Health and Human liability immunity is in effect for the
http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/. Services (the Secretary) to issue a Covered Countermeasures to December
XV. Amendments declaration to provide liability 31, 2022; and, (10) changing the entire
immunity to certain individuals and declaration to the new format that was
42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(4) entities (Covered Persons) against any first used with the February 29, 2012,
claim of loss caused by, arising out of, amendment to the declaration for
The October 1, 2008, Declaration
relating to, or resulting from the pandemic influenza to make the
Under the Public Readiness and
administration or use of medical declaration easier for readers to follow.
Emergency Preparedness Act for anthrax countermeasures (Covered
countermeasures was first published on Other minor modifications and
Countermeasures), except for claims clarifications are also made, as more
October 6, 2008. This is the first that meet the PREP Act’s definition of
amendment to that declaration. fully explained below.
willful misconduct. The Secretary may, The declaration is republished in full.
Any further amendments to this though publication in the Federal We explain the substantive and format
declaration will be published in the Register, amend any portion of a changes in this supplementary section.
Federal Register. declaration. Using this authority, the The PREP Act was enacted on
Secretary issued a declaration for
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d. December 30, 2005 as Public Law 109–
countermeasures to botulinum toxin(s) 148, Division C, Section 2. It amended
Dated: December 1, 2015. and the resulting disease(s) from a the Public Health Service (PHS) Act,
Sylvia M. Burwell, manmade or natural source on October adding section 319F–3, which addresses
Secretary. 10, 2008, and is amending the October liability immunity, and section 319F–4,
[FR Doc. 2015–31090 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am] 10, 2008 declaration.1 which creates a compensation program.
BILLING CODE P
1 73 FR 61869. 2 21 U.S.C. 360bbb–3a and 360bbb–3b.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_76750/page/9.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:32:45
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:32:45
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Amendment to the October 1, 2008, Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. | |
| Dates | The amendment of the October 1, 2008, declaration is effective as of January 1, 2016. | |
| Contact | Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20201, Telephone 202-205-2882. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 76514 |
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