81_FR_66221 81 FR 66035 - Generic Drug User Fees; Public Meeting; Request for Comments

81 FR 66035 - Generic Drug User Fees; Public Meeting; Request for Comments

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 186 (September 26, 2016)

Page Range66035-66039
FR Document2016-23111

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public meeting to discuss proposed recommendations for the reauthorization of the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2012 (GDUFA), which authorizes FDA to collect fees and use them for the review of certain generic human drug applications and associated Type II active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) drug master files (DMFs), and for conducting associated inspections for fiscal years (FYs) 2018 through 2022. The legislative authority for GDUFA expires at the end of September 2017. At that time, new legislation will be required for FDA to continue to collect generic drug user fees for future fiscal years. Following discussions with the regulated industry and periodic consultations with public stakeholders, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) directs FDA to present the recommendations to the relevant Congressional committees, publish the recommendations for the reauthorized program in the Federal Register, provide for a period of 30 days for the public to provide written comments on such recommendations, and hold a meeting at which the public may present its views on such recommendations. FDA will then consider such public views and comments and revise such recommendations as necessary.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66035-66039]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23111]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2012-N-0882]


Generic Drug User Fees; Public Meeting; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public 
meeting to discuss proposed recommendations for the reauthorization of 
the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2012 (GDUFA), which authorizes 
FDA to collect fees and use them for the review of certain generic 
human drug applications and associated Type II active pharmaceutical 
ingredient (API) drug master files (DMFs), and for conducting 
associated inspections for fiscal years (FYs) 2018 through 2022. The 
legislative authority for GDUFA expires at the end of September 2017. 
At that time, new legislation will be required for FDA to continue to 
collect generic drug user fees for future fiscal years. Following 
discussions with the regulated industry and periodic consultations with 
public stakeholders, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C 
Act) directs FDA to present the recommendations to the relevant 
Congressional committees, publish the recommendations for the 
reauthorized program in the Federal Register, provide for a period of 
30 days for the public to provide written comments on such 
recommendations, and hold a meeting at which the public may present its 
views on such recommendations. FDA will then consider such public views 
and comments and revise such recommendations as necessary.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on October 21, 2016, from 9 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. Submit electronic or written comments to the public docket by 
November 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the FDA White Oak Campus, 10903 
New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 31 Conference Center, the Great Room (Rm. 
1503), Silver Spring, MD 20993. Entrance for the public meeting 
participants (non-FDA employees) is through Building 1, where routine 
security check procedures will be performed. For parking and security 
information, refer to http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/BuildingsandFacilities/WhiteOakCampusInformation/ucm241740.htm.
    You may submit comments as follows:

Electronic Submissions

    Submit electronic comments in the following way:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments submitted 
electronically, including attachments, to http://www.regulations.gov 
will be posted to the docket unchanged. Because your comment will be 
made public, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your comment 
does not include any confidential information that you or a third party 
may not wish to be posted, such as medical information, your or anyone 
else's Social Security number, or confidential business information, 
such as a manufacturing process. Please note that if you include your 
name, contact information, or other information that identifies you in 
the body of your comments, that information will be posted on http://www.regulations.gov.
     If you want to submit a comment with confidential 
information that you do not wish to be made available to the public, 
submit the comment as a written/paper submission and in the manner 
detailed (see ``Written/Paper Submissions'' and ``Instructions'').

Written/Paper Submissions

    Submit written/paper submissions as follows:
     Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for written/paper 
submissions): Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
     For written/paper comments submitted to the Division of 
Dockets Management, FDA will post your comment, as well as any 
attachments, except for information submitted, marked and identified, 
as confidential, if submitted as detailed in ``Instructions.''
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No. 
FDA-2012-N-0882 for ``Generic Drug User Fees; Public Meeting; Request 
for Comments.'' Received comments will be placed in the docket and, 
except for those submitted as ``Confidential Submissions,'' publicly 
viewable at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Division of Dockets 
Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
     Confidential Submissions--To submit a comment with 
confidential information that you do not wish to be made publicly 
available, submit your comments only as a written/paper submission. You 
should submit two copies total. One copy will include the information 
you claim to be confidential with a heading or cover note that states 
``THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.'' The Agency will 
review this copy, including the claimed confidential information, in 
its consideration of comments. The second copy, which will have the 
claimed confidential information redacted/blacked out, will be 
available for public viewing and posted on http://www.regulations.gov. 
Submit both copies to the Division of Dockets Management. If you do not 
wish your name and contact information to be made publicly available, 
you can provide this information on the cover sheet and not in the body 
of your comments and you must identify this information as 
``confidential.'' Any information marked as ``confidential'' will not 
be disclosed except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other 
applicable disclosure law. For more information about FDA's posting of 
comments to public dockets, see 80 FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or 
access the information at: http://www.fda.gov/regulatoryinformation/dockets/default.htm.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
the electronic and written/paper comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, found in brackets in 
the heading of this document, into the ``Search'' box and follow the 
prompts and/or go to the Division of Dockets Management, 5630 Fishers 
Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
    FDA will post the agenda approximately 5 days before the meeting at 
www.fda.gov/gdufa.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Griffing, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New 
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 75, Rm. 1673, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 240-402-
6980, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    FDA is announcing a public meeting to discuss proposed 
recommendations

[[Page 66036]]

for the reauthorization of GDUFA, which authorizes FDA to collect user 
fees related to human generic drugs and use them for the process of the 
review of certain generic human drug applications and associated 
submissions, to conduct related inspections, and to engage in other 
related activities for FYs 2018 to 2022. Without new legislation, FDA 
will no longer be able to collect user fees to fund the human generic 
drug review process for future fiscal years. Section 744(C)(d)(4) (21 
U.S.C. 379j-43(d)(4)) of the FD&C Act requires that after FDA holds 
negotiations with regulated industry and periodic consultations with 
stakeholders, we do the following: (1) Present the recommendations to 
the relevant Congressional committees, (2) publish such recommendations 
in the Federal Register, (3) provide for a period of 30 days for the 
public to provide written comments on such recommendations, (4) hold a 
meeting at which the public may present its views on such 
recommendations, and (5) consider such public views and comments and 
revise such recommendations as necessary. This notice, the 30-day 
comment period, and the public meeting will satisfy some of these 
requirements. After the public meeting, we will revise the 
recommendations as necessary and present our proposed recommendations 
to the Congressional committees.

II. What is GDUFA and what does it do?

    GDUFA is a law that authorizes FDA to collect fees from drug 
companies that submit marketing applications for certain generic human 
drug applications, certain DMFs, and certain facilities. It was 
originally enacted as part of the Food and Drug Administration Safety 
and Innovation Act (FDASIA) (Pub. L. 112-144) for a period of 5 years.
    GDUFA's intent is to provide additional revenues so that FDA can 
hire more staff, improve systems, and establish a better-managed 
generic drug review process to improve access to quality, affordable 
generic medicines. As part of FDA's agreement with industry, the Agency 
agreed to certain performance goals. Major goals of GDUFA included: (1) 
Review and act on 90 percent of complete, electronic abbreviated new 
drug applications (ANDAs) submitted in FY 2017 within 10 months after 
the date of submission; (2) review and act on 90 percent of all ANDAs, 
ANDA amendments, and ANDA prior approval supplements (PASs) pending as 
of October 1, 2012 (i.e., pre-GDUFA ``backlog'' submissions) by the end 
of FY 2017; (3) achieve risk-based inspection parity with respect to 
foreign and domestic generic API and generic finished dosage form 
manufacturers in FY 2017; (4) implement various efficiency enhancements 
on October 1, 2012; and (5) continue to undertake certain regulatory 
science initiatives. To date, FDA has met or exceeded all of its GDUFA 
commitments. The funding provided by GDUFA has enabled FDA to modernize 
the generic drug review process.

III. Proposed GDUFA II Recommendations

    In preparing the proposed recommendations to Congress for GDUFA 
reauthorization (GDUFA II), we have conducted discussions with the 
regulated industry, and we have consulted with stakeholders as required 
by the law. We began the GDUFA reauthorization process with a public 
meeting held on June 15, 2015 (80 FR 22204, April 21, 2015). The 
meeting included presentations by FDA and a series of presentations 
from different stakeholder groups, including patient advocates, 
consumer groups, regulated industry, health professionals, and academic 
researchers. The stakeholders were asked to respond to the following 
questions:
     What is your assessment of the overall performance of the 
GDUFA program to date?
     What aspects of GDUFA should be retained, changed, or 
discontinued to further strengthen and improve the program?
    Following the June 2015 public meeting, FDA conducted negotiations 
with regulated industry and continued monthly consultations with public 
stakeholders from October 2015 through August 2016. As directed by 
Congress, FDA posted minutes of these discussions on its Web site at 
http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/UserFees/GenericDrugUserFees/default.htm 
(Under GDUFA Federal Register Notices). The proposed enhancements for 
GDUFA II address many of the top priorities identified by public 
stakeholders, the top concerns identified by regulated industry, and 
the most important challenges identified within FDA. These include the 
new submission review performance goals, review program enhancements, 
proposals to enhance regulatory science and expedite drug development 
for complex products, and proposals to enhance facility assessments. 
The full descriptions of these proposed recommendations can be found in 
the proposed GDUFA II Commitment Letter (proposed Commitment Letter) 
which will be posted prior to the public meeting on FDA's Web site at 
www.fda.gov/gdufa.
    The enhancements are described below with reference to the section 
of the draft Commitment Letter where more detailed information can be 
found.

A. Submission Review Performance Goals

    The GDUFA submission review performance goals were very complex. 
Different cohorts and tiers of submissions received very different 
review goals. The first cohort was the pre-GDUFA ``backlog.'' FDA 
agreed to take a first action on 90 percent of ANDAs pending as of the 
date of enactment (i.e., ANDAs in the pre-GDUFA ``backlog'') by the end 
of FY 2017. However, none of these individual ANDAs received goal 
dates; FDA's metric goal applied to the pre-GDUFA ``backlog'' cohort as 
a whole. Moreover, there were no goals for any subsequent amendments 
submitted in response to FDA first actions on the backlog ANDAs. The 
second cohort comprised ANDAs submitted in Years 1 and 2 of the program 
(FYs 2013 and 2014). They also did not receive goal dates; FDA agreed 
to maintain pre-GDUFA levels of productivity in Years 1 and 2. The 
third, fourth, and fifth cohorts were ANDAs submitted in Years 3, 4, 
and 5 of the program (FYs 2015, 2016, and 2017). They obtained goal 
dates, which became more rigorous for each FY cohort. There was also, 
as a practical matter, an effective sixth cohort: In the course of 
implementing GDUFA, FDA informally committed to assign ``Target Action 
Dates'' to ``pre-Year 3'' ANDAs and ANDA amendments, which had not 
obtained formal goal dates under GDUFA. Target Action Dates were 
aspirational deadlines for action on these submissions.
    For GDUFA II, FDA proposes two major changes to the submission 
review goals: First, all ANDAs and ANDA amendments would fall within a 
single, consolidated, review goals scheme to simplify and streamline 
program administration, promote review efficiency, and ensure that ``no 
submission is left behind.'' Second, GDUFA II would create faster 
review goals for priority submissions. For an ANDA, standard review 
would be 10 months from submission and priority review would be 8 
months from submission. Priority review would be available for 
submissions that FDA considers to be public health priorities pursuant 
to CDER's Manual of Policies and Procedures (MAPP) 5240.3 Rev.2, 
``Prioritization of the Review of Original

[[Page 66037]]

ANDAs, Amendments and Supplements,'' as revised (the CDER 
Prioritization MAPP),\1\ if the applicant submits a pre-submission 
facility correspondence 2 months prior to the date of ANDA submission 
and the pre-submission facility correspondence is found to be complete 
and accurate and remains unchanged. The purpose of the pre-submission 
facility correspondence is to give the Agency lead time to conduct 
planning for a high volume of facility assessments, which frequently 
impact ANDA approvability. ``Pre-Submission Facility Correspondence'' 
is defined in section VII(S) of the proposed Commitment Letter.
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    \1\ http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/CDER/ManualofPoliciesProcedures/UCM407849.pdf.
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    The proposed submission review performance goals and procedures are 
set forth in section I of the proposed Commitment Letter.

B. Original ANDA Review Program Enhancements

    GDUFA I contained several enhancements of a general nature related 
to review efficiency and communications transparency, such as the 
adoption of complete response letters (CRLs) and continuing 
communication of easily correctible deficiencies. These enhancements, 
as operationalized, did not meet industry's expectations and were 
reportedly commercially disruptive. The regulated industry expressed 
strong concerns. In response, during Years 2 and 3 of GDUFA I, FDA 
further developed and refined its ANDA review and communications 
procedures. These newly developed procedures, along with additional 
procedures developed in GDUFA II discussions with the regulated 
industry, are set forth in the proposed Commitment Letter. GDUFA II's 
ANDA review enhancements are substantially more specific and 
programmatic than corresponding elements of GDUFA I. They would refine 
and enhance the efficiency of the ANDA review process from start to 
finish.
    The GDUFA II ANDA review program would start with submission of an 
ANDA. FDA would strive to determine whether to receive an ANDA within 
60 days of the date of ANDA submission. The Agency would also issue a 
MAPP setting forth procedures for filing reviewers on communication of 
minor technical deficiencies and on deficiencies potentially resolved 
with information in the ANDA at original submission, in order to 
provide applicants with an opportunity for resolution within 7 calendar 
days. If such a deficiency is resolved within 7 calendar days, that 
deficiency would not be a basis for a refuse-to-receive decision. These 
ANDA receipt enhancements are set forth in section II(A) of the 
proposed Commitment Letter.
    When FDA has received the ANDA and it is under review, FDA would 
use information requests (IRs) and/or discipline review letters (DRLs) 
to communicate review deficiencies beginning at about the mid-point of 
the review. Following the IR and/or DRL at about the mid-point of the 
review, IRs and/or DRLs would, as appropriate, continue for each review 
discipline on a rolling basis. Neither IRs nor DRLs would stop the 
review clock or add to a GDUFA goal. If an applicant is unable to 
completely respond within the timeframe requested by FDA, including any 
extensions that may be granted by FDA, then FDA would generally issue a 
CRL. FDA would continue to issue IRs and/or DRLs late in the review 
cycle, until it is no longer feasible, within the current review cycle, 
for the applicant to develop and FDA to review a complete response to 
the IR and/or DRL. FDA should continue to work through the goal date if 
in FDA's judgment continued work would likely result in an imminent 
tentative approval that could prevent forfeiture of 180-day exclusivity 
or an imminent approval. FDA would strive to act prior to a goal date 
when the review is done and there are no longer any outstanding issues. 
These program enhancements are set forth in sections II(B)(1)-(7). They 
would result in more opportunities for applicants to address 
deficiencies within the current review cycle, instead of waiting to 
receive them in a later-issued CRL. Such ``rolling review'' would 
promote a more efficient and effective review process and increase the 
overall rate of ANDA approval.
    During the review, to provide transparency concerning review status 
and the potential timing of FDA action, regulatory project managers 
would timely provide review status updates upon request of an 
applicant's authorized representative, notify applicants of certain 
likely forthcoming major deficiencies, and notify applicants if FDA is 
likely to miss the goal date for a submission. These program 
enhancements are set forth in sections II(B)(8)-(10). They would 
support product launches and other types of business planning that can 
improve consumer access to generic drugs. ``Review Status Update'' is 
defined in section VII(W).
    To facilitate timely approvals and tentative approvals, GDUFA II 
would provide that if applicants submit and maintain ANDAs consistent 
with the statutory requirements for approval under 505(j); respond to 
IRs and DRLs completely and within the timeframes requested by FDA, and 
timely submit all required information under 21 CFR parts 314 and 210, 
including information concerning notice (Sec.  314.95), litigation 
status (Sec.  314.107), and commercial marketing (Sec.  314.107); then 
FDA will strive to approve approvable ANDAs in the first review cycle; 
to approve potential first generics on the earliest lawful approval 
date, if known to FDA; and to tentatively approve first to file 
paragraph IV ANDAs so as to avoid forfeiture of 180-day exclusivity. 
This is set forth in section II(D) of the proposed Commitment Letter.
    If the applicant receives a CRL rather than an approval, post-CRL 
teleconferences would be available. They would enable applicants to 
seek clarification concerning deficiencies identified in a CRL. FDA 
would grant appropriate requests for teleconferences concerning first 
cycle major and subsequent CRLs. There are metric goals for FDA to 
schedule and conduct post-CRL teleconferences. These program 
enhancements are set forth in sections II(B)(11)-(12).
    With respect to dispute resolution, the proposed Commitment Letter 
would provide that applicants may review requests for reconsideration 
at the Division level or original signatory authority, as needed. 
Following requests for reconsideration, applicants may pursue formal 
dispute resolution above the Division level. There would be metric 
goals for FDA to respond to appeals above the Division level. This is 
set forth in section II(E).
    The purpose of the proposed ANDA review transparency and 
communications enhancements is to improve predictability and 
transparency, promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the review 
process, minimize the number of review cycles necessary for approval, 
increase the overall rate of approval, and facilitate greater consumer 
access to generic drug products.

C. Pre-ANDA Program and Subsequent Mid-Review Cycle Meetings for 
Complex Products

    The proposed GDUFA II pre-ANDA program for complex products is new. 
``Complex Products'' is defined in section VII(I) of the proposed 
Commitment Letter and would generally include products with complex 
active

[[Page 66038]]

ingredients, formulations, routes of delivery, or dosage forms; complex 
drug-device combination products; and other products where complexity 
or uncertainty concerning the approval pathway or possible alternative 
approach would benefit from early scientific engagement.
    The pre-ANDA program would build an enhanced pathway for complex 
products, with product development, pre-submission, and mid-review-
cycle meetings as set forth in sections III(D)-(F) of the proposed 
Commitment Letter. FDA would issue a guidance concerning the pathway. A 
prospective ANDA applicant granted a product development meeting would 
have the option of a pre-submission meeting and also the option of a 
mid-review-cycle meeting, subject to policies and procedures to be set 
forth in the guidance. A product development meeting would involve 
scientific exchange to discuss specific issues (for example, a proposed 
study design, alternative approach, or additional study expectations) 
or questions. In a product development meeting, FDA would provide 
targeted advice concerning an ongoing ANDA development program. A pre-
submission meeting would give an applicant an opportunity to discuss 
and explain the content and format of an ANDA to be submitted, but 
would not include substantive review of summary data or full study 
reports. Post-submission, after the last key discipline has issued its 
IR and/or DRL, the Agency would schedule a teleconference with the 
applicant to discuss current concerns with the application and next 
steps. There would be metric goals for FDA to grant or deny and to 
conduct product development and pre-submission meetings.
    The GDUFA II pre-ANDA program for complex products would also 
include metric goals for the issuance of product-specific guidance. 
Specifically, FDA would issue product-specific guidance identifying the 
methodology for developing drugs and generating evidence needed to 
support ANDA approval, for 90 percent of new chemical entity new drug 
applications that are approved on or after October 1, 2017, at least 2 
years prior to the earliest lawful approval date. This goal would not 
apply to complex products. (The pre-ANDA program would have meetings 
for complex products for which product-specific guidance has not been 
issued.) FDA would strive to issue product-specific guidance for 
complex products as soon as scientific recommendations are available. 
In addition, FDA would continue to develop and issue product-specific 
guidance based on requests from the regulated industry and public 
health priorities as set forth in the CDER Prioritization MAPP. These 
enhancements are set forth in section III.C of the proposed Commitment 
Letter.
    The pre-ANDA program would also include enhancements concerning 
controlled correspondence, regulatory science, the Inactive Ingredient 
Database, and safety determination letters. Notably, there would be 
separate review goals for complex controlled correspondence, to provide 
answers concerning discrete complex product development questions.
    The purpose of the proposed GDUFA II pre-ANDA program for complex 
products is to clarify regulatory expectations for prospective 
applicants early in product development, help applicants develop more 
complete submissions, promote a more efficient and effective review 
process, and reduce the number of review cycles to obtain ANDA approval 
of complex products.

D. DMF Review Program Enhancements

    GDUFA II also proposes targeted enhancements of current DMF review 
procedures. DMF review comments submitted to the DMF holder would be 
issued at least in parallel with the issuance of review comments 
relating to the DMF for the ANDA. The proposed Commitment Letter would 
also establish procedures and timelines for teleconferences to clarify 
DMF first-cycle review deficiencies. Once a DMF has undergone a full 
scientific review and has no open issues related to the review of the 
referencing ANDA, FDA would issue a First Adequate Letter. Once the DMF 
has undergone a complete review and the ANDA referencing it has been 
approved or tentatively approved, FDA would issue a No Further Comments 
Letter. By FY 2019, FDA would issue a guidance regarding post-approval 
changes to a Type II DMF and submission mechanisms for ANDA applicants 
who reference it. These enhancements are set forth in section IV of the 
proposed Commitment Letter.

E. Facility Assessment

    FDASIA eliminated long-standing minimum inspection frequency 
requirements and directed FDA instead to inspect drug facilities 
globally on the basis of risk. Industry sources have asserted that the 
transition to a new paradigm has been commercially disruptive for the 
regulated industry, which over time had developed procedures and 
expectations based on the old model. While facility assessment cuts 
across multiple FDA drug programs, GDUFA II contains several facility-
related enhancements targeted to generic industry-specific challenges.
    To mitigate export related challenges identified by U.S.-based API 
manufacturers, FDA would issue a guidance explaining the risk-based 
site selection model, undertake outreach to foreign regulators on the 
risk-based site selection model, and support the export of safe and 
effective pharmaceutical products by the U.S.-based pharmaceutical 
industry, including through the issuance of communications conveying 
the current compliance status of U.S. manufacturing facilities to 
foreign regulators. These enhancements are set forth in sections V(A)-
(D).
    To mitigate ANDA sponsor concerns regarding the transparency and 
speed of facility assessment and its impact on ANDA approvability and 
product launch, FDA would communicate outstanding facility issues that 
could prevent approval of an ANDA or PAS through an IR, DRL, or CRL; 
and communicate to the facility owner final inspection classifications 
that do not negatively impact approvability of any pending application 
within 90 days of the end of the inspection. In addition, FDA would 
provide updates to and seek feedback from industry stakeholders 
regarding facility assessment. These enhancements would occur in FYs 
2018 and 2019. They are described in section V(E).
    To enhance transparency concerning the compliance status of GDUFA 
self-identified facilities and sites, FDA would update its existing, 
publicly available database beginning in FY 2019. This is described in 
section V(F).

F. Enhanced Accountability and Reporting

    FDA proposes to build internal capacity to enable improved 
productivity and performance through regular assessment of progress 
towards GDUFA II goals, consistent methodologies for and timely 
reporting of GDUFA II metrics, transparent and efficient 
administration, and allocation and reporting of user fee resources.
    FDA would conduct activities to develop a resource management 
planning function and a modernized time reporting approach to GDUFA II. 
This is described in section VI(A) of the proposed Commitment Letter.
    FDA would also conduct activities to evaluate the financial 
administration of the GDUFA II program to help identify areas to 
enhance operational and fiscal efficiency, and to enhance transparency

[[Page 66039]]

of how GDUFA program resources are used. This is described in section 
VI(B).
    The Agency would also expand its performance reporting by 
publishing robust monthly, quarterly and annual program performance 
metrics, as described in section VI(C). Enhanced performance reporting 
would enable Congress, the regulated industry, patient and consumer 
groups, and other stakeholders to better gauge the generic drug 
program's performance.

G. Enhancements to Fee Structure and Related Mechanisms To Provide 
Small Business Relief and Increase Predictability, Stability, and 
Efficiency

    The proposed GDUFA II fee structure was designed to provide FDA 
with predictable, adequate funding for its human generic drug review 
programs, divide fee responsibilities equitably across different 
segments of the industry, and provide for small business considerations 
in a number of ways.
    GDUFA II will be funded at a level commensurate with the amount of 
work associated with incoming ANDAs, since ANDAs are the primary 
workload driver of GDUFA. In order to provide a more predictable 
revenue base, GDUFA II will include an annualized ``program fee'' for 
ANDA holders. This annual fee will help offset the fluctuations in 
application fees from 1 year to another. An ANDA sponsor will pay a fee 
based on the total number of approved ANDAs that it and its affiliates 
own. ANDA sponsors will be split into three tiers based on ANDA 
ownership. The proposed tier cutoffs were determined by industry and 
are meant to reflect a firm's size, position in the market, and 
reliance on the program. With the introduction of the program fee, FDA 
has eliminated the fee for PASs.
    In addition to program fees based on total ANDA ownership, the 
proposed fee structure includes two other distinct considerations for 
small businesses. First, under GDUFA I, a facility would pay an annual 
fee if it was listed in an ANDA, regardless of whether it was listed in 
any approved ANDAs. As a result, a facility that is listed only in 
pending applications is charged an annual GDUFA fee even though it has 
no generic drug revenue stream. Under GDUFA II, no facility or ANDA 
sponsor would be charged an annual fee until an ANDA in which it is 
listed is approved. Second, the proposed structure adds a facility 
category for contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). CMOs are 
generally small businesses that are hired by ANDA sponsors to 
manufacture their generic drugs. Alternatively, some ANDA sponsors 
manufacture their own drugs. Under the GDUFA II fee structure, CMOs 
will pay one-third the annual fee paid by firms that manufacture under 
ANDAs which they or their affiliates own.
    The full descriptions of these proposed recommendations will be 
posted prior to the public meeting on FDA's Web site at www.fda.gov/gdufa.

IV. Purpose and Scope of the Meeting

    If you wish to attend this meeting, please email your registration 
information to Derek Griffing (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) by 
October 7, 2016. Your email should contain complete contact information 
for each attendee, including name, title, affiliation, address, email 
address, and telephone number. Registration is free and is on a first-
come, first-served basis. However, FDA may limit the number of 
participants from each organization based on space limitations. 
Registrants will receive confirmation once they have been accepted. 
Onsite registration on the day of the meeting will be based on space 
availability. If you need special accommodations because of a 
disability, please contact Derek Griffing (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT) at least 7 days before the meeting.
    The meeting will include a presentation by FDA and a series of 
invited panels representing different stakeholder groups identified in 
the statute (such as patient advocacy groups, consumer advocacy groups, 
health professionals, and regulated industry). We will also provide an 
opportunity for other organizations and individuals to make 
presentations at the meeting or to submit written comments to the 
docket before the meeting.
    If you wish to present at the meeting, please include your 
presentation materials along with your registration information to 
Derek Griffing (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) by October 7, 
2016. Early requests for oral presentations are recommended due to 
possible space and time limitations. FDA will accommodate as many 
requests for oral presentations as possible and will do so on a first-
come, first-served basis. The time allotted for presentations may 
depend on the number of persons who wish to speak. Those requesting to 
present will receive confirmation once they have been accepted. Onsite 
requests for oral presentations on the day of the meeting will be based 
on time and space availability. If the entire meeting time is not 
needed, FDA may end the public meeting early.

V. Transcript Request

    Please be advised that as soon as a transcript is available, it 
will be accessible at www.fda.gov/gdufa and in this docket at http://www.regulations.gov.
    It may be viewed at the Division of Dockets Management, Food and 
Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD. A 
transcript will also be available in either hardcopy or on CD-ROM, 
after submission of a Freedom of Information request. The Freedom of 
Information office address is available on the Agency's Web site at 
http://www.fda.gov.

    Dated: September 21, 2016.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-23111 Filed 9-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices                                          66035

                                                  Administration for Children and                         1503), Silver Spring, MD 20993.                       http://www.regulations.gov or at the
                                                  Families.                                               Entrance for the public meeting                       Division of Dockets Management
                                                                                                          participants (non-FDA employees) is                   between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
                                                  Robert Sargis,
                                                                                                          through Building 1, where routine                     through Friday.
                                                  Reports Clearance Officer.                              security check procedures will be                        • Confidential Submissions—To
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–23058 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am]             performed. For parking and security                   submit a comment with confidential
                                                  BILLING CODE P                                          information, refer to http://                         information that you do not wish to be
                                                                                                          www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Workingat                        made publicly available, submit your
                                                                                                          FDA/BuildingsandFacilities/WhiteOak                   comments only as a written/paper
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                CampusInformation/ucm241740.htm.                      submission. You should submit two
                                                  HUMAN SERVICES                                            You may submit comments as                          copies total. One copy will include the
                                                                                                          follows:                                              information you claim to be confidential
                                                  Food and Drug Administration
                                                                                                                                                                with a heading or cover note that states
                                                                                                          Electronic Submissions
                                                  [Docket No. FDA–2012–N–0882]                                                                                  ‘‘THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS
                                                                                                            Submit electronic comments in the                   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.’’ The
                                                  Generic Drug User Fees; Public                          following way:                                        Agency will review this copy, including
                                                  Meeting; Request for Comments                             • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://               the claimed confidential information, in
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov. Follow the                       its consideration of comments. The
                                                  AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,
                                                                                                          instructions for submitting comments.                 second copy, which will have the
                                                  HHS.
                                                                                                          Comments submitted electronically,                    claimed confidential information
                                                  ACTION: Notice of public meeting;                       including attachments, to http://
                                                  request for comments.                                                                                         redacted/blacked out, will be available
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov will be posted to                 for public viewing and posted on http://
                                                  SUMMARY:    The Food and Drug                           the docket unchanged. Because your                    www.regulations.gov. Submit both
                                                  Administration (FDA) is announcing a                    comment will be made public, you are                  copies to the Division of Dockets
                                                  public meeting to discuss proposed                      solely responsible for ensuring that your             Management. If you do not wish your
                                                  recommendations for the                                 comment does not include any                          name and contact information to be
                                                  reauthorization of the Generic Drug User                confidential information that you or a                made publicly available, you can
                                                  Fee Amendments of 2012 (GDUFA),                         third party may not wish to be posted,                provide this information on the cover
                                                  which authorizes FDA to collect fees                    such as medical information, your or                  sheet and not in the body of your
                                                  and use them for the review of certain                  anyone else’s Social Security number, or              comments and you must identify this
                                                  generic human drug applications and                     confidential business information, such               information as ‘‘confidential.’’ Any
                                                  associated Type II active pharmaceutical                as a manufacturing process. Please note               information marked as ‘‘confidential’’
                                                  ingredient (API) drug master files                      that if you include your name, contact                will not be disclosed except in
                                                  (DMFs), and for conducting associated                   information, or other information that                accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other
                                                  inspections for fiscal years (FYs) 2018                 identifies you in the body of your                    applicable disclosure law. For more
                                                  through 2022. The legislative authority                 comments, that information will be                    information about FDA’s posting of
                                                  for GDUFA expires at the end of                         posted on http://www.regulations.gov.                 comments to public dockets, see 80 FR
                                                  September 2017. At that time, new                         • If you want to submit a comment                   56469, September 18, 2015, or access
                                                  legislation will be required for FDA to                 with confidential information that you                the information at: http://www.fda.gov/
                                                  continue to collect generic drug user                   do not wish to be made available to the               regulatoryinformation/dockets/
                                                  fees for future fiscal years. Following                 public, submit the comment as a                       default.htm.
                                                  discussions with the regulated industry                 written/paper submission and in the                      Docket: For access to the docket to
                                                  and periodic consultations with public                  manner detailed (see ‘‘Written/Paper                  read background documents or the
                                                  stakeholders, the Federal Food, Drug,                   Submissions’’ and ‘‘Instructions’’).                  electronic and written/paper comments
                                                  and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act)                         Written/Paper Submissions                             received, go to http://
                                                  directs FDA to present the                                                                                    www.regulations.gov and insert the
                                                                                                             Submit written/paper submissions as
                                                  recommendations to the relevant                                                                               docket number, found in brackets in the
                                                                                                          follows:
                                                  Congressional committees, publish the                      • Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for                  heading of this document, into the
                                                  recommendations for the reauthorized                    written/paper submissions): Division of               ‘‘Search’’ box and follow the prompts
                                                  program in the Federal Register,                        Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food                    and/or go to the Division of Dockets
                                                  provide for a period of 30 days for the                 and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers                 Management, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm.
                                                  public to provide written comments on                   Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.                  1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
                                                  such recommendations, and hold a                           • For written/paper comments                          FDA will post the agenda
                                                  meeting at which the public may                         submitted to the Division of Dockets                  approximately 5 days before the meeting
                                                  present its views on such                               Management, FDA will post your                        at www.fda.gov/gdufa.
                                                  recommendations. FDA will then                          comment, as well as any attachments,                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  consider such public views and                          except for information submitted,                     Derek Griffing, Center for Drug
                                                  comments and revise such                                marked and identified, as confidential,               Evaluation and Research, Food and
                                                  recommendations as necessary.                           if submitted as detailed in                           Drug Administration, 10903 New
                                                  DATES: The public meeting will be held                  ‘‘Instructions.’’                                     Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 75, Rm. 1673,
                                                  on October 21, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 5                      Instructions: All submissions received             Silver Spring, MD 20993, 240–402–
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                                                  p.m. Submit electronic or written                       must include the Docket No. FDA–                      6980, email: GenericDrugPolicy@
                                                  comments to the public docket by                        2012–N–0882 for ‘‘Generic Drug User                   fda.hhs.gov.
                                                  November 7, 2016.                                       Fees; Public Meeting; Request for                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at                  Comments.’’ Received comments will be
                                                  the FDA White Oak Campus, 10903                         placed in the docket and, except for                  I. Introduction
                                                  New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 31                            those submitted as ‘‘Confidential                        FDA is announcing a public meeting
                                                  Conference Center, the Great Room (Rm.                  Submissions,’’ publicly viewable at                   to discuss proposed recommendations


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                                                  66036                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices

                                                  for the reauthorization of GDUFA,                       submissions) by the end of FY 2017; (3)               (proposed Commitment Letter) which
                                                  which authorizes FDA to collect user                    achieve risk-based inspection parity                  will be posted prior to the public
                                                  fees related to human generic drugs and                 with respect to foreign and domestic                  meeting on FDA’s Web site at
                                                  use them for the process of the review                  generic API and generic finished dosage               www.fda.gov/gdufa.
                                                  of certain generic human drug                           form manufacturers in FY 2017; (4)                      The enhancements are described
                                                  applications and associated                             implement various efficiency                          below with reference to the section of
                                                  submissions, to conduct related                         enhancements on October 1, 2012; and                  the draft Commitment Letter where
                                                  inspections, and to engage in other                     (5) continue to undertake certain                     more detailed information can be found.
                                                  related activities for FYs 2018 to 2022.                regulatory science initiatives. To date,              A. Submission Review Performance
                                                  Without new legislation, FDA will no                    FDA has met or exceeded all of its                    Goals
                                                  longer be able to collect user fees to                  GDUFA commitments. The funding
                                                  fund the human generic drug review                      provided by GDUFA has enabled FDA                        The GDUFA submission review
                                                  process for future fiscal years. Section                to modernize the generic drug review                  performance goals were very complex.
                                                  744(C)(d)(4) (21 U.S.C. 379j–43(d)(4)) of               process.                                              Different cohorts and tiers of
                                                  the FD&C Act requires that after FDA                                                                          submissions received very different
                                                                                                          III. Proposed GDUFA II                                review goals. The first cohort was the
                                                  holds negotiations with regulated
                                                                                                          Recommendations                                       pre-GDUFA ‘‘backlog.’’ FDA agreed to
                                                  industry and periodic consultations
                                                  with stakeholders, we do the following:                    In preparing the proposed                          take a first action on 90 percent of
                                                  (1) Present the recommendations to the                  recommendations to Congress for                       ANDAs pending as of the date of
                                                  relevant Congressional committees, (2)                  GDUFA reauthorization (GDUFA II), we                  enactment (i.e., ANDAs in the pre-
                                                  publish such recommendations in the                     have conducted discussions with the                   GDUFA ‘‘backlog’’) by the end of FY
                                                  Federal Register, (3) provide for a                     regulated industry, and we have                       2017. However, none of these individual
                                                  period of 30 days for the public to                     consulted with stakeholders as required               ANDAs received goal dates; FDA’s
                                                  provide written comments on such                        by the law. We began the GDUFA                        metric goal applied to the pre-GDUFA
                                                  recommendations, (4) hold a meeting at                  reauthorization process with a public                 ‘‘backlog’’ cohort as a whole. Moreover,
                                                  which the public may present its views                  meeting held on June 15, 2015 (80 FR                  there were no goals for any subsequent
                                                  on such recommendations, and (5)                        22204, April 21, 2015). The meeting                   amendments submitted in response to
                                                  consider such public views and                          included presentations by FDA and a                   FDA first actions on the backlog
                                                  comments and revise such                                series of presentations from different                ANDAs. The second cohort comprised
                                                  recommendations as necessary. This                      stakeholder groups, including patient                 ANDAs submitted in Years 1 and 2 of
                                                  notice, the 30-day comment period, and                  advocates, consumer groups, regulated                 the program (FYs 2013 and 2014). They
                                                  the public meeting will satisfy some of                 industry, health professionals, and                   also did not receive goal dates; FDA
                                                  these requirements. After the public                    academic researchers. The stakeholders                agreed to maintain pre-GDUFA levels of
                                                  meeting, we will revise the                             were asked to respond to the following                productivity in Years 1 and 2. The third,
                                                  recommendations as necessary and                        questions:                                            fourth, and fifth cohorts were ANDAs
                                                  present our proposed recommendations                       • What is your assessment of the                   submitted in Years 3, 4, and 5 of the
                                                  to the Congressional committees.                        overall performance of the GDUFA                      program (FYs 2015, 2016, and 2017).
                                                                                                          program to date?                                      They obtained goal dates, which became
                                                  II. What is GDUFA and what does it                         • What aspects of GDUFA should be                  more rigorous for each FY cohort. There
                                                  do?                                                     retained, changed, or discontinued to                 was also, as a practical matter, an
                                                     GDUFA is a law that authorizes FDA                   further strengthen and improve the                    effective sixth cohort: In the course of
                                                  to collect fees from drug companies that                program?                                              implementing GDUFA, FDA informally
                                                  submit marketing applications for                          Following the June 2015 public                     committed to assign ‘‘Target Action
                                                  certain generic human drug                              meeting, FDA conducted negotiations                   Dates’’ to ‘‘pre-Year 3’’ ANDAs and
                                                  applications, certain DMFs, and certain                 with regulated industry and continued                 ANDA amendments, which had not
                                                  facilities. It was originally enacted as                monthly consultations with public                     obtained formal goal dates under
                                                  part of the Food and Drug                               stakeholders from October 2015 through                GDUFA. Target Action Dates were
                                                  Administration Safety and Innovation                    August 2016. As directed by Congress,                 aspirational deadlines for action on
                                                  Act (FDASIA) (Pub. L. 112–144) for a                    FDA posted minutes of these                           these submissions.
                                                  period of 5 years.                                      discussions on its Web site at http://                   For GDUFA II, FDA proposes two
                                                     GDUFA’s intent is to provide                         www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/UserFees/                     major changes to the submission review
                                                  additional revenues so that FDA can                     GenericDrugUserFees/default.htm                       goals: First, all ANDAs and ANDA
                                                  hire more staff, improve systems, and                   (Under GDUFA Federal Register                         amendments would fall within a single,
                                                  establish a better-managed generic drug                 Notices). The proposed enhancements                   consolidated, review goals scheme to
                                                  review process to improve access to                     for GDUFA II address many of the top                  simplify and streamline program
                                                  quality, affordable generic medicines.                  priorities identified by public                       administration, promote review
                                                  As part of FDA’s agreement with                         stakeholders, the top concerns                        efficiency, and ensure that ‘‘no
                                                  industry, the Agency agreed to certain                  identified by regulated industry, and the             submission is left behind.’’ Second,
                                                  performance goals. Major goals of                       most important challenges identified                  GDUFA II would create faster review
                                                  GDUFA included: (1) Review and act on                   within FDA. These include the new                     goals for priority submissions. For an
                                                  90 percent of complete, electronic                      submission review performance goals,                  ANDA, standard review would be 10
                                                  abbreviated new drug applications                       review program enhancements,                          months from submission and priority
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  (ANDAs) submitted in FY 2017 within                     proposals to enhance regulatory science               review would be 8 months from
                                                  10 months after the date of submission;                 and expedite drug development for                     submission. Priority review would be
                                                  (2) review and act on 90 percent of all                 complex products, and proposals to                    available for submissions that FDA
                                                  ANDAs, ANDA amendments, and                             enhance facility assessments. The full                considers to be public health priorities
                                                  ANDA prior approval supplements                         descriptions of these proposed                        pursuant to CDER’s Manual of Policies
                                                  (PASs) pending as of October 1, 2012                    recommendations can be found in the                   and Procedures (MAPP) 5240.3 Rev.2,
                                                  (i.e., pre-GDUFA ‘‘backlog’’                            proposed GDUFA II Commitment Letter                   ‘‘Prioritization of the Review of Original


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices                                            66037

                                                  ANDAs, Amendments and                                   applicants with an opportunity for                       To facilitate timely approvals and
                                                  Supplements,’’ as revised (the CDER                     resolution within 7 calendar days. If                 tentative approvals, GDUFA II would
                                                  Prioritization MAPP),1 if the applicant                 such a deficiency is resolved within 7                provide that if applicants submit and
                                                  submits a pre-submission facility                       calendar days, that deficiency would                  maintain ANDAs consistent with the
                                                  correspondence 2 months prior to the                    not be a basis for a refuse-to-receive                statutory requirements for approval
                                                  date of ANDA submission and the pre-                    decision. These ANDA receipt                          under 505(j); respond to IRs and DRLs
                                                  submission facility correspondence is                   enhancements are set forth in section                 completely and within the timeframes
                                                  found to be complete and accurate and                   II(A) of the proposed Commitment                      requested by FDA, and timely submit all
                                                  remains unchanged. The purpose of the                   Letter.                                               required information under 21 CFR
                                                  pre-submission facility correspondence                     When FDA has received the ANDA                     parts 314 and 210, including
                                                  is to give the Agency lead time to                      and it is under review, FDA would use                 information concerning notice
                                                  conduct planning for a high volume of                   information requests (IRs) and/or                     (§ 314.95), litigation status (§ 314.107),
                                                  facility assessments, which frequently                  discipline review letters (DRLs) to                   and commercial marketing (§ 314.107);
                                                  impact ANDA approvability. ‘‘Pre-                       communicate review deficiencies                       then FDA will strive to approve
                                                  Submission Facility Correspondence’’ is                 beginning at about the mid-point of the               approvable ANDAs in the first review
                                                  defined in section VII(S) of the proposed               review. Following the IR and/or DRL at                cycle; to approve potential first generics
                                                  Commitment Letter.                                      about the mid-point of the review, IRs                on the earliest lawful approval date, if
                                                     The proposed submission review                       and/or DRLs would, as appropriate,                    known to FDA; and to tentatively
                                                  performance goals and procedures are                    continue for each review discipline on                approve first to file paragraph IV
                                                  set forth in section I of the proposed                  a rolling basis. Neither IRs nor DRLs                 ANDAs so as to avoid forfeiture of 180-
                                                  Commitment Letter.                                      would stop the review clock or add to                 day exclusivity. This is set forth in
                                                                                                          a GDUFA goal. If an applicant is unable               section II(D) of the proposed
                                                  B. Original ANDA Review Program                         to completely respond within the                      Commitment Letter.
                                                  Enhancements                                            timeframe requested by FDA, including                    If the applicant receives a CRL rather
                                                     GDUFA I contained several                            any extensions that may be granted by                 than an approval, post-CRL
                                                  enhancements of a general nature                        FDA, then FDA would generally issue a                 teleconferences would be available.
                                                  related to review efficiency and                        CRL. FDA would continue to issue IRs                  They would enable applicants to seek
                                                  communications transparency, such as                    and/or DRLs late in the review cycle,                 clarification concerning deficiencies
                                                  the adoption of complete response                       until it is no longer feasible, within the            identified in a CRL. FDA would grant
                                                  letters (CRLs) and continuing                           current review cycle, for the applicant               appropriate requests for teleconferences
                                                  communication of easily correctible                     to develop and FDA to review a                        concerning first cycle major and
                                                  deficiencies. These enhancements, as                    complete response to the IR and/or DRL.               subsequent CRLs. There are metric goals
                                                  operationalized, did not meet industry’s                FDA should continue to work through                   for FDA to schedule and conduct post-
                                                  expectations and were reportedly                        the goal date if in FDA’s judgment                    CRL teleconferences. These program
                                                  commercially disruptive. The regulated                  continued work would likely result in                 enhancements are set forth in sections
                                                  industry expressed strong concerns. In                  an imminent tentative approval that                   II(B)(11)–(12).
                                                  response, during Years 2 and 3 of                       could prevent forfeiture of 180-day                      With respect to dispute resolution, the
                                                  GDUFA I, FDA further developed and                      exclusivity or an imminent approval.                  proposed Commitment Letter would
                                                  refined its ANDA review and                             FDA would strive to act prior to a goal               provide that applicants may review
                                                  communications procedures. These                        date when the review is done and there                requests for reconsideration at the
                                                  newly developed procedures, along                       are no longer any outstanding issues.                 Division level or original signatory
                                                  with additional procedures developed                    These program enhancements are set                    authority, as needed. Following requests
                                                  in GDUFA II discussions with the                        forth in sections II(B)(1)–(7). They                  for reconsideration, applicants may
                                                  regulated industry, are set forth in the                would result in more opportunities for                pursue formal dispute resolution above
                                                  proposed Commitment Letter. GDUFA                       applicants to address deficiencies                    the Division level. There would be
                                                  II’s ANDA review enhancements are                       within the current review cycle, instead              metric goals for FDA to respond to
                                                  substantially more specific and                         of waiting to receive them in a later-                appeals above the Division level. This is
                                                  programmatic than corresponding                         issued CRL. Such ‘‘rolling review’’                   set forth in section II(E).
                                                                                                          would promote a more efficient and                       The purpose of the proposed ANDA
                                                  elements of GDUFA I. They would
                                                                                                          effective review process and increase                 review transparency and
                                                  refine and enhance the efficiency of the
                                                                                                          the overall rate of ANDA approval.                    communications enhancements is to
                                                  ANDA review process from start to                          During the review, to provide                      improve predictability and
                                                  finish.                                                 transparency concerning review status                 transparency, promote the efficiency
                                                     The GDUFA II ANDA review program                     and the potential timing of FDA action,               and effectiveness of the review process,
                                                  would start with submission of an                       regulatory project managers would                     minimize the number of review cycles
                                                  ANDA. FDA would strive to determine                     timely provide review status updates                  necessary for approval, increase the
                                                  whether to receive an ANDA within 60                    upon request of an applicant’s                        overall rate of approval, and facilitate
                                                  days of the date of ANDA submission.                    authorized representative, notify                     greater consumer access to generic drug
                                                  The Agency would also issue a MAPP                      applicants of certain likely forthcoming              products.
                                                  setting forth procedures for filing                     major deficiencies, and notify
                                                  reviewers on communication of minor                     applicants if FDA is likely to miss the               C. Pre-ANDA Program and Subsequent
                                                  technical deficiencies and on                           goal date for a submission. These                     Mid-Review Cycle Meetings for Complex
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                                                  deficiencies potentially resolved with                  program enhancements are set forth in                 Products
                                                  information in the ANDA at original                     sections II(B)(8)–(10). They would                       The proposed GDUFA II pre-ANDA
                                                  submission, in order to provide                         support product launches and other                    program for complex products is new.
                                                    1 http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/
                                                                                                          types of business planning that can                   ‘‘Complex Products’’ is defined in
                                                  CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsand
                                                                                                          improve consumer access to generic                    section VII(I) of the proposed
                                                  Tobacco/CDER/ManualofPoliciesProcedures/                drugs. ‘‘Review Status Update’’ is                    Commitment Letter and would generally
                                                  UCM407849.pdf.                                          defined in section VII(W).                            include products with complex active


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                                                  66038                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices

                                                  ingredients, formulations, routes of                    develop and issue product-specific                    the old model. While facility assessment
                                                  delivery, or dosage forms; complex                      guidance based on requests from the                   cuts across multiple FDA drug
                                                  drug-device combination products; and                   regulated industry and public health                  programs, GDUFA II contains several
                                                  other products where complexity or                      priorities as set forth in the CDER                   facility-related enhancements targeted
                                                  uncertainty concerning the approval                     Prioritization MAPP. These                            to generic industry-specific challenges.
                                                  pathway or possible alternative                         enhancements are set forth in section                   To mitigate export related challenges
                                                  approach would benefit from early                       III.C of the proposed Commitment                      identified by U.S.-based API
                                                  scientific engagement.                                  Letter.                                               manufacturers, FDA would issue a
                                                     The pre-ANDA program would build                        The pre-ANDA program would also                    guidance explaining the risk-based site
                                                  an enhanced pathway for complex                         include enhancements concerning                       selection model, undertake outreach to
                                                  products, with product development,                     controlled correspondence, regulatory                 foreign regulators on the risk-based site
                                                  pre-submission, and mid-review-cycle                    science, the Inactive Ingredient                      selection model, and support the export
                                                  meetings as set forth in sections III(D)–               Database, and safety determination                    of safe and effective pharmaceutical
                                                  (F) of the proposed Commitment Letter.                  letters. Notably, there would be separate             products by the U.S.-based
                                                  FDA would issue a guidance concerning                   review goals for complex controlled                   pharmaceutical industry, including
                                                  the pathway. A prospective ANDA                         correspondence, to provide answers                    through the issuance of communications
                                                  applicant granted a product                             concerning discrete complex product                   conveying the current compliance status
                                                  development meeting would have the                      development questions.                                of U.S. manufacturing facilities to
                                                  option of a pre-submission meeting and                     The purpose of the proposed GDUFA                  foreign regulators. These enhancements
                                                  also the option of a mid-review-cycle                   II pre-ANDA program for complex                       are set forth in sections V(A)–(D).
                                                  meeting, subject to policies and                        products is to clarify regulatory                       To mitigate ANDA sponsor concerns
                                                  procedures to be set forth in the                       expectations for prospective applicants               regarding the transparency and speed of
                                                  guidance. A product development                         early in product development, help
                                                                                                                                                                facility assessment and its impact on
                                                  meeting would involve scientific                        applicants develop more complete
                                                                                                                                                                ANDA approvability and product
                                                  exchange to discuss specific issues (for                submissions, promote a more efficient
                                                                                                                                                                launch, FDA would communicate
                                                  example, a proposed study design,                       and effective review process, and reduce
                                                                                                                                                                outstanding facility issues that could
                                                  alternative approach, or additional                     the number of review cycles to obtain
                                                                                                                                                                prevent approval of an ANDA or PAS
                                                  study expectations) or questions. In a                  ANDA approval of complex products.
                                                                                                                                                                through an IR, DRL, or CRL; and
                                                  product development meeting, FDA                        D. DMF Review Program Enhancements                    communicate to the facility owner final
                                                  would provide targeted advice
                                                                                                             GDUFA II also proposes targeted                    inspection classifications that do not
                                                  concerning an ongoing ANDA
                                                                                                          enhancements of current DMF review                    negatively impact approvability of any
                                                  development program. A pre-
                                                                                                          procedures. DMF review comments                       pending application within 90 days of
                                                  submission meeting would give an
                                                                                                          submitted to the DMF holder would be                  the end of the inspection. In addition,
                                                  applicant an opportunity to discuss and
                                                                                                          issued at least in parallel with the                  FDA would provide updates to and seek
                                                  explain the content and format of an
                                                                                                          issuance of review comments relating to               feedback from industry stakeholders
                                                  ANDA to be submitted, but would not
                                                                                                          the DMF for the ANDA. The proposed                    regarding facility assessment. These
                                                  include substantive review of summary
                                                                                                          Commitment Letter would also establish                enhancements would occur in FYs 2018
                                                  data or full study reports. Post-
                                                                                                          procedures and timelines for                          and 2019. They are described in section
                                                  submission, after the last key discipline
                                                  has issued its IR and/or DRL, the                       teleconferences to clarify DMF first-                 V(E).
                                                  Agency would schedule a                                 cycle review deficiencies. Once a DMF                   To enhance transparency concerning
                                                  teleconference with the applicant to                    has undergone a full scientific review                the compliance status of GDUFA self-
                                                  discuss current concerns with the                       and has no open issues related to the                 identified facilities and sites, FDA
                                                  application and next steps. There would                 review of the referencing ANDA, FDA                   would update its existing, publicly
                                                  be metric goals for FDA to grant or deny                would issue a First Adequate Letter.                  available database beginning in FY
                                                  and to conduct product development                      Once the DMF has undergone a                          2019. This is described in section V(F).
                                                  and pre-submission meetings.                            complete review and the ANDA                          F. Enhanced Accountability and
                                                     The GDUFA II pre-ANDA program for                    referencing it has been approved or                   Reporting
                                                  complex products would also include                     tentatively approved, FDA would issue
                                                  metric goals for the issuance of product-               a No Further Comments Letter. By FY                      FDA proposes to build internal
                                                  specific guidance. Specifically, FDA                    2019, FDA would issue a guidance                      capacity to enable improved
                                                  would issue product-specific guidance                   regarding post-approval changes to a                  productivity and performance through
                                                  identifying the methodology for                         Type II DMF and submission                            regular assessment of progress towards
                                                  developing drugs and generating                         mechanisms for ANDA applicants who                    GDUFA II goals, consistent
                                                  evidence needed to support ANDA                         reference it. These enhancements are set              methodologies for and timely reporting
                                                  approval, for 90 percent of new                         forth in section IV of the proposed                   of GDUFA II metrics, transparent and
                                                  chemical entity new drug applications                   Commitment Letter.                                    efficient administration, and allocation
                                                  that are approved on or after October 1,                                                                      and reporting of user fee resources.
                                                  2017, at least 2 years prior to the earliest            E. Facility Assessment                                   FDA would conduct activities to
                                                  lawful approval date. This goal would                     FDASIA eliminated long-standing                     develop a resource management
                                                  not apply to complex products. (The                     minimum inspection frequency                          planning function and a modernized
                                                  pre-ANDA program would have                             requirements and directed FDA instead                 time reporting approach to GDUFA II.
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                                                  meetings for complex products for                       to inspect drug facilities globally on the            This is described in section VI(A) of the
                                                  which product-specific guidance has                     basis of risk. Industry sources have                  proposed Commitment Letter.
                                                  not been issued.) FDA would strive to                   asserted that the transition to a new                    FDA would also conduct activities to
                                                  issue product-specific guidance for                     paradigm has been commercially                        evaluate the financial administration of
                                                  complex products as soon as scientific                  disruptive for the regulated industry,                the GDUFA II program to help identify
                                                  recommendations are available. In                       which over time had developed                         areas to enhance operational and fiscal
                                                  addition, FDA would continue to                         procedures and expectations based on                  efficiency, and to enhance transparency


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices                                                  66039

                                                  of how GDUFA program resources are                      GDUFA II fee structure, CMOs will pay                 accessible at www.fda.gov/gdufa and in
                                                  used. This is described in section VI(B).               one-third the annual fee paid by firms                this docket at http://
                                                    The Agency would also expand its                      that manufacture under ANDAs which                    www.regulations.gov.
                                                  performance reporting by publishing                     they or their affiliates own.                           It may be viewed at the Division of
                                                  robust monthly, quarterly and annual                      The full descriptions of these                      Dockets Management, Food and Drug
                                                  program performance metrics, as                         proposed recommendations will be                      Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm.
                                                  described in section VI(C). Enhanced                    posted prior to the public meeting on                 1061, Rockville, MD. A transcript will
                                                  performance reporting would enable                      FDA’s Web site at www.fda.gov/gdufa.                  also be available in either hardcopy or
                                                  Congress, the regulated industry, patient                                                                     on CD–ROM, after submission of a
                                                                                                          IV. Purpose and Scope of the Meeting
                                                  and consumer groups, and other                                                                                Freedom of Information request. The
                                                  stakeholders to better gauge the generic                   If you wish to attend this meeting,                Freedom of Information office address is
                                                  drug program’s performance.                             please email your registration                        available on the Agency’s Web site at
                                                                                                          information to Derek Griffing (see FOR                http://www.fda.gov.
                                                  G. Enhancements to Fee Structure and                    FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) by
                                                  Related Mechanisms To Provide Small                     October 7, 2016. Your email should                      Dated: September 21, 2016.
                                                  Business Relief and Increase                            contain complete contact information                  Leslie Kux,
                                                  Predictability, Stability, and Efficiency               for each attendee, including name, title,             Associate Commissioner for Policy.
                                                     The proposed GDUFA II fee structure                  affiliation, address, email address, and              [FR Doc. 2016–23111 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  was designed to provide FDA with                        telephone number. Registration is free                BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
                                                  predictable, adequate funding for its                   and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
                                                  human generic drug review programs,                     However, FDA may limit the number of
                                                  divide fee responsibilities equitably                   participants from each organization                   DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                                                  across different segments of the                        based on space limitations. Registrants               HUMAN SERVICES
                                                  industry, and provide for small business                will receive confirmation once they
                                                  considerations in a number of ways.                     have been accepted. Onsite registration               Food and Drug Administration
                                                     GDUFA II will be funded at a level                   on the day of the meeting will be based
                                                  commensurate with the amount of work                    on space availability. If you need special            [Docket No. FDA–2016–N–2610]
                                                  associated with incoming ANDAs, since                   accommodations because of a disability,
                                                  ANDAs are the primary workload driver                   please contact Derek Griffing (see FOR                A List of Biomarkers Used as
                                                  of GDUFA. In order to provide a more                    FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 7               Outcomes in Development of FDA-
                                                  predictable revenue base, GDUFA II will                 days before the meeting.                              Approved New Molecular Entities and
                                                  include an annualized ‘‘program fee’’ for                  The meeting will include a                         New Biological Therapeutics (October
                                                  ANDA holders. This annual fee will                      presentation by FDA and a series of                   2007 to December 2015);
                                                  help offset the fluctuations in                         invited panels representing different                 Establishment of a Public Docket;
                                                  application fees from 1 year to another.                stakeholder groups identified in the                  Correction
                                                  An ANDA sponsor will pay a fee based                    statute (such as patient advocacy
                                                  on the total number of approved ANDAs                                                                         AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,
                                                                                                          groups, consumer advocacy groups,
                                                  that it and its affiliates own. ANDA                                                                          HHS.
                                                                                                          health professionals, and regulated
                                                  sponsors will be split into three tiers                 industry). We will also provide an                    ACTION:   Notice; correction.
                                                  based on ANDA ownership. The                            opportunity for other organizations and
                                                  proposed tier cutoffs were determined                                                                         SUMMARY:   The Food and Drug
                                                                                                          individuals to make presentations at the
                                                  by industry and are meant to reflect a                                                                        Administration is correcting a notice
                                                                                                          meeting or to submit written comments
                                                  firm’s size, position in the market, and                                                                      entitled ‘‘A List of Biomarkers Used as
                                                                                                          to the docket before the meeting.
                                                  reliance on the program. With the                          If you wish to present at the meeting,             Outcomes in Development of FDA-
                                                  introduction of the program fee, FDA                    please include your presentation                      Approved New Molecular Entities and
                                                  has eliminated the fee for PASs.                        materials along with your registration                New Biological Therapeutics (October
                                                     In addition to program fees based on                 information to Derek Griffing (see FOR                2007 to December 2015); Establishment
                                                  total ANDA ownership, the proposed                      FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) by
                                                                                                                                                                of a Public Docket’’ that appeared in the
                                                  fee structure includes two other distinct               October 7, 2016. Early requests for oral              Federal Register of September 19, 2016
                                                  considerations for small businesses.                    presentations are recommended due to                  (81 FR 64177). The document
                                                  First, under GDUFA I, a facility would                  possible space and time limitations.                  announced the establishment of a
                                                  pay an annual fee if it was listed in an                FDA will accommodate as many                          docket to receive suggestions,
                                                  ANDA, regardless of whether it was                      requests for oral presentations as                    recommendations, and comments from
                                                  listed in any approved ANDAs. As a                      possible and will do so on a first-come,              interested parties (such as academic
                                                  result, a facility that is listed only in               first-served basis. The time allotted for             researchers, regulated industries,
                                                  pending applications is charged an                      presentations may depend on the                       consortia, and patient groups) on a list
                                                  annual GDUFA fee even though it has                     number of persons who wish to speak.                  of biomarkers that were used as
                                                  no generic drug revenue stream. Under                   Those requesting to present will receive              outcomes to develop FDA-approved
                                                  GDUFA II, no facility or ANDA sponsor                   confirmation once they have been                      new molecular entities (NMEs) and New
                                                  would be charged an annual fee until an                 accepted. Onsite requests for oral                    Biological Therapeutics from October
                                                  ANDA in which it is listed is approved.                 presentations on the day of the meeting               2007 to December 2015. The document
                                                  Second, the proposed structure adds a                                                                         was published without an active Web
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                                                                                                          will be based on time and space
                                                  facility category for contract                          availability. If the entire meeting time is           link. This document corrects that error.
                                                  manufacturing organizations (CMOs).                     not needed, FDA may end the public                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
                                                  CMOs are generally small businesses                     meeting early.                                        Granger, Food and Drug Administration,
                                                  that are hired by ANDA sponsors to                                                                            10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 32,
                                                  manufacture their generic drugs.                        V. Transcript Request                                 Rm. 3330, Silver Spring MD 20993–
                                                  Alternatively, some ANDA sponsors                          Please be advised that as soon as a                0002, 301–796–9115, lisa.granger@
                                                  manufacture their own drugs. Under the                  transcript is available, it will be                   fda.hhs.gov.


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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:23:08
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:23:08
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of public meeting; request for comments.
DatesThe public meeting will be held on October 21, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Submit electronic or written comments to the public docket by November 7, 2016.
ContactDerek Griffing, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 75, Rm. 1673, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 240-402- 6980, email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 66035 

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