SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 505(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 355(j)) allows the submission of an ANDA to market a generic version of a previously approved drug product. To obtain approval, the ANDA applicant must show, among other things, that the generic drug product: (1) has the same active ingredient(s), dosage form, route of administration, strength, conditions of use, and (with certain exceptions) labeling as the listed drug, which is a version of the drug that was previously approved, and (2) is bioequivalent to the listed drug. ANDA applicants do not have to repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain approval of a new drug application (NDA).

Section 505(j)(7) of the FD&C Act requires FDA to publish a list of all approved drugs. FDA publishes this list as part of the “Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” which is known generally as the “Orange Book.” Under FDA regulations, drugs are removed from the list if the Agency withdraws or suspends approval of the drug's NDA or ANDA for reasons of safety or effectiveness or if FDA determines that the listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness (21 CFR 314.162).

A person may petition the Agency to determine, or the Agency may determine on its own initiative, whether a listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination may be made at any time after the drug has been withdrawn from sale, but must be made prior to approving an ANDA that refers to the listed drug (§ 314.161 (21 CFR 314.161)). FDA may not approve an ANDA that does not refer to a listed drug.

PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg, are the subject of NDA 020752, held by Merck & Co., Inc., and initially approved on May 29, 1998. PEPCID RPD is indicated for short term treatment of active duodenal ulcer, maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients at reduced dosage after healing of an active ulcer, short term treatment of active benign gastric ulcer, short term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions ( e.g., Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas).

In a letter dated September 11, 2013, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., (Merck) notified FDA that PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg, were being discontinued, and FDA moved the drug product to the “Discontinued Drug Product List” section of the Orange Book. In the same letter, Merck Sharp requested withdrawal of NDA 020752 for PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg. In the Federal Register of June 21, 2017 (82 FR 28322), FDA announced that it was withdrawing approval of NDA 020752, effective July 21, 2017.

Lachman Consultant Services, Inc. submitted a citizen petition dated June 29, 2026 (Docket No. FDA-2026-P-7178), under 21 CFR 10.30, requesting that the Agency determine whether PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg, were withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

After considering the citizen petition and reviewing Agency records and based on the information we have at this time, FDA has determined under § 314.161 that PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg, were not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. The petitioner has identified no data or other information suggesting that these drug products were withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. We have carefully reviewed our files for records concerning the withdrawal of PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg, from sale. We have also independently evaluated relevant literature and data for possible postmarketing adverse events. We have reviewed the available evidence and determined that this drug product was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

Accordingly, the Agency will continue to list PEPCID RPD (famotidine) orally disintegrating tablets, 20 mg and 40 mg, in the “Discontinued Drug Product List” section of the Orange Book. The “Discontinued Drug Product List” delineates, among other items, drug products that have been discontinued from marketing for reasons other than safety or effectiveness. ANDAs that refer to these drug products may be approved by the Agency as long as they meet all other legal and regulatory requirements for the approval of ANDAs. If FDA determines that labeling for these drug products should be revised to meet current standards, the Agency will advise ANDA applicants to submit such labeling.

91 FR 67587