Human drugs: Drugs withdrawn from sale for reasons other than safety or effectiveness— Periactin,

[Federal Register: May 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 102)]

[Notices]

[Page 31720]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr28my03-64]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 02P-0479]

Determination That Periactin Was Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that Periactin (cyproheptadine hydrochloride (HCl)) 4-milligram (mg) tablets were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination will allow FDA to approve abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) for cyproheptadine HCl 4-mg tablets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Catchings, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (HFD-7), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-594-2041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1984, Congress enacted the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-417) (the 1984 amendments), which authorized the approval of duplicate versions of drug products approved under an ANDA procedure. ANDA sponsors must, with certain exceptions, show that the drug for which they are seeking approval contains the same active ingredient in the same strength and dosage form as the ``listed drug,'' which is a version of the drug that was previously approved under a new drug application (NDA). Sponsors of ANDAs do not have to repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain approval of an NDA. The only clinical data required in an ANDA are data to show that the drug that is the subject of the ANDA is bioequivalent to the listed drug.

The 1984 amendments include what is now section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(j)(7)), which 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 generally known as the ``Orange Book.'' Under FDA regulations, drugs are withdrawn from the list if the agency withdraws or suspends approval of the drug's NDA or ANDA for reasons of safety or effectiveness, or if FDA determines that the listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness (21 CFR 314.162). Under Sec. 314.161(a)(1) (21 CFR 314.161(a)(1)), the agency must determine whether a listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness before an ANDA that refers to that listed drug may be approved. FDA may not approve an ANDA that does not refer to a listed drug.

Periactin 4-mg tablets are the subject of NDA 12-649. On October 17, 1961, Merck & Co., Inc., received approval to market Periactin 4-mg tablets.

On November 5, 2002, CorePharma LLC submitted a citizen petition (Docket No. 02P-0479/CP1) under 21 CFR 10.30 requesting that the agency assign reference listed drug status to a currently marketed cyproheptadine hydrochloride 4-mg tablet drug product. At that time, FDA exercised its discretion under Sec. 314.161(a) to determine if Periactin 4-mg tablets were withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

After reviewing agency records, FDA has determined that Periactin 4-mg tablets were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Accordingly, the agency will continue to list Periactin 4-mg tablets 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 Periactin 4-mg tablets may be approved by the agency.

Dated: May 19, 2003. Jeffrey Shuren, Assistant Commissioner for Policy.

[FR Doc. 03-13193 Filed 5-27-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S