[Federal Register: November 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 225)] [Notices] [Page 65715-65716] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23no99-55] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 97D-0318] Guidance for Industry: Revised Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and New Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) by Blood and Blood Products; Availability AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a guidance document (dated November 1999) entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Revised Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and New Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) by Blood and Blood Products.'' The guidance document provides comprehensive current recommendations, including new recommendations concerning nvCJD, to all registered blood and plasma establishments and all establishments engaged in manufacturing plasma derivatives. The guidance document is intended to replace the FDA guidance entitled ``Revised Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt- Jakob Disease (CJD) by Blood and Blood Products,'' dated August 1999. DATES: Written comments may be submitted at any time. The guidance is released for immediate implementation. For the purposes of this guidance document, FDA interprets immediate implementation to mean as soon as feasible, but not later than April 17, 2000. ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the guidance document entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Revised Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt- Jakob Disease (CJD) and New Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) by Blood and Blood Products'' to the Office of Communication, Training, and Manufacturers Assistance (HFM-40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your requests. The guidance document may also be obtained by mail by calling the CBER Voice Information System at 1-800-835--4709 or 301-827-1800, or by fax by calling the FAX Information System at 1-888-CBER-FAX or 3019827-3844. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the guidance document. Submit written comments on the guidance document to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie A. Butler, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-17), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-827- 6210. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance document entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Revised Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and New Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) by Blood and Blood Products.'' This guidance document is intended to replace the FDA guidance entitled ``Revised Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) by Blood and Blood Products'' dated August 1999 (64 FR 44739, August 17, 1999). The guidance document provides comprehensive current recommendations, including new recommendations concerning nvCJD, to all registered blood and plasma establishments and all establishments engaged in manufacturing plasma derivatives. FDA issued the August 1999 guidance for immediate implementation, and the agency requested that comments on the guidance document be submitted within 60 days of the notice of availability that published in the Federal Register announcing the guidance document. After reviewing the comments received, FDA has revised the August 1999 guidance document by issuing this guidance document. Significant changes made to the August 1999 draft guidance document since the 60- day comment period closed are as follows: (1) A new recommended deferral for donors who have injected bovine insulin since 1980 unless it has been established that the product was not manufactured since 1980 from cattle in the United Kingdom; (2) Removal of the deferral for recipients of human-pituitary derived gonadotropins; (3) A change in the suggested question to exclude donors with dura mater transplants; (4) In the case of travel to the United Kingdom, a change in the recommended frequency for donor questioning, now specified to take place only once for the donor; (5) An exception to consignee notification for the purpose of retrieval, quarantine, and destruction of blood components if there is definite knowledge that the plasma given to a consignee will no longer exist in the form of unpooled units; and (6) Additional clarification with regard to recipient tracing and notification in cases where the donor has CJD, nvCJD or risk factors for CJD. This guidance document is released for immediate implementation. For the purpose of this guidance document, FDA interprets immediate implementation to mean as soon as feasible, but not later than April 17, 2000. FDA recognizes that the scientific technology for determining individuals at risk for CJD and nvCJD, and detecting the infectious agents in tissues and in products, is continuing to advance, and that there may be a need for future updating of the relevant guidance. The guidance document represents the agency's current thinking on precautionary measures to reduce the possible risk and to assure that blood and blood products are not adulterated or misbranded, within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and are safe, pure and potent within the meaning of the Public Health Service Act. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statute, regulations, or both. As with other guidance documents, FDA does not intend this document to be all-inclusive and cautions that not all information may be applicable to all situations. The document is intended to provide information and does not set forth requirements. II. Comments Interested persons, may at any time, submit to the Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding this guidance document. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that [[Page 65716]] individuals may submit one copy. Comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. A copy of the guidance document and received comments are available for public examination in the Dockets Management Branch (address above) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. III. Electronic Access A copy of the guidance document may be obtained through FDA's Internet site at http://www.fda.gov/cber/guidelines.htm. Dated: November 16, 1999. Margaret M. Dotzel, Acting Associate Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 99-30526 Filed 11-22-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-F