[Federal Register: September 29, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 188)]

[Notices]               

[Page 50952-50953]

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

[DOCID:fr29se97-61]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 97D-0389]


 

FDA Approval of Animal Drugs for Minor Uses and Minor Species; 

Draft Guidance Document; Availability; Request for Comments


AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.



[[Page 50953]]



ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.


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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the 

availability for comment on a draft Level 1 guidance document entitled 

``FDA Approval of Animal Drugs for Minor Uses and for Minor Species.'' 

The guidance document defines minor species and minor uses and sets 

forth suggestions for generating safety and effectiveness data to 

support the approval of minor use and minor species drugs. The draft 

Level 1 guidance document sets forth substantive changes in policy that 

warrant input from affected parties.


DATES: Submit written comments on the draft guidance document by 

December 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch 

(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm 1-23, 

Rockville, MD 20857. Comments should be identified with the full title 

of the draft guidance document and the docket number found in brackets 

in the heading of this document.

    Submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidance 

document to the Communications and Education Team (HFV-12), Center for 

Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Pl., 

Rockville, MD 20855. Send two self-addressed adhesive labels to assist 

that office in processing your requests.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret R. Oeller, Center for 

Veterinary Medicine (HFV-130), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 

Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 301-594-1650. E-mail: 

moeller@bangate.fda.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 


I. Background


    FDA's draft guidance document entitled ``FDA Approval of Animal 

Drugs for Minor Uses and for Minor Species,'' is a Level 1 guidance 

document by definition in the Good Guidance Practices (62 FR 8961, 

February 27, 1997). This notice of availability for comment should not 

be confused with the Federal Register document of June 23, l997 (62 FR 

33781), entitled ``Request for Comments on Development of Options to 

Encourage Animal Drug Approvals for Minor Species and for Minor Uses,'' 

which dealt with the same subject matter but was issued to seek comment 

and suggestions on legislative and regulatory options which could be 

utilized if adopted in the future to facilitate approval of new animal 

drugs for minor uses and minor species.

    This draft, when finalized, will replace the previous guidance 

entitled ``Guidelines for the Preparation of Data to Satisfy the 

Requirements of Section 512 of the Act Regarding Minor Use of Animal 

Drugs,'' (guidelines) dated April 1986. In the Federal Register of May 

30, l986 (51 FR 19612), FDA issued a notice of availability of the 

guidelines. No comments were received on the guidelines. A previous 

version of the draft guidance document was made available in November 

1996 to interested parties who requested a copy.

    The draft guidance document suggests procedures that could be used 

to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a minor use animal drug. 

Minor use animal drugs are defined as: (1) New animal drugs used in 

minor animal species or (2) new animal drugs used in any animal species 

for the control of a disease that occurs infrequently or in limited 

geographic areas. ``Minor species'' are defined by regulation as 

animals other than cattle, horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and 

cats. According to current regulations, sheep are a minor species 

except with respect to human food safety data collection requirements, 

for which sheep are considered a major species. FDA intends to issue a 

proposed regulation in which sheep would be considered a minor species 

for all requirements of the drug approval process.

    The procedures set forth in the draft guidance document for 

demonstrating the safety and efficacy of a minor use animal drug apply 

to production drugs as well as therapeutic drugs.

    The draft guidance document has been organized in two parts. Part 1 

includes general information on the document, an overview of the 

approval process, data extrapolation, advice on working with the Center 

for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and definitions. Part 2 presents 

specific options for satisfying data requirements for minor uses in 

major species, minor avian species (gamebirds, semi-domestic waterfowl, 

and ratites), minor ruminants (goats, bison, semi-domestic deer), 

rabbits, and aquatic species (finfish, aquatic invertebrates, 

alligators, etc.). Each section in part 2 contains information on 

efficacy, target animal safety, human food safety, and environmental 

data requirements. The major data components, excluding manufacturing 

chemistry, of the animal drug approval process are represented in part 

2.

    When finalized, the draft guidance document will represent the 

agency's current thinking on the means of generating efficacy and 

safety data to support approval of new animal drug applications for 

minor use of new animal drugs. This draft guidance document will not 

create or confer any rights for or on any person and will 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.


II. Request for Comments


    Interested persons may, on or before December 29, 1997, submit to 

the Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments on the 

draft guidance document. Two copies of any comments are to be 

submitted, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to 

be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading 

of this document, and with the full title of the guidance document. The 

comments are available for public examination in the Dockets Management 

Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. After review 

of these comments, FDA will implement the guidance document with any 

appropriate changes. Thereafter, interested persons may submit written 

comment on the guidance document directly to the CVM Communications and 

Education Team (address above).


III. Electronic Access


    A copy of the draft guidance document may be obtained from the CVM 

Home Page on the Internet.


    Dated: September 17, 1997.

William K. Hubbard,

Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.

[FR Doc. 97-25667 Filed 9-26-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-F