[Printable PDF]
[Federal Register: May 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 93)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 26344-26348]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14my99-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 640
[Docket No. 98N-0608]
Revision of Requirements Applicable to Albumin (Human), Plasma
Protein Fraction (Human), and Immune Globulin (Human); Companion
Document to Direct Final Rule
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to amend
the biologics regulations by removing, revising, or updating specific
regulations applicable to blood derivative products to be more
consistent with current practices and to remove unnecessary or outdated
requirements. FDA is taking this action as part of the agency's ``Blood
Initiative'' in which FDA is reviewing and revising, when appropriate,
its regulations, policies, guidance, and procedures related to blood
products, including blood derivatives. This proposed rule is a
companion document to the direct final rule published elsewhere in this
issue of the Federal Register. FDA is taking this action because the
proposed changes are noncontroversial and FDA anticipates that it will
receive no significant adverse comment.
DATES: Submit written comments on or before July 28, 1999. If FDA
receives any significant adverse comment regarding this rule, FDA will
publish a document withdrawing the direct final rule within 30 days
after the comment period ends. FDA then and will proceed to respond to
the comments under this proposed rule using the usual notice and
comment procedures. Any parties interested in commenting on this
document should do so at this time.
If FDA receives no significant adverse comments within the
specified comment period, the agency intends to publish a document
confirming the effective date of the final rule in the Federal Register
within 30 days after the comment period on the direct final rule ends.
The direct final rule will be effective September 27, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the proposed rule to the Dockets
Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers
Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon A. Carayiannis, 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
This proposed rule is a companion to the direct final rule
published in the final rules section of this issue of the Federal
Register. This companion proposed rule will provide the procedural
framework to finalize the rule in the event that the direct final rule
receives any adverse comment and is withdrawn. The comment period for
this companion proposed rule runs concurrently with the comment period
for the direct final rule. Any comments received under this companion
rule will also be considered as comments regarding the direct final
rule. FDA is publishing the direct final rule because the rule contains
noncontroversial changes, and FDA anticipates that it will receive no
significant adverse comment.
A significant comment is defined as a comment that explains why the
rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's
underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or unacceptable
without a change. In determining whether a significant adverse comment
is sufficient to terminate a direct final rulemaking, FDA will consider
whether the comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a
substantive response in a notice-and-comment process. Comments that are
frivolous, insubstantial, or outside the scope of the rule will not be
considered significant or adverse under this procedure. A comment
recommending a rule change in addition to the rule would not be
considered a significant adverse comment, unless the comment states why
the rule would be ineffective without additional change. In addition,
if a significant adverse comment applies to an amendment, paragraph, or
section of this rule and that provision can be severed from the
remainder of the rule, FDA may adopt as final those provisions of the
rule that are not subjects of significant adverse comments.
If no significant adverse comment is received in response to the
direct final rule, no further action will be taken related to this
proposed rule. Instead, FDA will publish a confirmation document within
30 days after the comment period ends confirming that the direct final
rule will go into effect on September 27, 1999. Additional information
about FDA's direct rulemaking procedures is set forth in a guidance
published in the Federal
[[Page 26345]]
Register of November 21, 1997 (62 FR 62466).
For a variety of reasons, FDA has decided to comprehensively review
and, as necessary, revise its regulations, policies, guidance and
procedures related to the licensing and regulation of blood products.
FDA is issuing this companion proposed rule and the direct final rule,
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, as part of
the agency's ``Blood Initiative'' in which FDA is reviewing and
revising, when appropriate, its regulations, policies, guidance, and
procedures related to blood products, including plasma derivatives. The
``Blood Initiative'' is discussed in detail in the preamble to the
direct final rule.
FDA emphasizes that for many of the changes discussed below,
additional issues related to the regulations now being amended continue
to be under consideration by the agency. Further, more substantive
changes may be proposed at a later date. Accordingly, any comment
recommending an additional change to these regulations will not be
considered to be an ``adverse comment'' unless the comment demonstrates
that the change being made in the direct final rule represents a major
departure from current regulations or accepted industry standards, or
cannot be implemented without additional amendments to the regulations.
II. Legal Authority
FDA is proposing to promulgate this new rule under the biologics
products and communicable disease provisions of the Public Health
Service Act (PHS Act) (42 U.S.C. 262-264) and the drug, device, and
general administrative provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (the act) (21 U.S.C. 321, 331, 351-353, 355, 360, 360j,
371, and 374). Under these provisions of the PHS Act and the act, FDA
has the authority to promulgate and enforce regulations designed to
ensure that biological products are safe, pure, potent, and properly
labeled and to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of
communicable disease.
III. Highlights of the Proposed Rule
FDA is proposing to amend the biologics regulations by removing,
revising, or updating specific regulations applicable to blood
derivative products to be more consistent with current practices and to
remove unnecessary or outdated requirements. In addition, minor
editorial changes, such as correction of punctuation, would be made. As
previously discussed, FDA is also issuing these amendments directly as
a final rule because the agency believes they are noncontroversial and
that there is little likelihood that there will be comments opposing
the rule. FDA is identifying each of the changes included in the
proposed rule as follows.
A. Identification of Plasma as the Source Material for Derivative
Products
Sections 640.80(a), 640.90(a), and 640.100(a) (21 CFR 640.80(a),
640.90(a), and 640.100(a)) state the proper name and definition for
Albumin (Human), Plasma Protein Fraction (Human) and Immune Globulin
(Human), respectively. With the ubiquitous use of modern
anticoagulants, these products are prepared solely from human plasma.
Under the proposal, Secs. 640.80(a), 640.90(a), and 640.100(a) would be
changed from ``a sterile solution * * * human blood'' to ``a sterile
solution * * * derived from human plasma.''
Sections 640.80(b), 640.90(b), and 640.100(b) discuss source
material of Albumin (Human), Plasma Protein Fraction (Human), and
Immune Globulin (Human), respectively. With modern practice, these
products are no longer prepared from Whole Blood, sera, or human
placentas. FDA is proposing to change Secs. 640.80(b), 640.90(b), and
640.100(b) to clarify and update the requirements for source material.
Sections 640.80(b), 640.90(b), and 640.100(b) would be changed to read
``The source material of * * * shall be plasma recovered from Whole
Blood prepared as prescribed in Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source
Plasma prepared as prescribed in Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.''
B. Clarification for Microbial Contamination During Processing
Sections 640.81(c) and 640.91(c) (21 CFR 640.81(c) and 640.91(c))
discuss microbial contamination of source material and would be amended
to clarify that ``All processing steps shall be conducted in a manner
to minimize the risk of contamination from microorganisms, pyrogens, or
other impurities.''
C. Clarification of Process for Heat Treatment
Sections 640.81(e) and 640.91(e) discuss heat treatment and would
be amended to clarify that the heating process shall be continuous for
the time and at the temperature currently specified in the regulations.
In addition, FDA is proposing to correct Secs. 640.81(e) and 640.91(e)
by removing a degree sign to read ``60#0.5 C''.
D. Clarification for Stabilizer Used in Albumin (Human) and Plasma
Protein Fraction (Human)
Under the proposal, Secs. 640.81(f) and 640.91(f), Stabilizer,
would be amended by clarifying the range for acceptable amounts of
stabilizer(s) that shall be present in Albumin (Human) and Plasma
Protein Fraction (Human), respectively. Consistent with the amount of
stabilizer(s) currently used in these products, the regulations are
amended to require either 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
caprylate, or 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
acetyltryptophanate and 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
caprylate per gram (/g) of protein. FDA is proposing the word
``present'' be substituted for ``added'' in Secs. 640.81(f) and
640.91(f) to clarify that the regulation pertains to the amount of
stabilizer in the final product. In addition, Secs. 640.81(f) and
640.91(f) would be amended to simplify calculations of stabilizer(s)
content in Albumin (Human) and Plasma Protein Fraction (Human). Under
the proposal, manufacturers may employ the labeled value for the
protein concentration. For example, if the measured protein
concentration of a lot of 5 percent Albumin (Human) is 5.15 percent,
the calculations of stabilizer(s) content may use the labeled value of
5 percent. Thus, under this proposal, if the measured concentration of
sodium caprylate is 0.35 millimole/deciliter (dL) and the measured
protein concentration is 5.15 percent (i.e., 5.15 g/dL), the sodium
caprylate concentration may be calculated as 0.35 divided by 5, or 0.07
millimole/g of protein.
E. Revision of Terminology
Under the proposal, Secs. 640.82(a) and 640.82(d), Protein content
and Sodium content, respectively, would be amended by replacing
``content'' with ``concentration'' to be more precise.
Sections 640.82(c), 640.92(c), and 640.101(b) would be amended by
changing the term from ``hydrogen ion concentration'' to ``pH'' to
reflect the more commonly used terminology.
Section 640.82(e), Heme content, is replaced by Potassium
concentration, which describes the acceptable potassium concentration
of the final product. Heme concentration is well controlled by the
procedures currently used to prepare plasma, and all recent lots of
Albumin (Human) have heme concentrations well below the maximum
specified in the current regulation. FDA is proposing to update the
regulations by deleting the requirement for the determination of heme
content and replacing it with a
[[Page 26346]]
requirement that ``the potassium concentration of the final product
shall not exceed 2 milliequivalents per liter.'' All licensed
manufacturers are currently manufacturing Albumin (Human) with a
potassium concentration that does not exceed 2 milliequivalents per
liter. This proposed revision is also consistent with the current
requirements in Sec. 640.92(e) for the closely related product, Plasma
Protein Fraction.
FDA is proposing that Secs. 640.84(a)(1), 640.84(a)(4), 640.92(a),
640.92(d), 640.92(e), and 640.94(a), be amended by replacing
``content'' with 1``concentration'' to be more precise.Under the
proposal, Sec. 640.84(b) would be removed to be consistent with changes
made to Sec. 640.80(a) and (b). Sections 640.84(a)(1) through (a)(4)
would be redesignated as Sec. 640.84(a) through (d).
F. Correction of Spelling
Under the proposal, Sec. 640.91(b)(2) and (c) would be amended by
correcting the spelling of ``coefficient'' and ``contamination,''
respectively.
G. Revision of Range for Protein Concentration
Under the proposal, Sec. 640.92(a), Protein concentration, would be
corrected by changing ``5.0#0.3'' to ``5.0#0.30''
to reflect the precision of the value.
H. Revision of general requirements and sterilization and heating for
Immune Globulin (Human).
Under the proposal, Secs. 640.101(e)(3) and (e)(4) would be removed
to be consistent with current practice. The use of the current
attenuated strain of measles used in the manufacture of measles
vaccines licensed in the United States results in products that do not
require the concomitant administration of measles antibodies. Moreover,
the labeling for measles vaccines contains appropriate precautions
regarding the effect of Immune Globulin (Human). With the availability
of a highly effective vaccine, passive prophylaxis for poliomyelitis
with Immune Globulin (Human), which had only minimal effectiveness, was
discontinued many years ago.
FDA is proposing to remove Sec. 640.101(f), Samples and protocols,
to be consistent with current policy. Current policy permits
manufacturers of biological products, including plasma derivatives, to
request exemption from lot release by the Center for Biologics
Evaluation and Research (CBER). After review of the data submitted in
support of such a request, the Director, CBER, may grant the request,
thus decreasing the regulatory burden on the manufacturer and
permitting distribution of the product as soon as the manufacturer has
completed all necessary quality control procedures on a particular lot.
FDA is proposing to amend Sec. 640.102(e), Sterilization and
heating, by removing ``* * * 30 to * * *''. The effect of the
regulation would be unchanged by this proposed revision.
I. Revision of Determination of Protein Composition of Final Product
for Immune Globulin (Human)
Section 640.103(b) describes the protein composition of the Immune
Globulin (Human) final product in terms of absolute electrophoretic
mobility. This value was computed from measurements made by moving
boundary electrophoresis. For at least 25 years, the instrumentation
necessary for performing moving boundary electrophoresis has not been
commercially available. Accordingly, as such equipment was becoming
less available, all licensed manufacturers of Immune Globulin (Human)
calibrated more modern methods against moving boundary electrophoresis
and amended their product license applications for Immune Globulin
(Human) to provide for the use of the more modern methods. In addition,
using more modern methods of manufacturing and measurement,
manufacturers are now routinely making a more highly purified product.
Accordingly, FDA is proposing to amend Sec. 640.103(b) to read ``At
least 96 percent of the total protein shall be immunoglobulin G (IgG),
as determined by a method that has been approved for each manufacturer
by the Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and
Drug Administration.''
J. Revision of Minimum Levels for Measles Neutralizing Antibody and
Poliomyelitis Neutralizing Antibody
FDA is proposing to revise Sec. 640.104(b)(2), consistent with
current accepted practice, by eliminating a specified numerical value
for the measles neutralizing antibody level. This change would allow
more flexibility for industry and FDA, in that the regulations will no
longer become outdated each time a new reference standard is used. The
regulation would be changed to read ``A measles neutralizing antibody
level that, when compared with that of a reference material designated
by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and
Drug Administration, as indicated in paragraph (c) of this section,
demonstrates adequate potency. The Director, CBER, shall notify
manufacturers when a new reference material will be used and will
advise manufacturers of an appropriate antibody level taking into
account a comparison of the new reference material to the previous
reference material.''
FDA is proposing to revise Sec. 640.104(b)(3), consistent with
current accepted practice, by eliminating a specified numerical value
for the poliomyelitis neutralizing antibody level. This change allows
more flexibility for industry and FDA, in that the regulations will no
longer become outdated each time a new reference standard is used. The
regulation is changed to read ``A poliomyelitis Type 1, Type 2, or Type
3 neutralizing antibody level that, when compared with that of a
reference material designated by the Center for Biologics Evaluation
and Research, Food and Drug Administration, as indicated in paragraph
(c) of this section, demonstrates adequate potency. The Director, CBER,
shall notify manufacturers when a new reference material will be used
and will advise manufacturers of an appropriate antibody level taking
into account a comparison of the new reference material to the previous
reference material.''
K. Revision of Nomenclature for Reference Immune Globulin
FDA is proposing to amend Sec. 640.104(c)(1) and (c)(2) by removing
the word ``Serum'' to reflect the more precise nomenclature of
``Reference Immune Globulin * * *''
IV. Analysis of Impacts
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility
Act and the Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995.
FDA has examined the impact of the proposed rule under Executive
Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U. S. C. 601-612),
and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4). Executive
Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits of
available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to
select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including
potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other
advantages; distributive impact; and equity). The agency believes that
this proposed rule is consistent with the regulatory philosophy and
principles identified in the Executive Order.
The agency believes that this proposed rule is consistent with the
[[Page 26347]]
regulatory philosophy and principles identified in the Executive Order.
This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by
the Executive Order and therefore is not subject to review under the
Executive Order.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze
regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule
on small business entities. Because the proposed rule amendments have
no compliance costs and do not result in any new requirements, the
agency certifies that the proposed rule will not have a significant
negative economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Therefore, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, no further analysis is
required. This proposed rule also does not trigger the requirement for
a written statement under section 202(a) of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 because it does not impose a mandate that results in
an expenditure of $100 million or more by State, local, and tribal
governments in the aggregate, or by the private sector in any 1 year.
B. Environmental Impact
The agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.31(j) that this action is
of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant
effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental
assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
V. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
FDA tentatively concludes that this proposed rule contains no
collections of information. Therefore, clearance by the Office of
Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 is not
required.
VI. Request for Comments
Interested persons may, on or before July 28, 1999, submit to the
Docket Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding
this proposal. 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. Received comments may be seen in the office above between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 640
Blood, Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the
Public Health Service Act, and under authority delegated to the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs, it is proposed that 21 CFR part 640 be
amended as follows:
PART 640--ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR HUMAN BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS
1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 640 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 351, 352, 353, 355, 360, 371; 42
U.S.C. 216, 262, 263, 263a, 264.
2. Section 640.80 is amended by revising the last sentence in
paragraph (a) and by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.80 Albumin (Human).
(a) * * * The product is defined as a sterile solution of the
albumin derived from human plasma.
(b) Source material. The source material of Albumin (Human) shall
be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared as prescribed in
Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared as prescribed in
Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.
* * * * *
3. Section 640.81 is amended by revising the first sentence of
paragraph (c) and the last sentence in paragraph (e), and by revising
paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.81 Processing.
* * * * *
(c) Microbial contamination. All processing steps shall be
conducted in a manner to minimize the risk of contamination from
microorganisms, pyrogens, or other impurities. * * *
* * * * *
(e) Heat treatment. * * * Heat treatment shall be conducted so that
the solution is heated continuously for not less than 10 or more than
11 hours at an attained temperature of 60#0.5 +C.
(f) Stabilizer. Either 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
caprylate, or 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
acetyltryptophanate and 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
caprylate per gram of protein shall be present as a stabilizer(s).
Calculations of the stabilizer concentration may employ the labeled
value for the protein concentration of the product as referred to in
Sec. 640.84(d).
* * * * *
4. Section 640.82 is amended by revising the headings in paragraphs
(a) and (c), and by revising paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
* * * * *
Sec. 640.82 Tests on final product.
* * * * *
(a) Protein concentration.* * *
* * * * *
(c) pH. * * *
(d) Sodium concentration. The sodium concentration of the final
product shall be 130 to 160 milliequivalents per liter.
(e) Potassium concentration. The potassium concentration of the
final product shall not exceed 2 milliequivalents per liter.
* * * * *
5. Section 640.84 is amended by revising the introductory
paragraph, by removing paragraph (a) introductory text and paragraph
(b), by redesignating paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) as paragraphs
(a) through (d), respectively, and by revising newly redesignated
paragraphs (a) and (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.84 Labeling.
In addition to the labeling requirements of Secs. 610.60, 610.61,
and 610.62 of this chapter, the container and package labels shall
contain the following information:
(a) The osmotic equivalent in terms of plasma, and the sodium
concentration in terms of a value or a range in milliequivalents per
liter;
* * * * *
(d) The protein concentration, expressed as a 4 percent, 5 percent,
20 percent, or 25 percent solution.
6. Section 640.90 is amended by revising the last sentence in
paragraph (a) and by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.90 Plasma Protein Fraction (Human).
(a) * * * The product is defined as a sterile solution of protein
composed of albumin and globulin, derived from human plasma.
(b) Source material. The source material of Plasma Protein Fraction
(Human) shall be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared as
prescribed in Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared as
prescribed in Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.
* * * * *
7. Section 640.91 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(2) and (f),
and by revising the first sentence in paragraph (c) and the last
sentence in paragraph (e) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.91 Processing.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) Contains less than 5 percent protein with a sedimentation
coefficient greater than 7.0 S.
[[Page 26348]]
(c) Microbial contamination. All processing steps shall be
conducted in a manner to minimize the risk of contamination from
microorganisms, pyrogens, or other impurities. * * *
* * * * *
(e) * * * Heat treatment shall be conducted so that the solution is
heated continuously for not less than 10 or more than 11 hours at an
attained temperature of 60#0.5 +C.
(f) Stabilizer. Either 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
caprylate, or 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
acetyltryptophanate and 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium
caprylate per gram of protein shall be present as a stabilizer(s).
Calculations of the stabilizer concentration may employ the labeled
value 5 percent for the protein concentration of the product.
* * * * *
8. Section 640.92 is amended by revising the headings of paragraphs
(a) and (c), and by revising paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.92 Tests on final product.
* * * * *
(a) Protein concentration. * * *
* * * * *
(c) pH. * * *
(d) Sodium concentration. The sodium concentration of the final
product shall be 130 to 160 milliequivalents per liter.
(e) Potassium concentration. The potassium concentration of the
final product shall not exceed 2 milliequivalents per liter.
* * * * *
9. Section 640.94 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
Sec. 640.94 Labeling.
* * * * *
(a) The osmotic equivalent in terms of plasma, and the sodium
concentration in terms of a value or a range in milliequivalents per
liter.
* * * * *
10. Section 640.100 is amended by revising the last sentence in
paragraph (a), and by revising paragraphs (b) and (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 640.100 Immune Globulin (Human).
(a) * * * The product is defined as a sterile solution containing
antibodies derived from human plasma.
(b) Source material. The source material of Immune Globulin (Human)
shall be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared as prescribed in
Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared as prescribed in
Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.
(c) Additives in source material. The source material shall
contain no additives other than citrate or acid citrate dextrose
anticoagulant solution, unless it is shown that the processing method
yields a product free of the additive to such an extent that the
safety, purity, and potency of the product will not be affected
adversely.
Sec. 640.101 [Amended]
11. Section 640.101 General requirements is amended by removing the
heading of paragraph (b) ``Hydrogen ion concentration'' and by adding
in its place ``pH'' and by removing paragraphs (e)(3), (e)(4), and (f).
12. Section 640.102 is amended by revising the last sentence of
paragraph (e) to read as follows:
640.102 Manufacture of Immune Globulin (Human).
* * * * *
(e) * * * At no time during processing shall the product be exposed
to temperatures above 45 deg.C and after sterilization the product
shall not be exposed to temperatures above 32 deg.C for more than 72
hours.
13. Section 640.103 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 640.103 The final product.
* * * * *
(b) Protein composition. At least 96 percent of the total protein
shall be immunoglobulin G (IgG), as determined by a method that has
been approved for each manufacturer by the Director, Center for
Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration.
14. Section 640.104 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(2),
(b)(3), (c)(1), and (c)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 640.104 Potency.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) A measles neutralizing antibody level that, when compared with
that of a reference material designated by the Center for Biologics
Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, as
indicated in paragraph (c) of this section, demonstrates adequate
potency. The Director, CBER, shall notify manufacturers when a new
reference material will be used and will advise manufacturers of an
appropriate antibody level taking into account a comparison of the new
reference material to the previous reference material.
(3) A poliomyelitis Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 neutralizing antibody
level that, when compared with that of a reference material designated
by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug
Administration, as indicated in paragraph (c) of this section,
demonstrates adequate potency. The Director, CBER, shall notify
manufacturers when a new reference material will be used and will
advise manufacturers of an appropriate antibody level taking into
account a comparison of the new reference material to the previous
reference material.
(c) * * *
(1) Reference Immune Globulin for correlation of measles antibody
titers.
(2) Reference Immune Globulin for correlation of poliomyelitis
antibody titers, Types 1, 2, and 3.
Dated: April 20, 1999.
Jane E. Henney,
Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
Donna E. Shalala,
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 99-11898 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F