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Drug Master Files

Important Guidance Information

This site contains lists of Drug Master Files (DMFs) as well as information concerning submission of DMFs. The list is updated quarterly, although there may be delays of up to a month.  See below for information regarding the current DMF Guideline.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT DMFs

Please address ALL comments or questions regarding DMFs to dmfquestion@cder.fda.gov.  All inquiries MUST have an entry in the "Subject" field of the e-mail. Due to concerns about viruses and the amount of "spam" received by this account, e-mails with subject fields that are blank or contain meaningless text strings or contain only question marks will not be opened.

Other inquiries unrelated to DMFs should go to druginfo@fda.hhs.gov.

The list of DMFs is current as of March 31, 2009, through DMF 22735 Changes to the DMF activity status, DMF type, holder name, and subject made since the last update of December 31, 2008 are included.

People who downloaded the previous list (through DMF 22393 December 31, 2008) and do not wish to download the entire updated lists can use the following lists:

1. New DMFs since the last list.
2. A list of changes in DMF activity status, DMF type, holder name, and subject.

The lists are available in Microsoft Excel and in ASCII (tab-delimited).  Please note that only ACTIVE DMFs have been sorted into different types.

For the Excel files, the following lists are provided as different worksheets within one Excel file.

  • All DMFs
  • Active DMFs
  • Active Type II DMFs
  • Active Type III DMFs
  • Active Type IV DMFs
  • Active Type V DMFs

The following lists are still provided as separate files.

  • New DMFs since the last list
  • Changes

The types of DMFs are:

  • Type I Manufacturing Site, Facilities, Operating Procedures, and Personnel (no longer applicable)
  • Type II Drug Substance, Drug Substance Intermediate, and Material Used in Their Preparation, or Drug Product
  • Type III Packaging Material
  • Type IV Excipient, Colorant, Flavor, Essence, or Material Used in Their Preparation
  • Type V FDA Accepted Reference Information

All files zipped (2.6 MB) (updated 5/1/2009)

“A” = Active.  This means that the DMF was found acceptable for filing, administratively, and is up-to-date.
“I” = Inactive
“N” = Not an assigned number
“P” = DMF Pending Filing Review
INACTIVATION AND RETIREMENT OF DMFs
There are three reasons for a DMF to be listed as inactive:

  1. CLOSED BY THE HOLDER:  The holder requested that the DMF be retired, closed, inactivated, or withdrawn.
  2. CLOSED BY THE FDA:  The holder did not respond to an Overdue Notification Letter within 90 days to update the DMF.
  3. OVERDUE FOR UPDATE:  For DMFs submitted before March 31, 2006, a DMF is considered OVERDUE FOR UPDATE when there have been no technical amendments or annual reports submitted since that date.

Note that submission of a Letter of Authorization or an Administrative amendment (see below) is not sufficient to update a DMF.
Note that the status “Inactive” in the list does not distinguish among the reasons listed above.
According to the regulations regarding DMFs (21 CFR 314.420(c)):

“Any addition, change, or deletion of information in a drug master file (except the list required under paragraph (d) of this section) is required to be submitted in two copies and to describe by name, reference number, volume, and page number the information affected in the drug master file.”

As discussed in the "Guideline for Drug Master Files" (September 1989), DMF holders should update their DMFs annually (see below under Annual Reports).

Overdue Notice Letters:  FDA is in the process of sending “Overdue Notification Letters” (ONLs) to DMF holders for DMFs that are OVERDUE FOR UPDATE (see above). If a DMF holder does not respond to this letter within 90 days, the DMF will be considered “CLOSED BY THE FDA.”  It will then be RETIRED.

A RETIRED DMF is unavailable for review.  Note that there is a backlog in sending out ONLs.  DMF holders can forestall the sending of an ONL by updating their DMFs, following the procedure below under “Retaining the Activity of a DMF.”  Some DMFs may be listed as inactive which are, in fact, still active.  Every effort will be made to correct any errors.

Note that DMFs that are “CLOSED BY THE HOLDER” are also RETIRED and are unavailable for review.

Retaining the Activity of a DMF

A DMF holder that wants to retain the activity of a DMF that is listed as Inactive and that was not CLOSED BY THE HOLDER or CLOSED BY THE FDA should use the following decision tree:
1.         Have there been changes to the technical information in the DMF?

  • If “”No”, go to #3 below.
  • If “Yes” submit an amendment listing all the changes.  See NOTE below. This includes technical information usually submitted on a periodic basis (e.g., stability updates).  Go to #4 below.

2.         Have there been changes to the Administrative Information (see below) in the DMF?

  • If “No”, go to #3 below.
  • If “Yes” submit a separate “Administrative Amendment” for each change.  See NOTE below.  Go to #4 below

3.         If there have been no changes, submit an Annual Report stating that no changes have been made to the DMF.  Include Authorized Party Information as specified below.

4.         If there have been changes that were reported in the amendment(s) in #1 and/or #2 above, submit an Annual Report listing:

a.         the date(s) of the amendment(s)
b.         the subject(s) of the amendment(s)
c.         Authorized Party Information as specified below.


NOTE: New technical and/or administrative information may be submitted at the same time as the Annual Report.  See Submissions Containing More than One Document Category below.

Note that Authorized Party Information should be included to maintain the activity of the DMF.

There may be a lag time between closure of a DMF (either by lack of timely response to an ONL or closure by the holder) and its being RETIRED by FDA.  DMF holders who wish to reactivate a CLOSED DMF should contact dmfquestion@cder.fda.gov to determine whether the DMF has been RETIRED by FDA.

GUIDANCES

DMF Guideline  The version posted on the web is the current version.  Note that the address for submitting DMF documentation to the FDA in the Guidance has been superseded by the Beltsville address below. No revision is planned for the immediate future. Please address question regarding the DMF Guideline to dmfquestion@cder.fda.gov

Note: FDA regulations require that all submissions to INDs and NDAs that are in a foreign language have “complete and accurate translations.” The same is true for DMFs. A “certified” translation is not required.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DMFs

See http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/ONDQA/presentations/shaw.pdf

The recommendations in the DMF Guidance are, in general, still applicable.  However the information below provides additional information or clarification of the recommendations in the Guidance.  This information provided below falls into three categories

1. Recommendations that are no longer applicable due to changes in regulations or guidances.
2. Additional clarification of recommendations in the Guidance.
3. New information for aspects of DMF filing that were not in effect when the Guidance was written.

Address for Filing Original DMFs and Subsequent DMF Documents (Category 3)

Food and Drug Administration
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Central Document Room
5901-B Ammendale Road
Beltsville MD 20705-1266

Format and Content of the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Section of an Application (Category 1)

The “Guideline for the Format and Content of the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Section of an Application” cited in the DMF Guidance has been withdrawn.  DMFs may be submitted following the format recommended in the "Guidance for Industry  M4Q: The CTD - Quality".

TYPES OF DMFs

Type I DMFs (Category 1)

Type I DMFs are no longer accepted per a Final Rule published January 12, 2000 (65 FR 1776). See Type V DMFs below.

Holders of Type II, III, and IV DMFs should not place information regarding facilities, personnel or operating procedures in these DMFs.  Only the addresses of the DMF holder and manufacturing site and contact personnel should be submitted.

Type II DMFs (Category 1)

Type II DMFs may be submitted in the format for "Drug substance" in the "Guidance for Industry  M4Q: The CTD - Quality".(Category 3)  Drug Substance:

See the current Guideline for Submitting Supporting Documentation in Drug Applications for the Manufacture of Drug Substances.

For Type II DMFs filed in CTD-Q format, Module 2 is expected.

Drug Product:

See the Guideline For Submitting Supporting Documentation In Drug Applications For The Manufacture Of Drug Products.

Type III DMFs (Category 1)

The applicable Guidance for Type III DMFs is the “Guidance for Industry: Container Closure Systems for Packaging Human Drugs and Biologics:  CHEMISTRY, MANUFACTURING, AND CONTROLS DOCUMENTATION”  and Questions and Answers. PDF Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (Category 3)

Type V DMFs (Category 3)

The following types of DMFs may be filed as Type V DMFs without requesting prior clearance from FDA.

For other submissions as Type V DMFs, holders may send their request to dmfquestion@cder.fda.gov, explaining the necessity for filing the information in a Type V DMF.

Administrative Information in a DMF (Category 3)

The only elements of the administrative information that should be in a DMF are:

    • The name and address of the holder
    • The name and address of manufacturing facility
    • For the contact person:
      • Name
      • Address
      • Telephone number
      • Fax number
      • E-mail address

The appointment of an Agent is optional.  See discussion below under “Agents”

Submission of Amendments, Annual Reports, and Letters of Authorization (Category 3)

To facilitate processing of documents that are submitted to an existing DMF, please list the contents of your document in bold type on the transmittal letter.  More than one document category can be used.  Please use the following as a guide.

  • Annual Report
  • Letter of Authorization
  • Amendment:
  • Administrative amendment
    • Closure Request
    • Change in Holder
    • Change in Address or Name of Holder
    • Change in Agent
    • Change in Contact Person at Holder
    • Change in Contact Person at Agent
  • Technical amendment
    • Microbiology information       Microbiology information not in response to a Letter
    • Quality information: Includes:
          • General Information
          • Manufacturing Process
          • Manufacturing Site
          • Characterization
          • Specifications, including test methods
          • Reference Standards or Materials
          • Container Closure System
          • Stability
    • New Item
    • Response to Letter dated DATE:
          • Includes responses to Deficiency or Information Request Letter, for both chemistry and microbiology issues.
          • Does NOT include responses to Overdue Notice Letters (ONLs)

A response to an ONL should be identified as Microbiology or Quality, Annual Report or a Closure Request.  Responses to ONLs that state that an update will be submitted in the future are not sufficient to keep the DMF in active status.

The heading on the transmittal letter for Quality information amendments should specify the type of changes covered, using the list above e.g. Quality- Stability or New Item

Submissions Containing More than One Document Category (Category 3)

A submission may contain more than document category; however, these must be listed in the heading of the transmittal letter.  For example a submission can contain an Annual Report and a stability update.  In that case the heading should be:
Annual Report
Quality-Stability
ELECTRONIC DMFs (Category 3)

See Guidance for Industry: Providing Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format — Human Pharmaceutical Product Applications and Related Submissions Using the eCTD Specifications   . To make sure you have the most recent versions of the specifications referenced in this guidance please check Electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD).  Companies are encouraged to submit their DMFs in electronic form, including updating current paper DMFs.  Note that all applications to CDER, including DMFs, that are submitted in electronic format MUST be in ECTD format, unless a waiver is granted.  http://www.fda.gov/cder/regulatory/ersr/waiver.htm.

All Letters of Authorization for electronic DMFs should specify that the DMF has been submitted in electronic format. An electronic LOA may not be submitted to a paper DMF unless there is an accompanying amendment converting the DMF to electronic format.

Module 1 should contain the following information

Section 1.2:     Cover Letter and Statment of COmmitment

Section 1.3:    Administrative Infromation

1.3.1 Contact/sponsor/Applicant information

1.3.1.1 Change of address or corporate name
Can be used to supply addresses of DMF holder and manufacturing and testing facilities
1.3.1.2 Change in contact/agent
Can be used to supply the name and address of contact persons and/or agents, including Agent Appointment Letter.

1.4.1 - Letter of Authorization
Submission by the owner of information, giving authorization for the information to be used by another.

1.4.2 - Statement of Right of Reference
Submission by recipient of a Letter of Authorization with a copy of the LOA and statement of right of reference.

1.4.3 - List of authorized persons to incorporate by reference
Generally submitted in DMF annual reports.


Companies that wish to submit an annual report or amendment in electronic format may do so. However, once the DMF holder has made an electronic submission every subsequent submission must be in electronic format. In such cases DMF holders are advised to resubmit the entire DMF in CTD format as an amendment. This allows the DMF to be reviewable in its entirety using the electronic DMF rather than mixing paper and electronic formats. If there are any changes in the technical content of the DMF as a result of the reformatting, e.g. addition of new information, the cover letter for the amendment should specify what areas of technical information have been changed.

DMFs that cover multiple items e.g. Type III DMFs for components of container-closure systems or Type IV DMFs for flavors, can be submitted in ECTD format.  Note that this format simply provides the backbone for the submission and a guide as to where to place information.  It is not necessary to submit all Modules nor is it necessary to submit all sections within a Module.  However, Module 1 is required for all eCTD submissions, as it contains the necessary administrative information to identify the DMF. The technical information can be in Module 3, following the outline in the Drug Substance Section.   The different sections within 3.2.S. can be populated as appropriate.  Each product e.g. different flavors, would have a different name e.g. 3.2.S.[Flavor 1], 3.2.S.[Flavor 2].  Information that is common to different products e.g. analytical procedures can be accessed by links from the relevant section for that product e.g. 3.2.4.2 [Flavor 1].

Products manufactured at separate facilities do not need to be filed as separate sections unless the manufacturing processes are different.

Electronic signatures are accepted for electronic DMFs.

LETTERS OF AUTHORIZATION (Category 2)

All Letters of Authorization (LOAs) must be submitted in two copies to the DMF.  A copy of the LOA must then be sent by the DMF holder to the Authorized Party (company or individual authorized to incorporate the DMF by reference).  Failure to submit the LOA to the DMF may result in a delay in review of the DMF.  LOAs should specify name of the specific item being referenced and the date of the submission of information about that item.AGENTS (Category 2)

There is no regulatory requirement for an agent for any DMF, foreign or domestic. An agent for DMF purposes is not the same as an agent for the purposes of the Drug Listing and Registration System. (DRLS).  According to a Federal Register Notice, November 27, 2001 (Vol. 6, No. 228), effective May 24, 2002, all foreign drug establishments are required to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and all foreign firms are required to register and identify a United States agent.

All “Agent Appointment Letters” for DMFs should be sent by the holder. FDA recommends that such letters include the phrase “appoint AGENT NAME as the agent for DMF” rather than “authorize AGENT NAME to act as the agent for DMF,” since the latter can be confused with a “Letter of Authorization”. An “Agent Appointment Letter” may be included in an original DMF.

If possible, the word “Agent” should be used for the legal entity (whether a company or an individual) who is authorized to act on behalf of the DMF holder.  The word “Representative” should be used for an individual who is employed by the Agent or Holder as the contact point for FDA.

If a company acting as an Agent changes its name, FDA recommends that the DMF holder issue a new Agent Appointment Letter.

See above regarding Submissions Containing More than One Document Category .

A different agent can be appointed for different DMFs submitted by the same holder.

HOLDER NAMES (Category 2)

When the company that owns a DMF (DMF holder) changes its name, whether through sale of the company or simply a change in the company’s name, the DMF holder must notify FDA.  See Section VII.E. in the Guideline for DMFs for further recommendations on the procedure for transferring ownership.  A change in the name of a company for registration purposes under DRLS will not change the DMF holder name.

A DMF holder is expected to retain a complete reference copy that is identical to, and maintained in the same chronological order as, their submissions to FDA (See Section IV.D.1 in the Guideline for DMFs).  Therefore the old owner of the DMF is expected to transfer that copy to the new owner of the DMF.

In general FDA expects the manufacturer to be the holder. If a manufacturer (Company A) of a MATERIAL wishes to have the DMF submitted by another company (Company B) and Company B wishes to act as the holder, the DMF should include statements from both companies that Company B takes full responsibility for all the information in the DMF and for all the processes and testing performed by the manufacturer. The title of the DMF which will appear on the list of DMFs will be “MATERIAL manufactured in LOCATION OF COMPANY A for COMPANY B.”
See above regarding Submissions Containing More than One Document Category.

ANNUAL REPORTS (Category 2)
According to the DMF Guideline, Annual Reports are NOT to be used to report changes in the DMF.  However, as described above, an Annual Report can be submitted at the same time as other information.  See above regarding Submissions Containing More than One Document Category.

Note that Annual Reports to DMFs are not REQUIRED by law or regulation.

“Section VII.C.

The holder should provide an annual report on the anniversary date of the original submission. This report should contain the required list as described in B.1. and should also identify all changes and additional information incorporated into the DMF since the previous annual report on the subject matter of the DMF.“

“VII. B.1.

A DMF is required to contain a complete list of persons authorized to incorporate information in the DMF by reference [21 CFR 314.420(d)]. The holder should update the list in the annual update. The updated list should contain the holder's name, DMF number, and the date of the update. The update should identify by name (or code) the information that each person is authorized to incorporate and give the location of that information by date, volume, and page number.”

Authorized Party Information:

This can be one of the following:

  • A complete list of Authorized Parties, including the information specified in the Guidance.  This should not be simply a list of Authorized Parties added since the Annual Report.
  • A statement that no changes have been made to the list of Authorized Parties since the last Annual Report.
  • A statement that there are no Authorized Parties.

Note that an “Annual Update” and an “Annual Report” are the same thing.

BIOLOGICS MASTER FILES (Category 3)
Master Files submitted in support of products regulated by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) should be submitted as BB-MFs.  See the CBER web site for the products regulated by CBER.

BINDERS (Category 2)

See ”FDA IND, NDA, ANDA, or Drug Master File Binders These are actually covers. One copy of the DMF should use the blue cover and one should use the red cover.  Fasteners must be obtained separately.  2 Piece Prong Fasteners, 8 1/2" Center to Center, 3 1/2" Capacity

FEES (Category 3)

There are no fees or charges for filing a DMF.

FORMS  (Category 2)
There are no forms for DMFs.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF DMFs (Category 2)

The public availability of the contents of DMFs is covered in 21 CFR 314.430(e).  All requests for information about DMFs beyond that provided in the tables above must be made through the CDER Freedom of Information Web site.

FILING DMFs AND PATENT EXPIRATION AND EXCLUSIVITY ISSUES (Category 2)
DMFs may be filed at any time.  The Patent Expiration date and the Exclusivity Expiration dates listed in the Orange Book have no impact on DMF filing.  The submission of Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) that reference DMFs are subject to the regulations regarding filing of ANDAs.

 

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Date created: April 17, 2001; updated April 24, 2009

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