In this post, we discuss FDA’s conduct of inspections of manufacturing facilities for new drugs and biologics during the COVID-19 pandemic. These inspections, known as pre-approval and pre-licensure inspections (PAIs/PLIs, respectively), are performed to give FDA assurance that a manufacturing site named in a new drug or biologics license application…
In August, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced that the FDA will not require premarket review of laboratory developed tests (LDTs), whether COVID-19 related or not, absent notice-and-comment rulemaking. Labs may voluntarily seek a premarket approval, 510(k) clearance, or an emergency use authorization (EUA) for their…
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains two searchable online databases for approved products: the Purple Book (approved licensed biological products) and the Orange Book (approved drug products). The Orange Book provides details about an approved drug product, including the patents covering the approved drug product and the expiration dates…
As the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. is expected to climb to between 180,000 to 200,000 by September 5, 2020[1][2], there currently are no FDA-approved vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, the FDA has granted emergency use authorizations to some products for use in…
President Trump recently announced four Executive Orders that direct the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement policy changes to reduce out-of-pocket costs and the price of prescription drugs. All but one of the Executive Orders has been issued with the remaining order on hold…
The urgent needs of the COVID-19 pandemic have more squarely brought into focus the role real-world evidence (RWE) can play in analyzing and informing product development and clinical and public health decisions. Specifically, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is participating in the COVID-19 Evidence Accelerator, in partnership with…
The patient voice is recognized as one of the most critical sources of data in drug development, and patients play an increasingly important role in these efforts by teaching us about their experience with their condition and its impact. A common way sponsors can leverage the patient experience is by…
Healthcare companies are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. This includes heightened enforcement risks. A key area of risk is the federal False Claims Act (FCA), a powerful tool for the DOJ to seek substantial penalties including three times the amount of money a company received…
Developers of certain digital health devices for treating psychiatric disorders may be able to take advantage of an FDA enforcement policy, which remains in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The policy applies to certain prescription computerized behavioral therapy (CBT) devices for psychiatric disorders, digital health…
As part of the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 10, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“Secretary”) issued a Declaration pursuant to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (“PREP Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 247d-6d. This Declaration activated immunity from personal injury, property damage,…
