Regulatory Authority Actions

The approval marks the first biosimilar approved in the United States for treating cancers.

European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use grants a positive opinion for the approval of the biosimilar for treating breast cancer.

The agency is looking for industry input on best practices for continuous manufacturing.

A new collaboration between CDER and ORA will more fully integrate drug review programs with facility evaluations and inspections, in an effort to streamline drug reviews while strengthening manufacturing oversight.

FDA has put out an alert regarding the risks associated with using Keytruda in combination with other anti-cancer drugs based on interim results from two clinical trials that showed increased risk of death.

Faced with divisive political and social issues, Congress must find a way to reach consensus.

FDA issued a Refusal to File letter to Acorda Therapeutics, citing insufficiently complete information in the company’s new drug application for its investigational Parkinson’s disease drug.

An FDA evaluation concluded that Corden Pharma Latina’s corrective actions addressed the concerns in an FDA warning letter.

High-priority issues requiring immediate attention leave little time for Congress to consider drug access proposals that have limited bipartisan support.

FDA issues a statement on new policy and enforcement steps to ensure proper oversight of stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine in the wake of two incidents involving unauthorized stem-cell treatment activity.

FDA has signed a confidentiality commitment with the European Commission and the European Medicines Agency that allows FDA to share confidential information with EU regulations.

FDA sent a warning letter to Bicooya Cosmetics Limited after inspectors found rodent feces at the company’s Zhejiang, China facility.

The directors of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and Center for Devices and Radiological Health praised Congress’ reauthorization of user fee programs.

The agency published guidance on identifying trading partners under DSCSA.

A pilot program will offer instruction on scientific and regulatory guidelines including training on GMPs and quality.

The agency sent a warning letter to Cellex-C International regarding GMP violations found at the company’s Toronto facility.

Efforts to establish an international system for identifying and tracing drugs through the global supply chain are moving forward.

The China Food and Drug Administration has submitted its membership to the International Council for Harmonization.

The Senate voted 94–1 to approve legislation reauthorizing user fees and a series of program changes.

Following passage by the House in July 2017, the Senate has voted to pass a reauthorization bill for FDA user-fee programs for drugs and medical devices ahead of the user-fee programs’ expiration date.

The agency is asking for comments on a reflection paper on developing drugs for the needs of older patients.

The agency has developed a business continuity plan to ensure that the public’s health is protected during the agency’s relocation.

FDA urges manufacturers to seek fast approval of “high-need” generics and targeted therapies. 

Investigational failures and discrepancies can be avoided through the proper execution and documentation of investigations.

Manufacturers are seeking greater oversight of how providers reimburse for and dispense covered drugs.

The agency is offering patients with life-threatening diseases a how-to tool on accessing investigational drugs.

FDA sent a warning letter to Sage Products, Inc. regarding CGMP failures involving test methods, sampling, and sterilization procedures.

The agency will lead an international team to create a Supply Chain Security Toolkit of resources to educate the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries on supply chain vulnerabilities.

The agency recommended a total of 11 drugs at its July meeting, including five orphan drugs.

The agency cited the Italian company for aseptic processing failures.