[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 11212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5964]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 93N-0190]


Padam C. Bansal; Grant of Special Termination; Final Order 
Terminating Debarment

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an order 
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) granting 
special termination of the debarment of Dr. Padam C. Bansal, 9 Powelson 
Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. FDA bases this order on a finding that Dr. 
Bansal has provided substantial assistance in the investigations or 
prosecutions of offenses relating to a matter under FDA's jurisdiction, 
and that special termination of Dr. Bansal's debarment serves the 
interest of justice and does not threaten the integrity of the drug 
approval process.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. 93N-0190 and be sent to 
the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 
12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Sullivan-Ford, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research (HFD-7), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 
Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 301-594-2041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of November 29, 1993 
(58 FR 62674), Dr. Padam C. Bansal, the former Director of Research and 
Development at Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Par), was permanently debarred 
from providing services in any capacity to a person with an approved or 
pending drug product application under sections 306(c)(1)(B), 
(c)(2)(A)(ii), and 201(dd) of the act (21 U.S.C. 335a(c)(1)(B), 
(c)(2)(A)(ii), and 321(dd)). The debarment was based on FDA's finding 
that Dr. Bansal was convicted of a felony under Federal law for conduct 
relating to the development or approval of any drug product, or 
otherwise relating to the regulation of a drug product (section 
306(a)(2) of the act). On December 29, 1993, Dr. Bansal applied for 
special termination of debarment, under section 306(d)(4) of the act, 
as amended by the Generic Drug Enforcement Act.
    Under section 306(d)(4)(C) and (D) of the act, FDA may limit the 
period of debarment of a permanently debarred individual if the agency 
finds that: (1) The debarred individual has provided substantial 
assistance in the investigation or prosecution of offenses described in 
subsections (a) or (b) of section 306 of the act or relating to a 
matter under FDA's jurisdiction; (2) termination of the debarment 
serves the interest of justice; and (3) termination of the debarment 
does not threaten the integrity of the drug approval process. Special 
termination of debarment is discretionary with FDA.
    FDA considers a determination by the Department of Justice 
concerning the substantial assistance of a debarred individual 
conclusive in most cases. Dr. Bansal fully cooperated with the 
Department of Justice investigations and prosecutions of others within 
Par, as substantiated by two letters received by FDA from the Maryland 
U.S. Attorney's Office. Accordingly, FDA finds that Dr. Bansal provided 
substantial assistance as required by section 306(d)(4)(C) of the act.
    The additional requisite showings, i.e., that termination of 
debarment serves the interest of justice and poses no threat to the 
integrity of the drug approval process, are difficult standards to 
satisfy. In determining whether these have been met, the agency weighs 
the significance of all favorable and unfavorable factors in light of 
the remedial, public health-related purposes underlying debarment. 
Termination of debarment will not be granted unless, weighing all 
favorable and unfavorable information, there is a high level of 
assurance that the conduct that formed the basis for the debarment has 
not recurred and will not recur, and that the individual will not 
otherwise pose a threat to the integrity of the drug approval process.
    Based on a thorough analysis of the available evidence, Dr. Padam 
C. Bansal has demonstrated that termination of his debarment serves the 
interest of justice and will not pose a threat to the integrity of the 
drug approval process.
    Under section 306(d)(4)(D) of the act, the period of debarment of 
an individual who qualifies for special termination may be limited to 
less than permanent but to no less than 1 year. Dr. Bansal's period of 
debarment has lasted more than 1 year. Accordingly, the Deputy 
Commissioner for Operations, under section 306(d)(4) of the act and 
under authority delegated to him (21 CFR 5.20), finds that Dr. Padam C. 
Bansal's application for special termination of debarment should be 
granted, and that the period of debarment should terminate immediately, 
thereby allowing him to provide services in any capacity to a person 
with an approved or pending drug product application. The Deputy 
Commissioner for Operations further finds that because the agency is 
granting Dr. Bansal's application, an informal hearing under section 
306(d)(4)(C) of the act is unnecessary.
    As a result of the foregoing findings, Dr. Padam C. Bansal's 
debarment is terminated, effective (insert date of publication in the 
Federal Register) (section 306(d)(4)(C) and (D) of the act).

    Dated: February 27, 1997.
Michael A. Friedman,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-5964 Filed 3-10-97; 8:45 am]
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