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###### Department of Health and Human Services

###### Food and Drug Administration

          - [Docket No. FDA-2008-D-0391]

# AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled “Submission of Documentation in Applications for Parametric Release of Human and Veterinary Drug Products Terminally Sterilized by Moist Heat Processes.” This draft guidance provides recommendations to applicants on information to include in support of parametric release for sterile products terminally sterilized by moist heat when submitting a new drug application (NDA), abbreviated new drug application (ANDA), new animal drug application (NADA), abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA), or biologics license application (BLA).

# DATES:

Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the agency considers your comment on this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the guidance, submit written or electronic comments on the draft guidance by October 6, 2008.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidance to the Division of Drug Information, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 2201, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002; the Communications Staff (HFV-12), Center for Veterinary Medicine, 7519 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855; the Office of Communication, Training, and Manufacturers Assistance (HFM-40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448. The draft guidance may also be obtained by mail by calling CBER at 1-800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your requests. Submit written comments on the draft guidance to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to                         *http://www.regulations.gov*. See the                         **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                         section for electronic access to the draft guidance document.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marla Stevens-Riley, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (HFD-600), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 240-276-9310;

Deborah Trout, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-675), Food and Drug Administration, 8800 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20892, 301-827-3031; or

Mai Huynh, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-142), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 240-276-8273.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Background

FDA is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled “Submission of Documentation in Applications for Parametric Release of Human and Veterinary Drug Products Terminally Sterilized by Moist Heat Processes.” The draft guidance addresses the information that should be submitted in an approved new drug application (NDA), abbreviated new drug application (ANDA), new animal drug application (NADA), abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA), or biologics license application (BLA) in support of parametric release for sterile products terminally sterilized by moist heat.

“Parametric release” is defined as a sterility assurance release program where demonstrated control of the sterilization process enables a firm to use defined critical process controls, in lieu of the sterility test, to fulfill the intent of 21 CFR 211.167(a). Under this strategy, market release of terminally sterilized products can be based upon meeting the defined sterilization parameters and not on performing an approved sterility test. Meeting the requirements of the parametric release process can provide greater assurance that a batch meets the sterility requirement than can be achieved with a sterility test of finished units drawn from the batch.

Parametric release allows manufacturers to replace sterility testing of samples drawn from the finished product as a release criterion with acceptance criteria for the control of identified process parameters. Parametric release of the batch is then based on documented evidence of the control of critical parameters, removing the need for testing of samples drawn from the finished product.

An application to FDA is required to obtain approval for parametric release. The approval of parametric release is based on an assessment of the applicant's proposed critical process parameters and how they are controlled. Demonstrated reliability of the production terminal sterilization cycle, microbiological control and monitoring, and control of production cycle parameters within established validated limits is part of this assessment.

                    This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the agency's current thinking on inclusion of recommended                           ( print page 45455)                        information to support applications for parametric release of human and veterinary drug products terminally sterilized by moist heat processes. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.                

## II. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

This draft guidance contains information collection provisions that are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The collection of information requested in the draft guidance is covered under FDA regulations at 21 CFR 314.50, 314.70, and 314.81(b)(2) for human drugs, 21 CFR 514.1, 514.8, 514.8(b)(4) and (c) for animal drugs, and 21 CFR 601.2 and 601.12 for biologics. The collection of information is approved under the following OMB control numbers: 0910-0001 for human drugs, 0910-0600 for animal drugs, and 0910-0338 for biologics.

## III. Comments

                    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see                     **ADDRESSES**                    ) written or electronic comments regarding this document. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper 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 Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.                

                    Please note that on January 15, 2008, the FDA Division of Dockets Management Web site transitioned to the Federal Dockets Management System (FDMS). FDMS is a Government-wide, electronic docket management system. Electronic comments and submissions will be accepted by FDA only through FDMS at                     *http://www.regulations.gov*.                

## IV. Electronic Access

                    Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at                     *http://www.fda.gov/​cder/​guidance/​index.htm*,                     *http://www.fda.gov/​cber/​guidelines.htm*, or                     *http://www.regulations.gov*.                

Dated: July 29, 2008.

Jeffrey Shuren,

Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.

[FR Doc. E8-17855 Filed 8-4-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S