A bill to establish a process for updating the labeling of certain drugs with outdated labeling.

To establish a process for updating the labeling of certain drugs with outdated labeling. 1. Process to update labeling for drugs with outdated labeling Chapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 351 503D. Process to update labeling for drugs with outdated labeling (a) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) The term covered drug (A) for which there are no unexpired patents included in the list under section 505(j)(7) and no unexpired period of market exclusivity; (B) for which the approval of the application has been withdrawn for reasons other than safety or effectiveness; and (C) for which, with respect to the labeling— (i) new scientific evidence is available regarding the conditions of use of the drug; (ii) there is a relevant accepted use in clinical practice that is not reflected in the approved labeling; or (iii) the labeling of such drug does not reflect current legal and regulatory requirements. (2) The term period of market exclusivity (3) The term generic version (4) The term relevant accepted use (5) The term selected drug (b) Identification of covered drugs The Secretary may identify covered drugs for which labeling updates would provide a public health benefit. To assist in identifying covered drugs, the Secretary may do one or both of the following: (1) Enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with public or private entities to review the available scientific evidence concerning such drugs. (2) Seek public input concerning such drugs, including input on whether there is a relevant accepted use in clinical practice that is not reflected in the approved labeling of such drugs or whether new scientific evidence is available regarding the conditions of use for such drug, by— (A) holding one or more public meetings; (B) opening a public docket for the submission of public comments; or (C) other means, as the Secretary determines appropriate. (c) Selection of drugs for updating If the Secretary determines, with respect to a covered drug, that the available scientific evidence meets the standards under section 505 for adding or modifying information to the labeling or providing supplemental information to the labeling regarding the use of the covered drug, the Secretary may initiate the process under subsection (d). (d) Initiation of the process of updating If the Secretary determines that labeling changes are appropriate for a selected drug pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary shall provide notice to the holders of approved applications for a generic version of such drug that— (1) summarizes the findings supporting the determination of the Secretary that the available scientific evidence meets the standards under section 505 for adding or modifying information or providing supplemental information to the labeling of the covered drug pursuant to subsection (c); (2) provides a clear statement regarding the additional, modified, or supplemental information for such labeling, according to the determination by the Secretary (including, as applicable, modifications to add the relevant accepted use to the labeling of the drug as an additional indication for the drug); and (3) states whether the statement under paragraph (2) applies to the selected drug as a class of covered drugs or only as to a specific drug product. (e) Response to notification Within 30 days of receipt of notification provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (d), the holder of an approved application for a generic version of the selected drug shall— (1) agree to change the approved labeling to reflect the additional, modified, or supplemental information the Secretary has determined to be appropriate; or (2) notify the Secretary that the holder of the approved application does not believe that the requested labeling changes are warranted and submit a statement detailing the reasons why such changes are not warranted. (f) Review of application holder's response (1) In general Upon receipt of the application holder’s response, the Secretary shall promptly review each statement received under subsection (e)(2) and determine which labeling changes pursuant to the Secretary's notice under subsection (d) are appropriate, if any. If the Secretary disagrees with the reasons why such labeling changes are not warranted, the Secretary shall provide opportunity for discussions with the application holders to reach agreement on whether the labeling for the covered drug should be updated to reflect current scientific evidence, and if so, the content of such labeling changes. (2) Changes to labeling After considering all responses from the holder of an approved application under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (e), and any discussion under paragraph (1), the Secretary may order such holder to make the labeling changes the Secretary determines are appropriate. Such holder of an approved application shall— (A) update its paper labeling for the drug at the next printing of that labeling; (B) update any electronic labeling for the drug within 30 days; and (C) submit the revised labeling through the form, Supplement—Changes Being Effected (g) Violation If the holder of an approved application for the generic version of the selected drug does not comply with the requirements of subsection (f)(2), such generic version of the selected drug shall be deemed to be misbranded under section 502. (h) Limitations; generic drugs (1) In general With respect to any labeling change required under this section, the generic version shall be deemed to have the same conditions of use and the same labeling as a reference drug for purposes of clauses (i) and (v) of section 505(j)(2)(A). Any labeling change so required shall not have any legal effect for the applicant that is different than the legal effect that would have resulted if a supplemental application had been submitted and approved to conform the labeling of the generic version to a change in the labeling of the reference drug. (2) Supplemental applications Changes to labeling made in accordance with this paragraph shall not be eligible for an exclusivity period under this Act. (i) Drug product classes In the case of a selected drug for which the labeling changes ordered by the Secretary under subsection (d)(2) are required for a class of covered drugs, such labeling changes shall be made for generic versions of such drug in that class. (j) Rules of construction (1) Approval standards This section shall not be construed as altering the applicability of the standards for approval of an application under section 505. No order shall be issued under this subsection unless the evidence supporting the changed labeling meets the standards for approval applicable to any change to labeling under section 505. (2) Removal of information Nothing in this section shall be construed to give the Secretary additional authority to remove approved indications for drugs, other than the authority to remove certain indications from the labels of certain covered drugs, as described in this section. (k) Reports Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this section and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report that— (1) describes the actions of the Secretary under this section, including— (A) the number of covered drugs and description of the types of drugs the Secretary has selected for labeling changes and the rationale for such recommended changes; and (B) the number of times the Secretary entered into discussions concerning a disagreement with an application holder or holders and a summary of the decision regarding a labeling change, if any; and (2) includes any recommendations of the Secretary for modifying the program under this section. .

Summary: This bill authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require updates to outdated labels for certain generic drugs if the updates will provide a public health benefit. Generally, the FDA may use this authority to update the label of a generic version of a brand-name drug that has been withdrawn from the market for reasons other than safety or effectiveness.