The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA, P.L. 112-144)
Released: 2013-02-04T00:00:00

Background

The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), P.L. 112-144 , continues the five-year reauthorization cycle of the prescription drug and medical device user fee programs that allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect fees and use the revenue to support the review of brand-name drug, biological product, and device marketing applications. In addition to titles that would reauthorize the drug and device user fee programs, FDASIA includes additional titles that create new user fee authority for generic drugs and biosimilar biological products; permanently authorize programs to encourage or require studies of drugs for pediatric use; and amend the law regarding medical device regulation, drug regulation, and several areas, such as advisory committee conflict of interest, that cut across FDA product areas. Congress also made user fee reauthorizing legislation in 2007 a vehicle for addressing other FDA-related issues.

Throughout the legislative process in both chambers of the 112 th Congress, the chairs and ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce expressed their intention to complete the user fee reauthorizing legislation sufficiently before the October 1, 2012, deadline to avoid disrupting FDA drug and device review staffing and activities, referring to the user fee reauthorizations as must-pass legislation. Table 1 displays the timeline of relevant committee activity.

FDASIA has 11 titles, as listed in Table 2 . Titles I through IV authorize FDA to collect fees and use the revenue to support specified activities for the review of prescription brand-name drugs and biological products, medical devices, generic drugs, and biosimilar biological products. Title V permanently authorizes the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and the Pediatric Research Equity Act. Title VI addresses a variety of aspects of pre- and postmarket medical device regulation. Titles VII through X address the regulation of drugs, including the supply chain, antimicrobial development, expedited drug approval, and shortages. Title XI, titled Other Provisions, covers medical gas products, drug abuse, and advisory committee conflicts of interest, among other topics.

The remainder of this report presents a general overview of FDASIA by title and section, providing a narrative overview of each title, as well as a brief description of each section in the statute. Appendix A lists the time-specific requirements of federal entities dictated by FDASIA. Appendix B provides a list of abbreviations and acronyms. For a comparative analysis of the provisions in the initial Senate- and House-passed versions of this legislation, see CRS Report R42564, FDA User Fees and the Regulation of Drugs, Biologics, and Devices: Comparative Analysis of S. 3187 and H.R. 5651 , coordinated by [author name scrubbed]. The 14 tables in that report provide comparisons of the provisions in S. 3187 [ES] and H.R. 5651 [EH] and pre- P.L. 112-144 law.

Title I—Fees Relating to Drugs

FDASIA reauthorizes the prescription drug user program for another five years, from FY2013 through FY2017. With the Prescription Drug User Fee Act in 1992, Congress authorized FDA to collect user fees from the manufacturers of brand-name prescription drugs and biological products and to use the revenue for specified activities. PDUFA became possible when FDA, industry, and Congress agreed on two concepts: (1) performance goals —FDA would commit to performance goals it would negotiate with industry that set target completion times for various review processes; and (2) use of fees —the revenue from prescription drug user fees would be used only for activities to support the review of human drug applications and would supplement—rather than replace—funding that Congress appropriated to FDA. The added resources from user fees allowed FDA to increase staff to review what was then a backlog of new drug applications and to reduce application review times. Over the years, Congress has added similar authority regarding the regulatory review of medical devices and animal drugs. User fees make up 35% of the FY2012 FDA budget. Their contribution to FDA's human drug program is larger at 51%.

Following the precedent set by PDUFA, all the user fee programs addressed in this legislation include both (1) legislation and (2) performance goals agreements developed with representatives of the regulated industry in consultation with representatives of patients and advocates, academic and scientific experts, and congressional committees.

FDA may use the revenue from PDUFA fees to support "the process for the review of human drug applications." With each reauthorization of PDUFA, Congress has expanded the range of activities included in that phrase. The prescription drug user fee program covers new drugs whose sponsors are the first to apply for marketing approval (excluding, therefore, generic drugs) and new biological products (excluding, therefore, the new category of biosimilar biological products).

FDASIA continues the overall approach begun by the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and amended by PDUFA II, III, and IV to include an annual total revenue to be equally divided among three types of fees—application, establishment, and product. It also continues to define activities for which FDA can use fee revenue as those necessary for the review of human drug applications and supplements; the issuance of action letters; inspection of prescription drug establishments and other facilities; activities necessary for the review of applications for licensure of biological product establishments and for the release of lots of biologics; and monitoring of research conducted in connection with the review of human drug applications.

In general, Title I, the Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2012 (commonly referred to as PDUFA V):

Sets total fee revenue for FY2013 at $693,099,000, to be divided evenly among application fees, establishment fees, and product fees (§103). Continues the authority to annually adjust the total revenue allowed by inflation and workload adjustments and changes the methodology to calculate annual inflation adjustments (§103). Allows for the early payment of authorized fees (§103). To ensure that user fees supplement rather than replace congressional appropriations, continues the requirements, referred to as "triggers," that FDA may collect and use fees only if, for each year, (a) FDA spends at least as much from direct appropriations for the review of human drug applications as it had in FY1997 (adjusted for inflation), and (b) appropriations (excluding fees) for FDA salaries and expenses, overall, are equal to or greater than the appropriations (excluding fees and adjusted for inflation) for FY1997 (§103). Continues the requirement for annual performance and fiscal reports and adds reporting requirements (§104). Authorizes these prescription drug user fees from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2017 (§§105 and 106). Includes a savings clause noting that fees for applications accepted by FDA for filing before October 1, 2012, will remain as under prior law (§107).

Title II—Fees Relating to Devices

Medical devices are a wide range of products that are used to diagnose, treat, monitor, or prevent a disease or condition in a patient. For many medical devices, FDA approval or clearance must be obtained prior to marketing in the United States. Congress gave FDA the authority to collect fees from the medical device industry in 2002. User fees and direct appropriations from Congress fund review of medical devices by the FDA. The user fees support the FDA's medical device premarket review program to help reduce the time it takes the agency to review and make decisions on marketing applications. The medical device user fee program was modeled after the PDUFA program. It provides revenue for FDA; in conjunction, the agency negotiates with industry to set performance goals for the premarket review of medical devices.

In general, Title II, the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2012:

Changes the definition of "establishment subject to a registration fee" (§202). Changes the fee for a premarket notification submission, also called a 510(k) submission, from 1.84% of the premarket application (PMA) fee to 2% of the PMA fee; other fees are unchanged (§203). Sets for each fiscal year the PMA fee amounts, which start at $248,000 per application in FY2013 rising to $268,443 in FY2017, and annual establishment fee amounts, which start at $2,575 per manufacturing establishment in FY2013 rising to $3,872 in FY2016 and FY2017 (§203). Sets the total fee revenue amounts for each fiscal year, which start at $97,722,301 in FY2013 rising to $130,184,348 in FY2017 (§203). Allows for adjustment of the total revenue amounts by a specified inflation adjustment, with PMA and establishment fees adjusted accordingly (§203). Allows for the waiver or reduction of a PMA fee or establishment fee if that is in the interest of public health (§203). To ensure that user fees supplement rather than replace congressional appropriations, continues the requirement, referred to as a "trigger," that FDA may collect and use fees only if the direct appropriations for devices and radiological products remain at a level (adjusted for inflation) equal to or greater than the amount specified in law (§203). Allows for the early payment of authorized fees (§203). Continues the requirement for annual performance and fiscal reports and adds publication and update requirements for performance reports (§204). Includes a savings clause noting that fees for applications accepted by FDA for filing before October 1, 2012, will remain as under prior law (§205). Authorizes these medical device user fees from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2017 (§§206 and 207). Allows for the streamlined hiring of FDA employees to positions related to the process for the review of device applications in order to achieve performance goals (§208).

Title III—Fees Relating to Generic Drugs

The Generic Drug User Fee Amendments (GDUFA) create new FFDCA Sections 744A, B, and C and are patterned after PDUFA, which was first enacted in 1992 and reauthorized in five-year increments. GDUFA became effective October 1, 2012, and will sunset on October 1, 2017.

Integral to the operation of the generic drug user fee program are the performance goals stated in the FDA-industry agreement that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) submitted to Congress along with proposed legislative language.

In general, Title III, the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2012:

Defines "human generic drug activities" on which FDA could use revenue from GDUFA fees to include the review of generic drug submissions and related drug master files; the issuance of approval, complete response, and other letters regarding applications, supplements, and drug master files; inspections; monitoring of research; postmarket safety activities; and regulatory science activities (§302). Establishes three ongoing types of fees to be paid by the manufacturer: drug master file fees at the time of file submission ; application filing fees (for an abbreviated new drug application [ANDA] and for a prior approval supplement [PAS] to an ANDA) at the time of submission; and annual facility fees (for a generic drug facility and an active pharmaceutical ingredient facility) for each establishment (§302). Establishes a one-time backlog fee to be paid by sponsors of currently pending applications (§302). Sets the estimated generic drug fee total for FY2013 at $299 million, specifies the proportion that each type of fee will contribute to the total, and provides a methodology for the calculation of an annual inflation adjustment (§302). To ensure that user fees supplement rather than replace congressional appropriations, sets a "trigger" by requiring that fees be refunded if appropriations for FDA salaries and expenses for a fiscal year are not at least the amount appropriated for FY2009 excluding fees for that year (§302). Requires annual performance and fiscal reports (§§303 and 308). Specifies the procedure for developing recommendations for performance goals in preparation for anticipated GDUFA reauthorization in 2017 (§303). Authorizes these generic drug user fees from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2017 (§§304 and 305). Adds that a drug may be deemed misbranded (and its sale or purchase therefore prohibited) if fees and requirements of this title are not met (§306). Provides the Secretary with streamlined hiring authority, to expire in three years (§307).

Title IV—Fees Relating to Biosimilar Biological Products

A biosimilar is a biological product that is highly similar to a brand-name (innovator) biological product made by a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. A biological product, or biologic, is a preparation, such as a drug or a vaccine, that is made from living organisms. In contrast to the relatively simple structure and manufacture of chemical drugs, biosimilars, with their more complex nature and method of manufacture, will not be identical to the brand-name product, but instead may be shown to be highly similar.

Biological products are, in general, regulated—licensed for marketing—under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and chemical drugs are regulated—approved for marketing—under the FFDCA. The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 ( P.L. 98-417 ), often referred to as the Hatch-Waxman Act, provided a mechanism for the approval of generic chemical drugs under the FFDCA, but not for biosimilars under the PHSA.

The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA), enacted as Title VII of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148 ), established a new regulatory authority within the FDA by creating a licensure pathway for biosimilars under the PHSA analogous to that which allowed for the approval of generic chemical drugs via the Hatch-Waxman Act under the FFDCA. Under the new pathway, a biosimilar may be approved by demonstrating that it is highly similar to a biological product that is already allowed on the market by FDA. The BPCIA also authorized FDA to collect associated user fees.

Among other provisions, Title IV, the Biosimilar User Fee Act of 2012:

Establishes several ongoing types of fees to be paid by the manufacturer to begin in FY2013: initial and annual biosimilar biological product development program fees for each product about which FDA holds development meetings with the sponsor; biosimilar biological product application and supplement fees at the time of submission; an annual biosimilar biological product establishment fee for each manufacturing establishment; and an annual biosimilar biological product fee for each product covered by BSUFA (§402). Allows the fee amounts to be based, for each fiscal year, on specified proportions of the inflation-adjusted human drug application fee amount calculated (see §103) under PDUFA (§402). Allows for the waiver of the biosimilar biological product application fee for the first such application from a small business, defined as an entity with less than 500 employees that does not have a drug product that has been approved under a human drug application or a biosimilar biological application and introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce (§402). To ensure that user fees supplement rather than replace congressional appropriations, sets a "trigger" by requiring that fees will be available to defray the costs of the process of review of biosimilar applications only if the Secretary allocates for such purpose $20 million, excluding fees, adjusted for inflation (§402). Requires annual performance and fiscal reports (§§403 and 408). Requires an independent study of the workload volume and full costs associated with the review of biosimilar biological product applications (§403). Specifies the procedure for developing recommendations for performance goals in preparation for anticipated BSUFA reauthorization in 2017 (§403). Authorizes these biosimilar user fees from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2017 (§§404 and 405). Includes a savings clause noting that fees for applications accepted by FDA for filing before October 1, 2012, will remain as under prior law (§406).

Title V—Pediatric Drugs and Devices

Drug manufacturers may be reluctant to test drugs and medical devices in children because of economic, ethical, legal, and other obstacles. The Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA, P.L. 107-109 ) and the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA, P.L. 108-155 ) provided drug manufacturers financial and regulatory incentives to test their products for use in children. The Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007 (PMDSIA, P.L. 110-85 ) created reporting requirements for pediatric medical devices and incentives for manufacturers to create pediatric medical devices, and gave FDA the authority to require postmarket studies of approved pediatric devices to ensure their continued efficacy and safety.

BPCA and PREA, passed by Congress in 2002 and 2003 and subsequently reauthorized in 2007, represent Congress's attempt to address the need for pediatric testing of drugs and biologics. BPCA created an incentive (extended market exclusivity) for manufacturers to conduct studies on pediatric use, and PREA created a requirement for manufacturers to test the safety and effectiveness of their products in pediatric populations. Between September 27, 2007, and March 31, 2012, 369 studies were completed under BPCA, PREA, or both. BPCA and PREA were again reauthorized in FDASIA.

Extended marketing exclusivity may be an attractive incentive to a manufacturer with a product that is being sold under patent or other types of exclusivity protections. BPCA also included provisions to refer pediatric studies of off-patent products, which no longer have market exclusivity, to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and manufacturer-declined studies of on-patent products to the Foundation for the NIH.

BPCA and PREA studies result in information on new dosing, new indications of use, new safety information, and new data on effectiveness that inform labeling changes for pediatric dosing, warnings, and instructions on how to prepare formulations for pediatric populations. Although BPCA and PREA were developed separately, they are usually discussed in tandem because they both relate to pediatric research and PREA's continuity has been linked to the BPCA market exclusivity authority.

In general, Title V:

Permanently authorizes BPCA and PREA (§501). Clarifies the Secretary's authority to award exclusivity for studies conducted under PREA if they are completed and accepted pursuant to a written request under BPCA; and requires the Secretary to provide an explanation if a written request does not include the study of neonates (§502). Requires the Secretary to issue standard operating procedures for Pediatric Review Committee review of specified study plans and written requests under BPCA and PREA (§503). Requires that the Secretary make available for the public the medical, statistical, and clinical pharmacology reviews of (and agency requests for) studies submitted between January 4, 2002, and September 27, 2007, under BPCA that resulted in six months of market exclusivity and a labeling change (§504). Allows extensions of study deferrals under specified conditions; sets timeframes for deferral requests and Secretarial responses; requires the Secretary to track and make information on deferrals and deferral extensions available to the public; and allows the Secretary to enforce assessment deadlines and to consider a drug or biological product misbranded for failure to submit a required assessment, but not to withdraw drug approval or to revoke biologics licensure (§505). Provides timeline and specifies content for a sponsor's required initial study plan submission (no later than 60 days after the end of Phase 2), and subsequent steps by the sponsor and the Secretary (§506). Permanently authorizes the Pediatric Advisory Committee for specified activities; authorizes the Pediatric Subcommittee of the Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee for the duration of the committee; and authorizes appropriations of $25 million for each of FY2013 through FY2017 for the program for the study of off-patent drugs at NIH (§507). Extends until October 1, 2017, the waiver of the prohibition on the sale for profit of certain pediatric devices that are approved under the humanitarian device exemption from required effectiveness data (§507). Requires reports, with specified content and to include stakeholder input, to committees of jurisdiction and the public within four years and every five years thereafter (§508). Makes technical amendments (§509). Requires the Secretary to hold a meeting and report on a strategic plan on accelerated development of new therapies for pediatric rare diseases (§510). Adds expertise in a pediatric subpopulation, neonatology, and pediatric epidemiology to the areas required to be represented on the staff of the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics (§511).

Title VI—Medical Device Regulatory Improvements

Medical devices include a wide range of products that are used to diagnose, treat, monitor, or prevent a disease or condition in a patient. Medical devices are broadly integrated into health care and include simple devices, such as tongue depressors, as well as more complex devices, such as implantable hips. The extent of FDA authority to regulate whether a device may be marketed in the United States and how it is monitored afterward varies across types of devices.

In order to determine the applicability of premarket requirements (i.e., clearance or approval before marketing) for a given device, FDA classifies the device based on the risk to the patient: (1) low-risk devices are class I; (2) moderate-risk are class II; and (3) high-risk are class III. Low-risk medical devices (class I) and a very small number of moderate-risk medical devices (class II) are exempt from premarket review. In general, for moderate-risk and high-risk medical devices, there are two pathways that manufacturers can use to bring such devices to market with FDA's permission: (1) premarket approval (PMA) and (2) premarket notification submission (also known as a 510(k) submission, after the section in the FFDCA that authorized this type of notification).

The PMA process generally consists of conducting clinical studies and submitting a PMA application, which requires evidence providing reasonable assurance that the device is safe and effective. This is somewhat analogous to the new drug application process. A PMA is used for novel and high-risk devices, is often lengthy and expensive, and results in a type of FDA permission called approval. The other path involves submitting a 510(k) notification demonstrating that the device is substantially equivalent to a device already on the market (a predicate device) that does not require a PMA. The 510(k) process is unique to medical devices and results in FDA clearance. Substantial equivalence is determined by comparing the performance characteristics of a new device with those of a predicate device.

Once a device is on the market, FDA has authority to carry out certain activities to monitor its safety and effectiveness. The extent of the agency's postmarket authority is tied to characteristics of the device. Manufacturer requirements include areas such as labeling, postmarket surveillance, device tracking, and adverse event reporting.

Provisions in FDASIA make modifications to various aspects of premarket and postmarket device regulation. Premarket modifications include those intended to (1) affect the efficiency, transparency, and data requirements of the 510(k) and PMA processes; and (2) alter or make clarifications to certain types of exempt devices, for example, custom devices and humanitarian use devices. With respect to postmarket regulation, provisions focus on expanding active postmarket surveillance; altering requirements related to postmarket studies for devices; and strengthening both device recall and tracking capabilities through a recall program and the unique device identifier system. Miscellaneous reforms include those aimed at increasing transparency of FDA's approval and clearance decisions and processes for issuing industry guidance documents; improving health information technology for the agency; and harmonizing device regulation with FDA's international counterparts.

In general, Title VI:

Clarifies that the Secretary will not be allowed to disapprove an investigational device exemption (IDE) application because the Secretary determines that (1) the investigation may not support a substantial equivalence or de novo classification determination or approval of a device, (2) the investigation may not meet a requirement, including a data requirement, relating to the approval or clearance of a device, or (3) an additional or different investigation may be necessary to support clearance or approval of the device (§601). To clarify "the least burdensome standard" for PMA applications (without altering the criteria for evaluating a PMA application), defines the requirement for necessary clinical data as the minimum required to demonstrate, for purposes of approval, the effectiveness of a device for the conditions of use (§602). To clarify "the least burdensome standard" for 510(k) notifications (without altering the standard for determining substantial equivalence), defines the requirement for necessary information (to demonstrate that devices with differing technological characteristics are substantially equivalent) as the minimum required to support a determination of substantial equivalence between a new device and a predicate device (§602). Requires the Secretary to completely document the scientific and regulatory rationale for any significant decision regarding submission or review of a report under Section 510(k), a PMA application, or an IDE application, including documentation of significant controversies or differences of opinion, and to provide this documentation to the applicant upon request; a supervisory review of the significant decision may also be requested (§603). Requires the Secretary to withdraw the July 2011 draft FDA guidance entitled "Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff—510(k) Device Modifications: Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Change to an Existing Device," leaving the prior guidance issued in 1997 in effect (§604). Requires a report to House and Senate committees regarding when a 510(k) notification should be submitted for a modification or change to a legally marketed device; draft guidance or proposed regulation on 510(k) device modification will not be issued before these committees receive this report and final guidance or regulation will not be issued until one year after the committees receive such report (§604). Requires the Secretary to establish a program to improve the device recall system, to include the assessment of information on device recalls; clarification of procedures for conducting device recall audit checks; assessment of the effectiveness of corrections or action plans for recalls; and documentation of the basis for terminations of recalls (§605). Allows the Secretary, at any time, to issue a clinical hold prohibiting the sponsor of a medical device from conducting a clinical investigation using the medical device if the Secretary determines the device represents an unreasonable risk to the safety of the persons who are the subjects of the clinical investigation or for such other reasons the Secretary may establish by regulation (§606). Allows the Secretary, for certain new devices, in response to a request for an initial device (de novo) classification, to classify the new device without first issuing a determination that it is not substantially equivalent (NSE) to an existing device; this classification request may be declined if there exists a legally marketed device on which to base a substantial equivalence review, or if the new device is not a low-moderate risk device or general controls would be inadequate to control risks and special controls cannot be developed (§607). Allows the Secretary to change the classification of a device based on new information, and to revoke any regulation or requirement under FFDCA Sections 514 or 515, by administrative order instead of by regulation; requires publication of the proposed order with a substantive summary of the scientific evidence for the reclassification; specifies requirements for public comment, a meeting of a device classification panel, and a final order; specifies that Administrative Procedure Act requirements regarding regulations would not apply, although the order would be subject to judicial review; and limits authority to issue the administrative order so it cannot be delegated below the Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, acting in consultation with the FDA Commissioner (§608). Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to devices, to enter into arrangements with nations regarding harmonization of regulatory requirements for activities, including inspections and common international labeling symbols, and to participate in international fora, including the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (§§609 and 610). Reauthorizes, through October 1, 2017, the inspection of a factory, warehouse, or manufacturing or processing establishment by accredited third parties, and reauthorizes, through October 1, 2017, the review of 510(k) submissions by accredited third parties and establishes criteria for periodic reaccreditation (§§611 and 612). Allows a device granted a humanitarian device exemption (HDE) to qualify for an exemption to the general ban on selling such devices for a profit if the HDE device is intended for the treatment or diagnosis of (1) a disease or condition that does not occur in pediatric patients, or, (2) that occurs in pediatric patients in such numbers that device development is impossible, highly impracticable, or unsafe (§613). Allows a sponsor of a device granted an HDE prior to the bill's enactment to seek a determination as to whether it would qualify for an exemption to the profit ban (§613). Requires the Secretary to issue proposed regulations for a unique device identification system not later than December 31, 2012; to finalize proposed regulations no later than six months after the close of the comment period; and to implement final regulations with respect to certain devices no later than two years after finalization of the regulations (§614). Requires the Secretary to modify Sentinel (the Postmarket Risk Identification and Analysis System) to include medical devices, and requires the Secretary, when expanding this system, to engage stakeholders and to use relevant data on cleared and approved devices (§615). Specifies that the Secretary's authority to order the conduct of postmarket surveillance is at the time of approval or clearance of a device or at any time thereafter; and requires the manufacturer to commence any required postmarket surveillance not later than 15 months after being so ordered (§616). Broadens the definition of custom devices, which are exempt from the requirements of FFDCA Sections 514 and 515; outlines limitations to the exemption; and requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations on the replication of custom devices (§617). Requires the Secretary to make public a report containing a proposed strategy and recommendations on a regulatory framework pertaining to health information technology, including mobile medical applications, and authorizes the Secretary to convene a working group of external stakeholders to provide input on the strategy and recommendations required in this report (§618). Treats three types of notices related to devices as guidance documents for the purposes of ensuring that procedural requirements on public participation would apply to such documents (unless the Secretary determines participation is not feasible or appropriate) before they could be implemented: (1) notice to industry guidance letters; (2) notice to industry advisory letters; and (3) notices setting forth either initial interpretations of a regulation or policy or changes in interpretation or policy (§619). Reauthorizes the Improving Pediatric Device Availability Demonstration Grants, allowing an appropriation of $5.25 million for each of FY2013 through FY2017, and requires a rule regarding the tracking of pediatric uses of devices be proposed by December 31, 2012, and the final rule be implemented by December 31, 2013 (§620).

Title VII—Drug Supply Chain

FDA's earliest authorities, in 1906, concerned product integrity. Subsequent changes in the law related to integrity and safety reflected the mid-century pharmaceutical industry with mostly domestic factories. As drug production has shifted to a global supply chain of manufacturers, processers, packagers, importers, and distributors, FDA leadership, among others, has suggested that the agency's statutory authority does not match its responsibilities. FDASIA responds, in part, with provisions to allow FDA to refuse entry of an imported drug if the manufacturing facility inspection was denied or limited; enhance penalties for suppliers of counterfeit or substandard products; and require a unique manufacturing facility identifier. Despite discussions right up to FDASIA enactment, Congress did not reach agreement on language regarding other items, such as chain-of-custody documentation and track-and-trace technologies. Following FDASIA passage, Members have continued such discussions, attempting to find an effective and feasible mix that covers domestic and foreign facilities.

In general, Title VII, Drug Supply Chain:

Expands the registration information required from the owners or operators of domestic and foreign drug establishments to include a unique facility identifier and information about importers (§§701 and 702). Expands registration information required to include establishments that manufacture excipients (such as fillers, preservatives, and flavors) for listed products (§703). Requires the Secretary to maintain an electronic database of unique facility identifiers (§704). Requires the Secretary to carry out biennial inspections of establishments that manufacture class II or class III devices (§705). Requires the Secretary to carry out manufacturing establishment inspections according to a risk-based schedule for both prescription and nonprescription drugs; specifies risk factors and requires reports (§705). Requires manufacturers to submit required records in advance or in lieu of inspections within a reasonable timeframe; and requires the Secretary to sufficiently describe the records requested and to provide receipt confirmations (§706). Requires that a drug be deemed adulterated if the owner or operator of a facility used in its manufacture delays, denies, or limits an inspection, or refuses to permit entry or inspection (§707). Allows the Secretary to destroy an adulterated, misbranded, or counterfeit drug offered for import if it is valued at $2,500 or less; and includes language about notice, storage, cost liability, and regulations (§708). Expands the Secretary's authority to administratively detain a product found to be adulterated or misbranded during a facility inspection to include drugs (prior authority was for device and tobacco products) (§709). Allows the Secretary to, in specified conditions, keep confidential the information relating to drug inspections that a foreign government provided voluntarily (§710). Notes that, with respect to the criteria for deeming a drug to be adulterated, "current good manufacturing practices" include quality controls in manufacturing, and assurance of the safety of raw materials (§711). Allows the Secretary to enter into agreements with foreign governments to recognize inspections of foreign establishments in specified situations (§712). Allows the Secretary to require, as a condition of granting a drug admission to the United States, an importer to provide specified information demonstrating that the drug complies with requirements of this act (§713). Requires a commercial importer to register with the Secretary and submit, among other things, a unique facility identifier; requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to establish good importer practices; and prohibits the importation of drugs by unregistered commercial importers (§714). Allows the Secretary to require that a registered manufacturer, a wholesaler, or a distributor (other than for retail sale) notify the Secretary when that person knows (1) that the use of a drug may result in serious illness or death; (2) of a significant theft of such drug; or (3) of the counterfeiting of such drug that is in U.S. commerce or could be imported (§715). Requires imprisonment for up to 20 years or a fine up to $1 million for a person who knowingly and intentionally adulterates a drug so that the drug has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals (§716). Adds trafficking in a counterfeit drug to the list of violations subject to fines and imprisonment under the U.S. criminal and penal code, and directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines to increase penalties to reflect the serious nature of these offenses (§717). Asserts U.S. authority to enforce the FFDCA for a violation that occurs outside the United States if the product was intended for U.S. import or if an act committed in the United States furthers the violation (§718).

Title VIII—Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now

The treatment of infectious diseases often depends on the availability of anti-infective drugs. Approved drugs can become ineffective if infectious organisms develop resistance to them. However, development of new anti-infective drugs is not always attractive to sponsors; the drugs are often used short-term and/or in small numbers of patients, compared with so-called "blockbuster" drugs. In addition, some drug companies cited unique regulatory challenges in the approval of anti-infective drugs.

FDASIA provides incentives for the development of certain new anti-infective drugs by providing an extended period of exclusivity (i.e., a period in which the new drug may be marketed without generic competition). This and other provisions, summarized below, are modified from the freestanding Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act of 2011 (GAIN Act), S. 1734 / H.R. 2182 .

In general, Title VIII:

Defines a qualified infectious disease product (QIDP) as an antibacterial or antifungal drug for human use intended to treat serious or life-threatening infections (§801). Requires the Secretary to determine whether a product is a QIDP within 60 days of a sponsor's request (§801). Provides, for a QIDP, five years of market exclusivity, in addition to other periods of exclusivity for which such drug qualifies (§801). Requires the Secretary to finalize implementing regulations within two years of enactment (§801). Makes QIDPs eligible for priority review and designation as fast track products (§§802 and 803). Requires the Secretary to update guidance documents regarding the conduct of clinical trials for antibacterial and antifungal drugs; and to provide written recommendations for such trials upon a sponsor's request (§804). Requires the Secretary, within five years of enactment, to report to Congress on specified aspects of the implementation of this title (§805). Requires the Secretary, by June 30, 2013, to publish draft guidance on the development of drugs to treat serious or life-threatening bacterial infections; and to finalize such guidance by December 31, 2014 (§806).

Title IX—Drug Approval and Patient Access

Before a drug may be sold in the United States, FDA must approve an application from its manufacturer. The progression to drug approval begins before FDA involvement as, first, basic scientists work in the laboratory and with animals, and, second, a drug or biotechnology company develops a prototype drug. That company must seek and receive FDA approval, by way of an investigational new drug (IND) application, to test the product with human subjects. Those tests, called clinical trials, are carried out sequentially in Phase I, II, and III studies, which involve increasing numbers of subjects. The manufacturer then compiles the resulting data and analysis in a new drug application (NDA). FDA reviews the NDA with three major concerns: (1) safety and effectiveness in the drug's proposed use; (2) appropriateness of the proposed labeling; and (3) adequacy of manufacturing methods to assure the drug's identity, strength, and quality. The FFDCA and associated regulations detail requirements of each step; not all reviews and applications follow the standard procedures.

In certain circumstances, FDA regularly uses three formal mechanisms to expedite the development and review process. For a drug for a serious or life-threatening condition, accelerated approval and animal efficacy approval processes—provided for in regulations—change what is needed in an application when a drug or biological product may provide a meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments. For a drug intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition that demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need, a fast track product designation —provided for in law—allows approval of an application based on the product's "effect on a clinical endpoint or on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit." Priority review —based in FDA procedures—affects the timing of the review, not the process leading to submission of an application, when FDA determines a drug would address an unmet need.

Provisions in FDASIA amend the FFDCA to "help expedite the development and availability to patients of treatments for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions while maintaining safety and effectiveness standards." They do so by combining elements of the regulatory accelerated approval process and the statutory fast track product designation, and creating a new designation— breakthrough therapy —for a drug whose preliminary clinical data suggest a possible substantial improvement over existing therapies.

In general, Title IX:

Requires the Secretary, at the request of a sponsor, to facilitate the development and expedite the review of a drug designated a fast track product , if the drug "is intended, whether alone or in combination with one or more other drugs, for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and it demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs for such a condition" (§901). Designates an accelerated approval process by which the Secretary may approve a marketing application of a product for a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, including (but not limited to) a fast track product, based upon a clinical or surrogate endpoint that, among other specified criteria, "is reasonably likely to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit" (§901). Authorizes the Secretary to require postmarket activities, expedite withdrawal of approval, facilitate review, and contract for an independent evaluation of the various expedited approval processes; requires the Secretary to issue guidance and amend regulations; does not alter the standards of evidence of safety and effectiveness required for drug approval; and does not alter the Secretary's ability to use evidence from other than adequate and well-controlled investigations in order to determine whether an endpoint is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit (§901). Requires the Secretary, upon request of a sponsor, to expedite the development and review of a drug designated a breakthrough therapy , "if the drug is intended, alone or in combination with 1 or more other drugs, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on 1 or more clinically significant endpoints"; requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on the number of requested and approved breakthrough therapy designations and related actions; and establishes timeframes for related guidance (§902). Requires the Secretary to develop and disseminate to appropriate persons and organizations a description of the law applicable to accelerated approval, fast track, and breakthrough products; and establish a program to encourage the development of "surrogate and clinical endpoints, including biomarkers, and other scientific methods and tools that can assist the Secretary in determining whether the evidence submitted in an application is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit" for serious or life-threatening conditions with significant unmet medical needs (§§901 and 902). With regard to new drugs and biological products for rare diseases, and drugs and biological products that are genetically targeted, requires the Secretary to (1) ensure that opportunities exist for consultations with stakeholders and (2) develop and maintain a list of external experts with whom to consult when the Secretary lacks the requisite expertise; specifies topics for such consultations (§903). Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to convene a stakeholder working group to develop best practices on access to information on prescription drug labels for individuals who are blind or visually impaired; requires a GAO study of the extent to which pharmacies use those best practices and the extent to which barriers to accessible information continue (§904). Requires the Secretary to "implement a structured risk-benefit assessment framework in the new drug approval process," without altering premarket approval evaluation criteria (§905). Reauthorizes the appropriation of $30 million for each of FY2013 through FY2017 for grants and contracts to defray the costs of qualified testing used for orphan drug development; and eliminates a requirement in the Orphan Drug Act that, in order to qualify, such costs must be incurred after designation as a drug for a rare disease or condition (§906). Requires the Secretary to publish on the FDA website and provide to Congress a report, with specified content, addressing the extent to which demographic subgroups (to include sex, age, race, and ethnicity) participate in clinical trials and are included in safety and effectiveness data submitted in marketing applications; and to publish an action plan with recommendations to improve the completeness, quality, and inclusion of subgroup data in various analyses (§907). Creates a new program, funded by user fees, to provide a transferable voucher, under specified conditions, to a sponsor of an approved new drug or biological product for a rare pediatric disease to be used for the priority review of another application; terminates the authority to award such vouchers one year after the Secretary awards the third rare pediatric disease priority voucher; and requires the GAO to report on the effectiveness of the program (§908).

Title X—Drug Shortages

Since 2005, FDA, clinicians, pharmacists, and patients have noted more frequent drug shortages (i.e., when the local or nationwide supply of a particular dosage is inadequate to meet demand). Recent shortages have clustered around generic sterile injectable drugs used during surgery or hospital care, although shortages have affected brand-name products and oral tablets for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Immediate causes of shortages include (1) manufacturing quality problems (such as contaminants); (2) interruption in supply of ingredients; (3) unanticipated increase in demand (e.g., the unavailability of another product for the same condition, recent attention to an off-label use, or approval of an additional indication or user population); (4) business decisions by individual firms (e.g., to cut back on the number of facilities dedicated to a particular drug, or to shut down during renovation); and (5) unanticipated weather, accident, or other event. Less clear is why the rate of shortages is increasing now. Market concentration and a global supply chain, along with manufacturing capacity constraints, the complex process of drug production, inventory practices, and pricing, act as underlying causes, many believe, of drug shortages.

FDA has acted within its current authority by asking both sole source manufacturers and other firms to increase production; exercising flexibility through regulatory discretion (e.g., allowing the importation of certain drugs); expediting review; and communicating with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) about increasing quotas of controlled substances that are in short supply. An October 2011 executive order directed FDA to use all tools to require that manufacturers give advance notice of manufacturing interruptions, to expedite applications, and to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to address instances of price gouging, for example, when pharmacies turn to supplies outside their routine distribution channels. FDA and GAO analyses suggested immediate steps to increase notification, increase staffing, develop legislation to require notification, and communicate with the public and within FDA. They suggested longer-term steps such as using databases to identify factors that help prevent or mitigate shortages, identifying manufacturing quality issues and having backup plans, using sentinel reports from providers to identify imminent shortages, and encouraging wholesaler transparency. Provisions in FDASIA reflect some of the items in the executive order and in the GAO and FDA recommendations.

In general, Title X:

Expands the requirement that a manufacturer of certain drugs notify the Secretary of a permanent discontinuance of its production to include a broader range of drugs and an interruption in production; describes secretarial actions when a manufacturer fails to meet the requirements; authorizes the Secretary to expedite an inspection or the review of a supplemental application to help mitigate or prevent a shortage; addresses Attorney General actions regarding increasing the production quota of a controlled substance to address a shortage; and addresses procedures and regulations (§1001). Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress to include the number of actual and prevented shortages and manufacturer notifications, FDA communication procedures, specified details of FDA shortage prevention and mitigation actions, and efforts to coordinate with DEA (§1002). Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop and implement a strategic plan regarding the Secretary's response to preventing and mitigating shortages; describes required elements of the strategic plan, including considering whether to establish a qualified manufacturing partner program; and specifies other communication and action requirements (§1003). Requires that the Secretary maintain an up-to-date list, with specified information, of drugs that the Secretary determines to be in shortage in the United States and make the information publicly available except when the Secretary determines that the disclosure would adversely affect the public's health or the information is protected as a trade secret or confidential information elsewhere in the U.S. Code (§1004). Requires the Attorney General, upon a request from a manufacturer of a schedule II controlled substance listed as in shortage, to increase the production quota or provide the reason for denial and requires the Secretary to make the manufacturer's written request available to the public (§1005). Requires the Attorney General to submit to Congress an annual drug shortages report with specified content relating to controlled substances (§1006). Excludes from the establishment registration requirement a hospital that repackages a drug on the FDA drug shortage list for transfer to another hospital in the same health system (§1007). Requires GAO to "examine the cause of drug shortages and formulate recommendations on how to prevent or alleviate such shortages," specifying questions to consider, and to submit to Congress a report on the study results (§1008).

Title XI—Other Provisions

Subtitle A—Reauthorizations

In general, Subtitle A—Reauthorizations:

Extends, until October 1, 2017, the period during which a manufacturer may elect to consider a non-racemic drug as a separate drug from an approved racemic (having both the left- and right-handed molecular forms of an active ingredient) drug with the same active ingredient and changes the restriction on using any investigations of the racemic drug in support of the non-racemic drug's application to restrict only the use of clinical investigations (§1101). Reauthorizes the Critical Path Public-Private Partnerships, through which FDA can enter into collaborative agreements with eligible educational or tax-exempt organizations to foster medical product innovation, development, and safety; and authorizes the appropriation of $6 million for each of FY2013 through FY2017 (§1102).

Subtitle B—Medical Gas Product Regulation

Subtitle B addresses the regulation of medical gases, such as oxygen. Although they are considered to be prescription drugs under the FFDCA, FDA has exercised regulatory discretion in not requiring new drug applications or imposing user fees on medical gas manufacturers. However, these companies sought an approval pathway in law to avoid certain trade and other problems associated with their products being considered "unapproved." FDASIA allows the Secretary to approve medical gases that meet requirements through a certification process that would not confer market exclusivity or require the payment of user fees.

In general, Subtitle B—Medical Gas Product Regulation:

Establishes a process requiring the Secretary, within 180 days of enactment, to certify certain medical gas products that meet specified requirements; considers a certified product to have an approved drug application for specified indications, but without eligibility for market exclusivity or the requirement to pay prescription drug user fees; and authorizes the Secretary to waive requirements for a prescription (§1111). Requires the Secretary to review and report on current medical gas regulations within 18 months of enactment; amend them as needed; and finalize them within 48 months of enactment (§1112). Clarifies that this subtitle would not apply to medical gases that were approved prior to enactment, or that are approved after enactment, pursuant to typical drug approval authority (§1113).

Subtitle C—Miscellaneous Provisions

In general, Subtitle C—Miscellaneous Provisions:

Requires the Secretary, within two years of enactment, to issue a guidance document that describes FDA policy regarding the promotion of FDA-regulated medical products using the Internet, including social media (§1121). Requires the Secretary to "review current federal initiatives and identify gaps and opportunities with respect to … ensuring the safe use of prescription drugs with the potential for abuse [and] the treatment of prescription drug dependence"; post on the HHS website a report on the findings of the review; and promulgate guidance on the development of abuse-deterrent drug products (§1122). Requires the Secretary to work with other regulatory authorities, medical research companies, and international organizations to harmonize global clinical trial standards for medical products, in order to (1) enhance medical product development; (2) facilitate the use of foreign data; and (3) reduce duplicative studies; and includes savings clause that this provision would not alter the current standards for premarket review of medical products (§1123). Requires the Secretary, in deciding whether to approve, license, or clear a drug or device, to accept data from clinical trials outside the United States, as long as such data meet applicable standards; and requires the Secretary to provide a sponsor with a written explanation in the event that such data were found to be inadequate (§1123). Requires the Secretary, within one year of enactment, to establish a strategy and implementation plan, consistent with user fee program performance goals, for advancing regulatory science for medical products, and to identify in such plan a vision and priorities related to medical product decision-making, and ways to address regulatory and scientific gaps, among other stated requirements; and requires the Secretary to include a report on progress on those goals as part of the FY2014 and FY2016 performance reports required for the prescription drug, medical device, generic drug, and biosimilar biological product user fee programs (§1124). Requires the Secretary to report, not later than one year after enactment, to Congress on the development and implementation of a plan to modernize FDA's information technology systems and align them with the strategic goals of the agency, consistent with existing GAO recommendations; additionally, requires GAO to report, by January 1, 2016, on the FDA's progress to meet the goals set out in such plan (§1125). Requires the Secretary to intensify and expand activities to enhance scientific knowledge regarding nanomaterials included or intended for inclusion in FDA-regulated products to address potential toxicology, potential benefit of new therapies, and the effects on and interactions with biological systems (§1126). Requires GAO, within one year of enactment, to report, as specified, on problems posed by online pharmacy websites that violate state or federal law (§1127). Requires a report from the FDA Commissioner to Congress within one year of enactment with details regarding FDA interactions with small businesses, including outreach, grants, and barriers encountered (§1128). Prohibits any restriction on lawful communication by a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Officer with a Member of Congress or the HHS Inspector General, providing a so-called "whistleblower" protection comparable to such protections among the armed services (§1129). Sets dates for product compliance with final rule for labeling and effectiveness of sunscreen products for over-the-counter human use (§1130). Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress within one year of enactment an integrated management plan to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, including workforce performance measures (§1131). Amends the requirements and procedures, including timing of review by the Secretary, concerning assessments of approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) and their modification; and requires the Secretary to issue guidance on types of modifications (§1132). Temporarily extends the period during which a manufacturer can obtain tentative approval of a generic drug application before forfeiting the marketing exclusivity for being the first generic version (§1133). Adds a 270-day deadline by which, in response to a petition, the Secretary must issue a final substantive determination on whether a drug withdrawal was due to its safety and effectiveness (§1134). Shortens from 180 days to 150 days the deadline by which the Secretary must take final agency action on a petition regarding a new drug application that refers to data submitted to FDA from another approved product or an abbreviated new drug application; and adds a biosimilar biologics license application to that requirement (§1135). Requires, beginning not before two years after final guidance is issued, applications for drugs and biologics to be submitted in electronic format; and requires, beginning after final guidance is issued, pre-submissions, submissions, and supplemental information for medical devices to include an electronic copy of such materials (§1136). Requires the Secretary to develop and implement strategies to solicit patients' views during regulatory discussions, including permitting the participation of a patient representative in agency meetings with medical product sponsors (§1137). Requires, within one year of enactment, the Commissioner to review, modify, and make publicly available the FDA communication plan to inform health care providers and patients of the benefits and risks of medical products, with special focus on underrepresented subpopulations, including racial subgroups (§1138). Requires the Secretary to hold a public meeting and solicit stakeholder input regarding scheduling of products containing hydrocodone under the Controlled Substances Act (§1139). Requires a report by GAO within one year of enactment on the benefits and efficiencies of electronic patient labeling of prescription drugs as a substitute or partial substitute for paper labeling (§1140). Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, to "facilitate … the development of recommendations on interoperability standards" for the interstate exchange of prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) information by states receiving specified federal grants; requires the Secretary, "in facilitating the development of recommendations," to consider specified topics; and requires the Secretary to submit a report on enhancing PDMP interoperability, to include specified contents (§1141). Regarding advisory committee member conflicts of interest, strikes the provision limiting the number of exceptions (such as waivers under the provisions of the criminal financial conflict-of-interest statute [18 U.S.C. 208]) the Secretary could grant (as authorized for FY2008 through FY2012) and maintains the content and timing requirements for public disclosure of committee member financial interests that the Secretary (according to 18 U.S.C. 208), adding as a reason for an exception that there is a public health interest in having the expertise available to the committee (§1142). Requires the Secretary to develop and implement outreach strategies for potential members of advisory committees to ensure the most current expert advice; modifies the required content of the required annual report from the Secretary on advisory committee conflicts of interest; requires the Secretary to review and update, as necessary, guidance with respect to advisory committees regarding disclosure of conflicts of interest; and requires the Secretary to issue guidance that describes the FDA process for reviewing financial conflicts of interest reported by advisory committee members that do not meet the definition of disqualifying interest (§1142). Prohibits, for five years, the FDA from issuing draft or final guidance on the regulation of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) prior to notifying the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of both their intent to do so, and the details of such intended action (§1143).

Subtitle D—Synthetic Drugs

In general, Subtitle D—Synthetic Drugs, the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012:

Adds specified synthetic drugs, including those that mimic the effects of cannabis marijuana, to schedule I (the most restrictive schedule, for drugs with high risk of abuse for which there are no recognized medical uses) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); also, with regard to temporary scheduling, extends the initial period of temporary scheduling from one year to two years and the extension of temporary scheduling from 6 months to one year (§§1151-1153).

Appendix A. Time-Specific Requirements of Federal Entities in FDASIA

Throughout FDASIA, Congress has directed certain actions to be done by specified entities within specified time periods. It directs most of the federal actions to the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, the Secretary); several actions are required of other federal entities. FDASIA also requires many actions of the regulated industry.

This appendix lists the time-specific requirements (meaning actions required to be completed within a specific time period) of federal entities in FDASIA (see methodology section below). These tables present the requirements as contained in FDASIA; CRS will not update this report to track agency progress toward meeting or completing these requirements. The HHS Secretary is responsible for more than 90% of the requirements, and FDA is maintaining a website to reflect the agency's tracking of those activities.

Methodology

This section explains how requirements were selected for inclusion in the appendix and how dates are presented in the tables.

Selection criteria. This appendix includes provisions that require action by the responsible entity (the actor) (1) by a specific date (e.g., not later than January 15, 2014); (2) within a specified number of days or months of a specified event (e.g., not later than 60 days before the start of the fiscal year); or (3) with a timed aspect not pegged to a date or event (e.g., at least every five years). Requirements are not included if (1) the timing is conditionally defined (e.g., if a sponsor submits a request, the Secretary must respond not later than 60 days from the submission), or (2) no explicit time is noted (e.g., the Secretary must maintain an up-to-date list of drugs in shortage). For linked requirements (e.g., draft guidance and final guidance), the entire set of requirements is included if at least one requirement meets the selection criteria.

Presentation of dates . The legislative language in FDASIA differs across titles and sections in how it refers to the timing of required actions. To achieve consistent presentation of timing, this appendix presents (with very few exceptions) time-specific requirements in date form. When FDASIA provides an actual date, the appendix uses that date. When FDASIA refers to an event, the date is calculated; for example, when the legislative language reads "not less than 60 days before the start of the fiscal year," the appendix presents this as August 2, the calculated number of days from October 1. When a time-specific requirement is not pegged to a date or event (e.g., at least every five years), it is noted as such. When a requirement recurs annually, the table shows only the month and day that action must occur each year.

For efficiency of presentation and overall view of timed requirements, when a time-specific requirement is defined by a range, the table lists the last day of the range. For example, tables in this appendix would list the timing reference as "July 9, 2013," in each of the following three situations:

Comparison to FDA Implementation Tracking Chart

On November 27, 2012, FDA created a website that lists the "requirements with specific statutory dates set by Congress"; the agency intends to update the chart to "communicate its progress." Comparing the information that FDA posted with the material in this appendix reveals some differences in scope and level of detail. The main differences are as follows:

The FDA chart includes only deliverables for which FDA is responsible. This appendix includes actions required of all federal entities. The FDA chart includes actions specified in the letters from the Secretary to Congress that present the performance goals negotiated with industry for the user fee programs. This appendix includes only requirements specified in FDASIA. The FDA chart includes a column that FDA will use to publicly track its progress as it completes each requirement. This appendix does not duplicate that effort.

Legal Effect of Deadlines

As a matter of administrative law, the enforceability of statutory deadlines is determined primarily via private civil litigation against the agency for failure to comply with the deadline. Although a court may compel an agency to take action when the agency has "unreasonably delayed," courts generally provide agencies deference in order to avoid dictating how an agency should allocate its limited resources. In Telecommunications Research & Action Center v. FCC (TRAC), the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C. Circuit) established a set of factors to consider when determining whether an agency has delayed unreasonably in taking a required action. In TRAC, the D.C. Circuit noted that courts should be guided by a "rule of reason" when determining whether the agency has unreasonably delayed, but also stated that "where Congress has provided a timetable or other indication of the speed with which it expects the agency to proceed in the enabling statute, that statutory scheme may supply content for this rule of reason."

The D.C. Circuit's language in TRAC provides that a court should consider congressionally imposed deadlines, but also indicates that a court should not necessarily find that an agency delayed unreasonably based solely on the fact that the agency missed a statutory deadline. In one prominent example, the D.C. Circuit declined to compel a rulemaking by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) even though the agency had violated a statutory deadline for completing the regulation. The court agreed, however, to retain jurisdiction and required MSHA to report regularly on the status of its rulemaking process. In an administrative adjudication context, the D.C. Circuit similarly refused to compel the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete the review of a generic drug application even though the FDA missed a statutory deadline by a significant margin. Therefore, although the FDASIA imposes statutory deadlines on various executive agencies, the enforceability of these statutory deadlines in court would be determined through civil litigation on a case-by-case basis. In lieu of relying on civil litigation to enforce statutory deadlines, Congress may also use their political powers, such as congressional oversight hearings and/or other forms of legislative pressure, to compel agencies to comply with mandated deadlines.

Tables

Tables 1 through 11 correspond to Titles I through XI of FDASIA. Rows are ordered by FDASIA section, listed in the first column. Other columns provide the relevant section, if any, in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and its U.S. Code citation; the actor; the required action; and the timing reference. A list of abbreviations and acronyms appears as Appendix B .

Appendix B. Abbreviations and Acronyms