[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15902-15903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8555]



[[Page 15902]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 93N-0457]


Robert Elbert; Denial of Hearing; Final Debarment Order

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denies Robert Elbert's 
request for a hearing and issues a final order permanently debarring 
Robert Elbert, 15000 SW. David Lane, apt. G-61, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, 
from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an 
approved or pending drug product application. FDA bases this order on 
its finding that Mr. Elbert was convicted of a felony under Federal law 
for conduct relating to the regulation of a drug product under the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act).

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Application for termination of debarment to the Dockets 
Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 
Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 12, 1991, the United States District Court for the 
District of Oregon entered judgment against Mr. Robert Elbert, doing 
business as Thrifty Drug Store, under a plea of guilty, for one count 
of knowingly selling, purchasing, and trading drug samples, a Federal 
felony offense under sections 301(t) of the act (21 U.S.C. 331(t)), 
303(b)(1) of the act (21 U.S.C. 333(b)(1)), and 503(c)(1) of the act 
(21 U.S.C. 353(c)(1)).
    In a certified letter received by Mr. Elbert on September 14, 1994, 
the then-Acting Deputy Commissioner for Operations offered Mr. Elbert 
an opportunity for a hearing on the agency's proposal to issue an order 
under section 306(a) of the act (21 U.S.C. 335a(a)) debarring him from 
providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or 
pending drug product application. FDA based the proposal to debar Mr. 
Elbert on its finding that he had been convicted of a felony under 
Federal law for conduct relating to the regulation of a drug product.
    The certified letter informed Mr. Elbert that his request for a 
hearing could not rest upon mere allegations or denials, but must 
present specific facts showing that there was a genuine and substantial 
issue of fact requiring a hearing. The letter also notified Mr. Elbert 
that, if it conclusively appeared from the face of the information and 
factual analyses in his request for a hearing that there was no genuine 
and substantial issue of fact which precluded the order of debarment, 
FDA would enter summary judgment against him and deny his request for a 
hearing.
    In a letter dated October 11, 1994, Mr. Elbert requested a hearing, 
and in a letter dated November 9, 1994, Mr. Elbert submitted arguments 
and information in support of his hearing request. In his request for a 
hearing, Mr. Elbert does not dispute that he was convicted of a felony 
under Federal law as alleged by FDA. He argues, however, that the 
agency's proposal to debar him is unconstitutional because a 
retroactive application of the debarment provisions would violate the 
U.S. Constitution's ex post facto, due process, and equal protection 
clauses.
    The Deputy Commissioner for Operations has considered Mr. Elbert's 
arguments and concludes that they are unpersuasive and fail to raise a 
genuine and substantial issue of fact requiring a hearing. The legal 
arguments that Mr. Elbert offers do not create a basis for a hearing 
(see 21 CFR 12.24(b)(1)). Mr. Elbert's arguments are discussed below.

II. Mr. Elbert's Arguments in Support of a Hearing

A. Ex Post Facto Argument

    Mr. Elbert first argues that the ex post facto clause of the U.S. 
Constitution prohibits application of section 306(a)(2) of the act to 
him because this section was not in effect at the time of Mr. Elbert's 
criminal conduct. The Generic Drug Enforcement Act (GDEA) of 1992, 
including section 306(a)(2), was enacted on May 13, 1992, and Mr. 
Elbert was convicted on December 13, 1991.
    An ex post facto law is one that reaches back to punish acts that 
occurred before enactment of the law or that adds a new punishment to 
one that was in effect when the crime was committed (Ex Parte Garland, 
4 Wall. 333, 377, 18 L. Ed. 366 (1866); Collins v. Youngblood, 497 U.S. 
37 (1990)).
    Mr. Elbert's claim that application of the mandatory debarment 
provisions of the act is prohibited by the ex post facto clause is 
unpersuasive, because the intent of debarment is remedial, not 
punitive. Congress created the GDEA in response to findings of fraud 
and corruption in the generic drug industry. Both the language of the 
GDEA and its legislative history reveal that the purpose of the 
debarment provisions set forth in the GDEA is ``to restore and ensure 
the integrity of the abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) approval 
process and to protect the public health.'' (See section 1, Pub. L. 
102-282, GDEA of 1992.)
    In a suit challenging a debarment order issued by FDA (58 FR 69368, 
December 30, 1993), the constitutionality of the debarment provision 
was upheld against a similar challenge under the ex post facto clause. 
The reviewing court affirmed the remedial character of debarment:
    Without question, the GDEA serves compelling governmental 
interests unrelated to punishment. The punitive effects of the GDEA 
are merely incidental to its overriding purpose to safeguard the 
integrity of the generic drug industry while protecting public 
health.
Bae v. Shalala, 44 F.3d 489, 493 (7th Cir. 1995); see also, DiCola v. 
Food and Drug Administration, 77 F.3d 504 (D.C. Cir. 1996)
Because the intent of the GDEA is remedial rather than punitive, Mr. 
Elbert's argument that the GDEA violates the ex post facto clause must 
fail. (See Bae v. Shalala, 44 F.3d at 496-497.)

B. Due Process and Equal Protection Arguments

    Mr. Elbert further argues that an ``ex post facto application of 
later enacted statutory provisions to prior conduct and convictions of 
an individual is violative of the express provisions of Amendment V, 
forbidding that any person be deprived of `life, liberty, or property 
without due process of law.''' In his discussion, Mr. Elbert refers to 
``the loss of his right and ability to be able to provide services to a 
person who has an approved or pending drug product application,'' which 
suggests that he may also be making a ``takings'' argument under the 
Fifth Amendment.
    Mr. Elbert's argument that his due process rights under the Fifth 
Amendment would be violated by debarment based upon a conviction 
entered prior to enactment of the GDEA is not persuasive. In Usery v. 
Turner Elkhorn Mining Co., 96 S. Ct. 2882, 2893 (1976), the Court held 
that the retroactive application of a remedial statute designed to 
compensate disabled coal miners did not violate the due process clause 
of the Fifth Amendment. Legislation adjusting rights and burdens is not 
unlawful even if the effect of the

[[Page 15903]]

legislation is to impose a new duty or burden based upon past acts (id. 
(citations omitted)). The Court noted, however, that it would 
``hesitate to approve the retrospective imposition of liability on any 
theory of deterrence * * * or blameworthiness'' (id. (citations 
omitted)). Neither exception applies to debarment.
    As discussed above, debarment is remedial, in that it prohibits 
certain individuals from providing services to a person that has an 
approved or pending drug product application, in order to meet the 
legitimate regulatory purpose of restoring the integrity of the drug 
approval and regulatory process and protecting the public health. In 
addition, the remedial nature of the GDEA is not diminished simply 
because the GDEA deters debarred individuals and others from future 
misconduct (U. S. v. Halper, 109 S. Ct. 1892, 1901, n.7 (1989); Bae v. 
Shalala, 44 F.3d 489, 493 (7th Cir. 1995)). Thus, debarment for a 1991 
conviction does not violate Mr. Elbert's due process rights.
    With regard to his ``takings'' assertion, Mr. Elbert has not 
established that his debarment affects any property interest protected 
by the Fifth Amendment. The expectation of employment is not recognized 
as a protected property interest under the Fifth Amendment (Hoopa 
Valley Tribe v. Christie, 812 F.2d 1097, 1102 (9th Cir. 1986); Chang v. 
United States, 859 F.2d 893, 896-897 (Fed. Cir. 1988)). One who 
voluntarily enters a pervasively regulated industry, such as the 
pharmaceutical industry, and then violates its regulations, cannot 
successfully claim that he has a protected property interest when he is 
no longer entitled to the benefits of that industry (Erikson v. United 
States, 67 F.3d 858 (9th Cir. 1995)).
    Mr. Elbert further alleges that his debarment denies him ``equal 
protection of law,'' insofar as persons other than individuals are 
subject to debarment for acts occurring after enactment of the GDEA, 
and individuals are subject to debarment for acts and convictions that 
occurred prior to enactment of the statute as well. This argument also 
must fail. A statutory classification, such as that made in the GDEA 
between individuals and persons other than individuals, that neither 
burdens a fundamental right nor targets a suspect class, will be 
sustained if the classification bears a rational relationship to a 
legitimate legislative end (Romer v. Evans, 116 S. Ct. 1620, 1627 
(1996)). The classification will be upheld even if it works to the 
disadvantage of a particular group (id). Moreover, under the rational 
basis standard of review, Congress need not articulate the rationale 
supporting its classification (FCC v. Beach, 113 S. Ct. 2096, 2102 
(1993)). The distinction drawn between individuals and persons other 
than individuals may well have been supported by the fact that Congress 
had before it evidence from hearings that at least one company that had 
been found guilty or had admitted to fraud had obtained new management 
prior to passage of the GDEA (Generic Drug Enforcement: Hearing on H.R. 
2454 Before the Subcomm. on Health and the Environment of the House 
Comm. on Energy and Commerce, 102d Cong., 60-61 (1991) (statement of 
Dee Fensterer, President, Generic Pharmaceutical Industry 
Association)).
    Mr. Elbert does not dispute the fact that he was convicted as 
alleged by FDA. Under section 306(l)(1)(B) of the act, a conviction 
includes a guilty plea. The facts underlying Mr. Elbert's conviction 
are not at issue. Mr. Elbert's legal arguments do not create a basis 
for a hearing. Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioner for Operations 
denies Mr. Elbert's request for a hearing.

III. Findings and Order

    Therefore, the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, under section 
306(a) of the act and under authority delegated to him (21 CFR 5.20), 
finds that Robert Elbert has been convicted of a felony under Federal 
law for conduct relating to the regulation of a drug product.
    As a result of the foregoing finding, Robert Elbert is permanently 
debarred from providing services in any capacity to a person with an 
approved or pending drug product application under section 505, 507, 
512, or 802 of the act (21 U.S.C. 355, 357, 360b, or 382), or under 
section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262), effective 
April 3, 1997 (sections 306(c)(1)(B) and (c)(2)(A)(ii) and 201(dd) of 
the act (21 U.S.C. 321(dd))). Any person with an approved or pending 
drug product application who knowingly uses the services of Mr. Elbert, 
in any capacity, during his period of debarment, will be subject to a 
civil money penalty (section 307(a)(6) of the act (21 U.S.C. 
335b(a)(6))). If Mr. Elbert, during his period of debarment, provides 
services in any capacity to a person with an approved or pending drug 
product application, he will be subject to civil money penalties 
(section 307(a)(7) of the act). In addition, FDA will not accept or 
review any ANDA or abbreviated antibiotic drug application submitted by 
or with the assistance of Mr. Elbert during his period of debarment.
    Mr. Elbert may file an application to attempt to terminate his 
debarment under section 306(d)(4) of the act. Any such application 
would be reviewed under the criteria and processes set forth in section 
306(d)(4)(C) and (d)(4)(D) of the act. Such an application should be 
identified with Docket No. 93N-0457 and sent to the Dockets Management 
Branch (address above). All such submissions are to be filed in four 
copies. The public availability of information in these submissions is 
governed by 21 CFR 10.20(j). Publicly available submissions may be seen 
in the Dockets Management Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.

    Dated: March 17, 1997.
Michael A. Friedman,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-8555 Filed 4-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F