[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 40647-40650] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-20303] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Parts 310 and 341 [Docket No. 76N-052N] RIN 0910-AA01 Cold, Cough, Allergy, Bronchodilator, and Antiasthmatic Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Amendment of Monograph for OTC Nasal Decongestant Drug Products AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the final monograph for over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestant drug products (drug products used to relieve nasal congestion caused by acute or chronic rhinitis) to add the ingredient levmetamfetamine (formerly l- desoxyephedrine) and to classify this ingredient as generally recognized as safe and effective for OTC use. The agency is also removing l-desoxyephedrine from the list of nonmonograph active ingredients. This final rule is part of the ongoing review of OTC drug products conducted by FDA. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 30, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cazemiro R. Martin, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (HFD-560), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-2222. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In the Federal Register of August 23, 1994 (59 FR 43386), the agency published a final rule in the form of a final monograph establishing conditions under which OTC nasal decongestant drug products are generally recognized as safe and effective. The final monograph did not include l-desoxyephedrine as a nasal decongestant active ingredient because it was not currently standardized and characterized for quality and purity in an official compendium, i.e., the United States Pharmacopeia (USP)/National Formulary (59 FR 43386 at 43408). Instead, the final rule listed l-desoxyephedrine in Sec. 310.545(a)(6)(ii)(B) (21 CFR 310.545(a)(6)(ii)(B)) as not generally recognized as safe and effective. The agency stated in the final rule that OTC drug products containing l-desoxyephedrine as a topical nasal decongestant active ingredient were new drugs under section 201(p) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(p)). The effective date of the final rule was August 23, 1995. In the Federal Register of March 8, 1996 (61 FR 9570), the agency stayed the entry for ``l-desoxyephedrine (topical)'' in Sec. 310.545(a)(6)(ii)(B) until further notice. The agency explained that a citizen petition submitted in response to the OTC nasal decongestant final rule requested that the agency defer the effective date of Sec. 310.545(a)(6)(ii)(B) as it applies to l-desoxyephedrine (topical) until December 31, 1996. The petitioner stated that it had forwarded a draft compendial monograph for l-desoxyephedrine to the USP in late July 1995. The agency added that when l-desoxyephedrine becomes official in the [[Page 40648]] USP, the final monograph for OTC nasal decongestant drug products would be amended to include the active ingredient and Sec. 310.545(a)(6)(ii)(B) would be revised accordingly. The agency provided certain labeling requirements that would be in effect for topical nasal decongestant drug products containing l-desoxyephedrine during the stay (61 FR 9570). II. Recent Developments In the Pharmacopeial Forum of January/February 1997 (Ref. 1), USP proposed a monograph for l-desoxyephedrine. Based on the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council's recommendation, the proposal included levmetamfetamine as the new name for l-desoxyephedrine. The USAN Council and USP used the International Nomenclature Name (INN), levmetamfetamine, in place of l-desoxyephedrine. Levmetamfetamine is the title of the monograph adopted in the 6th Supplement of USP 23 (Ref. 2). In response to the USP proposed monograph for levmetamfetamine (Ref. 1), the agency at that time expressed its strong objection and the objection of the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) concerning the USAN Council's recommendation to adopt ``levmetamfetamine'' as the nonproprietary name for l- desoxyephedrine (Ref. 3). The agency indicated to the Council that both FDA and DEA shared concerns about an increased use of methamphetamine in the United States and with the large-scale diversion of some OTC drug products for illicit use in the manufacture of the controlled substances methamphetamine and methcathinone. Both agencies had concerns that the new name, levmetamfetamine, might draw the attention of potential drug abusers to these OTC nasal decongestant drug products if they contain ``metamfetamine'' in their name. The agency pointed out that although l-desoxyephedrine is a nonnarcotic substance (21 CFR 1308.22), an OTC drug product label containing a sound-alike name, such as ``levmetamfetamine'' may encourage intentional misuse. For these concerns, the agency asked the USAN Council to reconsider the proposed name change. At its January 27, 1997, meeting, the USAN Council considered the agency's request regarding the name change of l-desoxyephedrine to ``levmetamfetamine'' and voted to retain the name for the following reasons (Ref. 4): (1) Levmetamfetamine is nonaddictive, (2) the new name is consistent with INN policy, and (3) any other name for l- desoxyephedrine may also be confusing. At this time, the agency accepts the USAN Council's decision and is using levmetamfetamine as the new name for l-desoxyephedrine in the OTC nasal decongestant final monograph. III. The Agency's Final Conclusions Based on the new USP monograph for levmetamfetamine, the agency is amending the final monograph for OTC nasal decongestant drug products to include levmetamfetamine in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) (21 CFR 341.20(b)(1)) as a safe and effective OTC nasal decongestant active ingredient. The agency is also adding labeling for products containing this ingredient to the OTC nasal decongestant final monograph as follows: 1. In Sec. 341.80(c)(2)(ii) (21 CFR 341.80(c)(2)(ii): For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form and when labeled for adults. ``Do not use this product for more than 7 days. Use only as directed. Frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen. If symptoms persist, ask a doctor.'' 2. In Sec. 341.80(c)(2)(vii): For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form and when labeled for children under 12 years of age. ``Do not use this product for more than 7 days. Use only as directed. Frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen. If symptoms persist, ask a doctor.'' 3. In Sec. 341.80(d)(2)(i): For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form. ``The product delivers in each 800 milliliters of air 0.04 to 0.150 milligrams of levmetamfetamine. Adults: 2 inhalations in each nostril not more often than every 2 hours. Children 6 to under 12 years of age (with adult supervision): 1 inhalation in each nostril not more often than every 2 hours. Children under 6 years of age: ask a doctor.'' 4. In Sec. 341.80(d)(2)(viii), the agency is expanding the header to read: ``Other required statements--For products containing levmetamfetamine or propylhexedrine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) or (b)(9) when used in an inhalant dosage form.'' The agency is also amending Sec. 310.545(a)(6)(ii)(B) by removing the entry for ``l-desoxyephedrine (topical).'' IV. Labeling Guidance In the Federal Register of February 27, 1997 (62 FR 9024), FDA proposed to establish a standardized format for the labeling of OTC drug products. The labeling in this final rule does not follow the new format because the proposal has not been finalized to date. However, the agency is providing manufacturers guidance on how labeling in this final rule would be converted into the format proposed in Sec. 201.66 (62 FR 9024 at 9050 and 9051). The purpose and use of the products are already listed in and would follow Sec. 341.80(a) and (b) of the final monograph for OTC nasal decongestant drug products. The directions would appear as stated in this final rule and in Sec. 341.80(d)(2)(viii). The warnings in Sec. 341.80(c)(2)(ii) and (c)(2)(vii) would meet the requirements of proposed Sec. 201.66(c)(4) as follows: Table 1.--Conversion of Monograph Warnings to Proposed New Format ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nasal Decongestant Final Monograph February 27, 1997, Proposal ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do not use this product for more than 7 days. Do Not Use: for more than 7 days If symptoms persist, ask a doctor. Stop Using This Product If: symptoms persist Ask a doctor. These may be signs of a serious condition. Use only as directed. When Using This Product: use only as directed frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen Frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 40649]] Until the final rule for the labeling format proposal is published, manufacturers, distributors, and packagers must comply with the final rule published in this document. The final rule for the new labeling format will provide a date by which the labeling of all OTC nasal decongestant drug products covered by the monograph will need to be converted to the new labeling format. V. Analysis of Impacts FDA has examined the impacts of this final rule under Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other advantages; distributive impacts, and equity). Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, if a rule has a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities, an agency must analyze regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule on small entities. Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) requires that agencies prepare a written statement and economic analysis before proposing any rule that may result in an expenditure in any 1 year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million (adjusted annually for inflation). The proposed rule that has led to the development of this final rule was published on January 15, 1985 (50 FR 2220), before the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was enacted. The agency explains in this final rule that the final rule will not result in an expenditure in any 1 year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million. The agency believes that this final rule is consistent with the principles set out in the Executive Order and in these two statutes. The purpose of this final rule is to establish conditions under which OTC nasal decongestant drug products containing levmetamfetamine (formerly l-desoxyephedrine) are generally recognized as safe and effective. This includes establishing the allowable monograph labeling. The March 8, 1996, notice of partial stay of the OTC nasal decongestant final monograph included labeling that manufacturers of OTC topical nasal decongestant drug products containing levmetamfetamine (l-desoxyephedrine) had to have in effect by September 9, 1996. Therefore, all such currently marketed drug products should have this labeling in effect. The only labeling change that is necessary at this time is to change the established name from l- desoxyephedrine to levmetamfetamine as a result of the 6th Supplement to USP 23 (Ref. 2). A number of manufacturers of these products have already made this change as new labeling needed to be prepared. The agency believes that an effective date of 1 year from the date of this publication will provide manufacturers of the remaining products sufficient time to incorporate the name change during a future manufacturing cycle. The agency estimates that there are less than 100 stock keeping units (SKU) (individual products, packages, and sizes) of products containing this ingredient currently in the OTC marketplace. Other manufacturers who now wish to market a product containing this ingredient may enter the marketplace at any time. The agency considered but rejected several labeling alternatives: (1) A longer implementation period, and (2) an exemption for small entities. The agency does not consider either of these approaches acceptable because only a single labeling change (in the product's established name) is needed at this time. Further, the agency is aware that manufacturers of products containing this ingredient already started to change product labeling after the name change became official in USP 23. The analysis shows that this final rule is not economically significant under Executive Order 12866 and that the agency has considered the burden to small entities. Thus, this economic analysis, together with other relevant sections of this document, serves as the agency's final regulatory flexibility analysis, as required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Finally, this analysis shows that the Unfunded Mandates Act does not apply to the final rule because it would not result in an expenditure in any 1 year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million. VI. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 FDA concludes that the labeling requirements in this document are not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget because they do not constitute a ``collection of information'' under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Rather, the labeling statements are a ``public disclosure of information originally supplied by the Federal Government to the recipient for the purpose of disclosure to the public'' (5 CFR 1320.3(c)(2)). VII. Environmental Impact The agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.30(h) that this action is of a type that is categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment because these actions, as a class, will not result in the production or distribution of any substance and therefore will not result in the production of any substance into the environment. VIII. References The following references are on display in the Dockets Management Branch (address above) and may be seen by interested persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. (1) Pharmacopeial Forum, The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., Rockville, MD, p. 3429, January through February, 1997. (2) Sixth Supplement to USP 23 and to NF 18, United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., Rockville, MD, p. 3631, 1997. (3) Memorandum from D. Bowen, FDA, to R. Wolters, FDA representative to USAN Council, dated January 22, 1997, Docket No. 76N-052N, Dockets Management Branch. (4) Memorandum from R. Wolters, FDA representative to USAN Council, to D. Bowen et al., FDA, dated February 6, 1997, Docket No. 76N-052N, Dockets Management Branch. List of Subjects 21 CFR Part 310 Administrative practice and procedure, Drugs, Labeling, Medical devices, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 21 CFR Part 341 Labeling, Over-the-counter drugs. Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR parts 310 and 341 are amended as follows: PART 310--NEW DRUGS 1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 310 continues to read as follows: Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 331, 351, 352, 353, 355, 357, 360b- 360f, 360j, 361(a), 371, 374, 375, 379e; 42 U.S.C. 216, 241, 242(a), 262, 263b-263n. 2. Section 310.545 Drug products containing certain active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for certain uses is amended in paragraph (a)(6)(ii)(B) by removing the entry for ``l- desoxyephedrine (topical).'' [[Page 40650]] PART 341--COLD, COUGH, ALLERGY, BRONCHODILATOR, AND ANTIASTHMATIC DRUG PRODUCTS FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER HUMAN USE 3. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 341 continues to read as follows: Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 351, 352, 353, 355, 360, 371. 4. Section 341.20 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows: Sec. 341.20 Nasal decongestant active ingredients. * * * * * (b) * * * (1) Levmetamfetamine. * * * * * 5. Section 341.80 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(vii), and (d)(2)(i), and the heading of paragraph (d)(2)(viii) to read as follows: Sec. 341.80 Labeling of nasal decongestant drug products. * * * * * (c) * * * (2) * * * (ii) For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form and when labeled for adults. ``Do not use this product for more than 7 days. Use only as directed. Frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen. If symptoms persist, ask a doctor.'' * * * * * (vii) For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form and when labeled for children under 12 years of age. ``Do not use this product for more than 7 days. Use only as directed. Frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen. If symptoms persist, ask a doctor.'' * * * * * (d) * * * (2) * * * (i) For products containing levmetamfetamine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) when used in an inhalant dosage form. The product delivers in each 800 milliliters of air 0.04 to 0.150 milligrams of levmetamfetamine. Adults: 2 inhalations in each nostril not more often than every 2 hours. Children 6 to under 12 years of age (with adult supervision): 1 inhalation in each nostril not more often than every 2 hours. Children under 6 years of age: ask a doctor. * * * * * (viii) Other required statements--For products containing levmetamfetamine or propylhexedrine identified in Sec. 341.20(b)(1) or (b)(9) when used in an inhalant dosage form. * * * * * * * * Dated: July 23, 1998. William K. Hubbard, Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination. [FR Doc. 98-20303 Filed 7-29-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-F