[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24094-24095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11289]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Drug Enforcement Administration
[DEA-182P]
21 CFR Part 1308
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Proposed Placement of
Zaleplon into Schedule IV
AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This proposed rule is issued by the Deputy Administrator of
the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to place the substance
zaleplon, including its salts, into Schedule IV of the Controlled
Substances Act (CSA). This proposed action is based on a recommendation
from the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General of the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and on an evaluation of
the relevant data by the DEA. If finalized, this action will impose the
regulatory controls and criminal sanctions of Schedule IV on those who
handle zaleplon and products containing zaleplon.
DATES: Comments, objections and requests for a hearing must be received
on or before June 4, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments, objections and requests for a hearing should be
submitted in quintuplicate to the Deputy Administrator, Drug
Enforcement Administration, Washington, D.C. 20537; Attention: DEA
Federal Register Representative/CCR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Sapienza, Chief, Drug and
Chemical Evaluation Section, Drug Enforcement Administration,
Washington, D.C. 20537, (202) 307-7183.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Zaleplon is a central nervous system (CNS)
depressant that is being considered for marketing approval by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), under the trade name
SONATATM. Zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic in the
pyrazolopyrimidine class, chemically distinct from the benzodiazepines,
which competitively binds to the gamma-aminobutyric acid, type A
(GABAA, central benzodiazepine receptor. Its pharmacology,
abuse and dependence liabilities are similar to those of the
benzodiazepines that are currently listed in Schedule IV of the CSA. In
clinical trials zaleplon was found to be approximately 100-times less
potent but equivalent in its potential for abuse when compared to the
prototypic benzodiazepine, triazolam; triazolam is in Schedule IV of
the CSA. Zaleplon will be marketed as a prescription drug product for
the short-term treatment of insomnia.
Zaleplon is N-[3-(3-cyanopyrazol [1,5-alpyrimidin-7-yl]-N-
ethylacetamide, and has been identified by code names CL-284,846 and
ZAL-846. There are no asymmetric centers in the molecule or any optical
isomers. Zaleplon has a rapid onset and short duration of action, and
forms no pharmacologically-active metabolite in man. Zaleplon reduces
sleep latency but has a relatively insignificant effect on total sleep
time. These pharmacokinetic characteristics of zaleplon should prevent
any long-term carryover or hangover effects. However, zaleplon has
shown a mild to moderate benzodiazepine-like withdrawal syndrome after
acute and continuous dosing studies in baboons.
Zaleplon has demonstrated significant muscle relaxant, ataxic,
anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic effects and cognitive impairments in
preclinical screening assays. Zaleplon is reinforcing in animals as
demonstrated by self-administration studies. It produces euphoria,
alterations in mood, perception, memory and subjective effects in
humans typical of other benzodiazepines with abuse potential in
Schedule IV.
The complexity of the synthesis procedure for preparation of
zaleplon precludes a likely synthesis of the drug substance outside a
laboratory environment and by individuals lacking training in organic
chemistry synthesis. Hallucinations, amnesia, depression and hostility
were the most serious adverse events related to the use of zaleplon
during the clinical trials. Zaleplon-related overdoes were also noted
during the clinical trails. Zaleplon-related overdoes were also noted
during the clinical development program. The FDA has concluded that
zaleplon's abuse potential appears to be lower than that of Schedule II
depressants and similar
[[Page 24095]]
to the Schedule IV benzodiazepines. On March 31, 1999, the Assistant
Secretary for Health and Surgeon General, Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS), sent the Deputy Administrator of DEA a letter
recommending that zaleplon, and its salts, be placed into Schedule IV
of the CSA (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). Enclosed with the March 31, 1999,
letter was a document prepared by the FDA entitled, ``Basis for the
Recommendation for Control of Zaleplon in Schedule IV of the Controlled
Substances Act (CSA).'' The document contained a review of the factors
which the CSA requires the Secretary to consider [21 U.S.C. 811(b)].
The correspondence from the Assistant Secretary for Health and
Surgeon General to the DEA dated March 31, 1999, confirmed that FDA had
determined that the New Drug Application (NDA) for zaleplon was
``approvable'' and had issued an approvable letter to the NDA sponsor
on January 6, 1999. According to the March 31, 1999, letter from DHHS,
``upon full approval of the NDA, zaleplon will have a currently
accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.''
The factors considered by the Assistant Secretary of Health and
Surgeon General and the DEA with respect to zaleplon were:
(1) Its actual or relative potential for abuse;
(2) Scientific evidence of its pharmacological effects;
(3) The state of current scientific knowledge regarding the drug;
(4) Its history and current pattern of abuse;
(5) The scope, duration, and significance of abuse;
(6) What, if any, risk there is to the public health;
(7) Its psychic or physiological dependence liability; and
(8) Whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a substance
already controlled under this subchapter.
21 U.S.C. 811(c).
Relying on the recommendation of the Assistant Secretary for Health
and Surgeon General, received in accordance with section 201(b) of the
Act [21 U.S.C. 811(b)], and the independent review of the available
data by the DEA, the Deputy Administrator of the DEA, pursuant to
sections 201(a) and 201(b) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 811(a) and 811(b)],
find that:
(1) Based on information now available, zaleplon has a low
potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in
Schedule III;
(2) Zalepon will, upon approval of an NDA by the FDA, have a
currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States;
and
(3) Abuse of zaleplon may lead to limited physical dependence or
psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances
in Schedule III.
21 U.S.C. 812(b)(4).
Based on these findings, the Deputy Administrator of the DEA
concludes that zaleplon, including its salts, warrants control in
Schedule IV of the CSA, if and when the zaleplon NDA is approved by the
FDA. It is noted that zaleplon does not have optical isomers to be
controlled under this action.
Interested persons are invited to submit their comments, objections
or requests for a hearing, in writing, with regard to this proposal.
Requests for a hearing should state, with particularity, the issues
concerning which the person desires to be heard. All correspondence
regarding this matter should be submitted to the Deputy Administrator,
Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC, 20537. Attention: DEA
Federal Register Representative/CCR. In the event that comments,
objections, or requests for a hearing raise one or more issues which
the Deputy Administrator finds warrants a hearing, the Deputy
Administrator shall order a public hearing by notice in the Federal
Register, summarizing the issues to be heard and setting the time for
the hearing.
In accordance with the provisions of the CSA [21 U.S.C. 811(a)],
this action is a formal rulemaking ``on the record after opportunity
for a hearing.'' Such proceedings are conducted pursuant to the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557 and, as such, are exempt from review
by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Executive Order
(E.O.) 12866, section 3(d)(1). The Deputy Administrator, in accordance
with the Regulatory Flexibility Act [5 U.S.C. 605(b)], has reviewed
this proposed rule and by approving it certifies that it will not have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. Zaleplon products will be prescription drugs used for the
short-term treatment of insomnia. Handlers of zaleplon also handle
other controlled substances used to treat insomnia which are already
subject to the regulatory requirements of the CSA.
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or
uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed
necessary under provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
This rule is not a major rule as defined by Sec. 804 of the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will
not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more;
a major increase in costs or prices: or significant adverse effects on
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on
the ability of the United States-based companies to compete with
foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.
This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 12612, it is
determined that this rule, if finalized, will not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
List of Subjects in 21 CFR 1308
Administrative practice and procedure, Drug traffic control,
Narcotics, Prescription drugs.
Under the authority vested in the Attorney General by section
201(a) of the CSA [21 U.S.C. 811(a)], and delegated to the
Administrator of the DEA by the Department of Justice regulations (28
CFR 0.100), and redelegated to the Deputy Administrator pursuant to 28
CFR 0.104, the Deputy Administrator hereby proposes that 21 CFR part
1308 be amended as follows:
PART 1308--(AMENDED)
1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 1308 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 811, 812, 871(b) unless otherwise noted.
2. Section 1308.14 is proposed to be amended by redesignating the
existing paragraph (c)(48) to (c)(49) and by adding a new paragraph
(c)(48) to read as follows:
Sec. 1308.14 Schedule IV.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(48) Zaleplon......................................................2781
* * * * *
Dated: April 26, 1999.
Donnie R. Marshall,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-11289 Filed 5-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-M