[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 62 (Friday, April 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16827-16828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6472]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 2004D-0117]


International Conference on Harmonisation; Guidance on E2E 
Pharmacovigilance Planning; Availability

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the 
availability of a guidance entitled ``E2E Pharmacovigilance Planning.'' 
The guidance was prepared under the auspices of the International 
Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration 
of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The guidance describes a method 
for summarizing the important potential and identified risks of a drug. 
It proposes a structure for a pharmacovigilance plan and sets out 
principles of good practice for the design and conduct of observational 
studies. The guidance is intended to aid in planning pharmacovigilance 
activities, especially in preparation for the early postmarketing 
period of a new drug.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on agency guidances at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the guidance to 
the Division of Drug Information (HFD-240), Center for Drug Evaluation 
and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20857, or the Office of Communication, Training, and 
Manufacturers Assistance (HFM-40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and 
Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 
MD 20852-1448. The guidance may also be obtained by mail by calling the 
CBER Voice Information System at 1-800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800. Send 
one self-addressed adhesive label to assist the office in processing 
your requests. Submit written comments on the guidance to the Division 
of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 
Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments 
to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments. See the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section for electronic access to the guidance document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Regarding the guidance: Paul Seligman, Center for Drug Evaluation 
and Research (HFD-030), Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 
20857, 301-827-6276, or M. Miles Braun, Center for Biologics Evaluation 
and Research (HFM-220), 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-
827-3974.
    Regarding the ICH: Michelle Limoli, Office of International 
Programs (HFG-1), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-4480.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In recent years, many important initiatives have been undertaken by 
regulatory authorities and industry associations to promote 
international harmonization of regulatory requirements. FDA has 
participated in many meetings designed to enhance harmonization and is 
committed to seeking scientifically based harmonized technical 
procedures for pharmaceutical development. One of the goals of 
harmonization is to identify and then reduce differences in technical 
requirements for drug development among regulatory agencies.
    ICH was organized to provide an opportunity for tripartite 
harmonization initiatives to be developed with input from both 
regulatory and industry representatives. FDA also seeks input from 
consumer representatives and others. ICH is concerned with 
harmonization of technical requirements for the registration of 
pharmaceutical products among three regions: The European Union, Japan, 
and the United States. The six ICH sponsors are the European 
Commission; the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries 
Associations; the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; the 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; the Centers for Drug 
Evaluation and Research and Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA; and 
the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The ICH 
Secretariat, which coordinates the preparation of documentation, is 
provided by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical 
Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA).
    The ICH Steering Committee includes representatives from each of 
the ICH sponsors and the IFPMA, as well as observers from the World 
Health Organization, Health Canada, and the European Free Trade Area.
    In the Federal Register of March 30, 2004 (69 FR 16579), FDA 
published a notice announcing the availability of a draft tripartite 
guidance entitled ``E2E Pharmacovigilance Planning.'' The notice gave 
interested persons an opportunity to submit comments by May 19, 2004.
    After consideration of the comments received and revisions to the 
guidance, a final draft of the guidance was submitted to the ICH 
Steering Committee and endorsed by the three participating regulatory 
agencies in November 2004.
    The document provides guidance on summarizing the important 
identified risks of a drug, important potential risks, and important 
missing information, including the potentially at-risk populations and 
situations where the product is likely to be used that have not been 
studied prior to approval. The guidance proposes a structure for a 
pharmacovigilance plan and sets out principles of good practice for the 
design and conduct of observational studies.
    This guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance 
practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The guidance represents the 
agency's current thinking on this topic. It does not create or confer 
any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the 
public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies 
the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

II. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments on the guidance at any 
time. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies 
of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper 
copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in 
brackets in the heading of this document. The guidance and received 
comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

III. Electronic Access

    Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at 
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/

[[Page 16828]]

default.htm, http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm, or http://www.fda.gov/cber/publications.htm.

    Dated: March 25, 2005.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 05-6472 Filed 3-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S