[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 138 (Monday, July 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42829-42830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17726]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2007-D-0369]


Bioequivalence Recommendations for Lubiprostone; Revised Draft 
Guidance for Industry; Availability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availability of a revised draft guidance for industry on lubiprostone 
capsules entitled ``Bioequivalence Recommendations for Lubiprostone.'' 
The recommendations provide specific guidance on the design of 
bioequivalence (BE) studies to support abbreviated new drug 
applications (ANDAs) for lubiprostone capsules.

DATES: Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 
10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the Agency considers your comments on 
this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the 
guidance, submit either electronic or written comments on the draft 
guidance by September 18, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the draft 
guidance to the Division of Drug Information, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10001 New 
Hampshire Ave., Hillandale Building, 4th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 
20993-0002. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that 
office in processing your requests. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section for electronic access to the draft guidance document.
    Submit electronic comments on the draft guidance to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets 
Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Xiaoqiu Tang, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research (HFD-600), Food and Drug Administration, 10903 
New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 75, Rm. 4730, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 
301-796-5850.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of June 11, 2010 (75 FR 33311), FDA 
announced the availability of a guidance for industry, ``Bioequivalence 
Recommendations for Specific Products,'' which explained the process 
that would be used to make product-specific BE recommendations 
available to the public on FDA's Web site at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm. As 
described in that guidance, FDA adopted this process as a means to 
develop and disseminate product-specific BE recommendations and provide 
a meaningful opportunity for the public to consider and comment on 
those recommendations. This notice announces the availability of draft 
BE recommendations for lubiprostone capsules.
    FDA initially approved new drug application (NDA) 021908 for 
AMITIZA capsules in January 2006. There are no approved ANDAs for this 
product. In August 2010, we issued a draft guidance for industry on BE 
recommendations for generic lubiprostone capsules. We are now issuing a 
revised draft guidance for industry on BE recommendations for generic 
lubiprostone capsules (``Bioequivalence Recommendations for 
Lubiprostone'').
    In January 2014, Sucampo Pharma Americas, LLC, manufacturer of the 
reference listed drug, AMITIZA, submitted a citizen petition requesting 
that FDA revise the BE requirements for any new drug product that 
references AMITIZA and seeks approval by means of demonstrating BE to 
AMITIZA. FDA has reviewed the issues raised in the petition and is 
responding to the petition (Docket No. FDA-2014-P-0144).
    This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good 
guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when 
finalized, will represent the Agency's current thinking on the design 
of BE studies to support ANDAs for lubiprostone capsules. 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 either electronic comments regarding 
this document to http://www.regulations.gov or written comments to the 
Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES). It is only necessary to 
send one set of comments. Identify comments with the docket number 
found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments 
may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be posted to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

III. Electronic Access

    Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at 
either http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm or http://www.regulations.gov.


[[Page 42830]]


    Dated: July 15, 2015.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-17726 Filed 7-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4164-01-P