[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15253-15254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06053]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2025-P-0100]


Determination That VIBRAMYCIN (Doxycycline) for Oral Suspension, 
Equivalent 25 Milligrams Base/5 Milliliter, Was Not Withdrawn From Sale 
for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) has 
determined that VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral suspension, 
equivalent (EQ) 25 milligrams (mg) base/5 milliliters (mL), was not 
withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This 
determination means that FDA will not begin procedures to withdraw 
approval of abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) that refer to 
this drug product, and it will allow FDA to continue to approve ANDAs 
that refer to the product as long as they meet relevant legal and 
regulatory requirements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madeleine Giaquinto, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New 
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6219, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 240-
863-8976, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 505(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, 
and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 355(j)) allows the submission of 
an ANDA to market a generic version of a previously approved drug 
product. To obtain approval, the ANDA applicant must show, among other 
things, that the generic drug product: (1) has the same active 
ingredient(s), dosage form, route of administration, strength, 
conditions of use, and (with certain exceptions) labeling as the listed 
drug, which is a version of the drug that was previously approved, and 
(2) is bioequivalent to the listed drug. ANDA applicants do not have to 
repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain 
approval of a new drug application (NDA).
    Section 505(j)(7) of the FD&C Act requires FDA to publish a list of 
all approved drugs. FDA publishes this list as part of the ``Approved 
Drug Products With Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,'' which is 
known generally as the ``Orange Book.'' Under FDA regulations, drugs 
are removed from the list if the Agency withdraws or suspends approval 
of the drug's NDA or ANDA for reasons of safety or effectiveness or if 
FDA determines that the listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons 
of safety or effectiveness (21 CFR 314.162).
    A person may petition the Agency to determine, or the Agency may 
determine on its own initiative, whether a listed drug was withdrawn 
from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination 
may be made at any time after the drug has been withdrawn from sale but 
must be made prior to approving an ANDA that refers to the listed drug 
(Sec.  314.161 (21 CFR 314.161)). FDA may not approve an ANDA that does 
not refer to a listed drug.
    VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral suspension, EQ 25 mg base/5 mL, 
is the subject of NDA 050006, held by Pfizer Inc., and initially 
approved on December 6, 1967. VIBRAMYCIN is indicated for the treatment 
of infections as specified in its labeling.
    VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral suspension, EQ 25 mg base/5 mL, 
is currently listed in the ``Discontinued Drug Product List'' section 
of the Orange Book.
    Strides Pharma Inc., submitted a citizen petition dated January 8, 
2025 (Docket No. FDA-2025-P-0100), under 21 CFR 10.30, requesting that 
the Agency determine whether VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral 
suspension, EQ 25 mg base/5 mL, was withdrawn from sale for reasons of 
safety or effectiveness.
    After considering the citizen petition and reviewing Agency records 
and based on the information we have at this time, FDA has determined 
under Sec.  314.161 that VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral suspension, 
EQ 25 mg base/5 mL, was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or 
effectiveness. The petitioner has identified no data or other 
information suggesting that VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral 
suspension, EQ 25 mg base/5 mL, was withdrawn for reasons of safety or 
effectiveness. We have carefully reviewed our files for records 
concerning the withdrawal of VIBRAMYCIN (doxycycline) for oral 
suspension, EQ 25 mg base/5 mL, from sale. We have also independently 
evaluated relevant literature and data for possible postmarketing 
adverse events. We have found no information that would indicate that 
this drug product was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or 
effectiveness.
    Accordingly, the Agency will continue to list VIBRAMYCIN 
(doxycycline) for oral suspension, EQ 25

[[Page 15254]]

mg base/5 mL, in the ``Discontinued Drug Product List'' section of the 
Orange Book. The ``Discontinued Drug Product List'' delineates, among 
other items, drug products that have been discontinued from marketing 
for reasons other than safety or effectiveness. FDA will not begin 
procedures to withdraw approval of approved ANDAs that refer to this 
drug product. Additional ANDAs for this drug product may also be 
approved by the Agency as long as they meet all other legal and 
regulatory requirements for the approval of ANDAs. If FDA determines 
that labeling for this drug product should be revised to meet current 
standards, the Agency will advise ANDA applicants to submit such 
labeling.

    Dated: March 31, 2025.
P. Ritu Nalubola,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2025-06053 Filed 4-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P