67 FR 34 pgs. 7701-7702 - Determination That Azathioprine 25-Milligram Tablet Was Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness
Type: NOTICEVolume: 67Number: 34Pages: 7701 - 7702
Docket number: [Docket No. 01P-0383]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-4030 Filed 2-19-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Health and Human Services Department
Sub Agency: Food and Drug Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 01P-0383]
Determination That Azathioprine 25-Milligram Tablet Was Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its determination that azathioprine 25-milligram (mg) tablet (Imuran) was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination will allow FDA to approve abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) for azathioprine 25-mg tablets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carol E. Drew, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (HFD-7), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-594-2041.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In 1984, Congress enacted the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-417) (the 1984 amendments), which authorized the approval of duplicate versions of drug products approved under an ANDA procedure. ANDA sponsors must, with certain exceptions, show that the drug for which they are seeking approval contains the same active ingredient in the same strength and dosage form as the "listed drug," which is a version of the drug that was previously approved under a new drug application (NDA). Sponsors of ANDAs do not have to repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain approval of an NDA. The only clinical data required in an ANDA are data to show that the drug that is the subject of the ANDA is bioequivalent to the listed drug.
The 1984 amendments include what is now section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(j)(7)), which 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 generally known as the "Orange Book." Under FDA regulations, drugs are withdrawn from the list if the agency withdraws or suspends approval of the drug's NDA or ANDA for reasons of safety or effectiveness, or if FDA determines that the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). Regulations also provide that the agency must make a determination as to whether a listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness before an ANDA that refers to that listed drug may be approved (§ 314.161(a)(1) (21 CFR 314.161(a)(1))). FDA may not approve an ANDA that does not refer to a listed drug.
On August 31, 2001, AAI International submitted a citizen petition (Docket No. 01P-0383/CP1) under 21 CFR 10.30 to FDA requesting that the agency determine whether azathioprine 25-mg tablet was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Azathioprine 25-mg tablet is the subject of NDA 016-324. FDA approved NDA 016-324, currently held by Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. (Prometheus), on March 21, 1980. FDA has determined that azathioprine 25-mg tablet was withdrawn from sale.
FDA has reviewed its records and, under § 314.161, has determined that azathioprine 25-mg tablet was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Accordingly, the agency will continue to list azathioprine 25-mg tablet 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. ANDAs that refer to azathioprine 25-mg tablet may be approved by the agency.
Dated: February 11, 2002.
Margaret M. Dotzel,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 02-4030 Filed 2-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S