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New Rules on Prescription Drug Preemption and Preemption Principles

FDA believes that under existing preemption principles, FDA approval of labeling under the act, whether it be in the old, or new format, preempts conflicting or contrary State law. Indeed, the Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of FDA, has filed a number of amicus briefs making this very point. In order to more fully address the comments expressing concern about the product liability implications of revising the labeling for prescription drugs, we believe it would be useful to set forth in some detail the arguments made in those amicus briefs. The discussion that follows, therefore, represents the government’s long standing views on preemption, with a particular emphasis on how that doctrine applies to State laws that would require labeling that conflicts with or is contrary to FDA approved labeling.

FDA Preemption Position
Under the act, FDA is the expert federal public health agency charged by Congress with ensuring that drugs are safe and effective, and that their labeling adequately informs users of the risks and benefits of the product and is truthful and not misleading. Under the act and FDA regulations, the agency makes approval decisions based not on an abstract estimation of its safety and effectiveness, but rather on a comprehensive scientific evaluation of the product’s risks and benefits under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the labeling (22 U.S.C. 355(d)).

FDA considers not only complex, clinical issues related to the use of the product in study populations, but also important and practical public health issues pertaining to the use of the product in day-to-day clinical practice, such as the nature of the disease or condition for which the product will be indicated, and the need for risk management measures to help assure in clinical practice that the product maintains its favorable benefit-risk balance. The centerpiece of risk management for prescription drugs generally is the labeling which reflects thorough FDA review of the pertinent scientific evidence and communicates to health care practitioners the agency’s formal, authoritative conclusions regarding the conditions under which the product can be used safely and effectively. FDA carefully controls the content of labeling for a prescription drug, because such labeling is FDA’s principal tool for educating health care professionals about the risks and benefits of the approved product to help ensure safe and effective use.

Changes to labeling typically are initiated by the sponsor, subject to FDA review, but are sometimes initiated by FDA. Under FDA regulations, to change labeling (except for editorial and other minor revisions), the sponsor must submit a supplemental application fully explaining the basis for the change (§§ 314.70 and 601.12(f) (21 CFR 314.70 and 601.12) (f))). FDA permits two kinds of labeling supplements: (1) Prior approval supplements, which require FDA approval before a change is made (Sec. 314.70(b) and 601.12(f) (l)); and (2) “changes being effected” (CBE) supplements, which may be implemented before FDA approval, but after FDA notification (§§ 324.70(c) and 601.1.2(f)(2)). While a sponsor is permitted to add risk information to the FPI without first obtaining FDA approval via a CBE supplement, FDA reviews all such submissions and may later deny approval of the supplement, and the labeling remains subject to enforcement action if the added information makes the labeling false or misleading under section 502(a) of the act (21 U.S.C.352). Thus, in practice, manufacturers typically consult with FDA prior to adding risk information to labeling. As noted in response to comment 5, however, a sponsor may not use a CBE supplement to make most changes to highlights.

Since the proposed rule was published, FDA has learned of several instances in which product liability lawsuits have directly threatened the agency’s ability to regulate manufacturer dissemination of risk information for prescription drugs in accordance with the act. [citations omitted.]

Tomorrow: New Rules on Prescription Drug Preemption and State Law

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