Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Investigational New Drug Regulations

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on requirements under which the clinical investigation of the safety and effectiveness of unapproved new drugs and biological products can be conducted.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by December 12, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments . Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Nelson, Office of Management Programs (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-1482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.

With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Investigational New Drug Regulations—21 CFR Part 312 (OMB Control Number 0910-0014)—Extension

FDA is requesting OMB approval for the reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in the FDA regulation “Investigational New Drug Application” in part 312 (21 CFR part 312). This regulation implements provisions of section 505(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) (21 U.S.C. 355(i)) to issue regulations under which the clinical investigation of the safety and effectiveness of unapproved new drugs and biological products can be conducted.

FDA is charged with implementing statutory requirements that drug products marketed in the United States be shown to be safe and effective, properly manufactured, and properly labeled for their intended uses. Section 505(a) of the act provides that a new drug may not be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce in the United States unless FDA has previously approved a new drug application (NDA). FDA approves an NDA only if the sponsor of the application first demonstrates that the drug is safe and effective for the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the product's labeling. Proof must consist, in part, of adequate and well-controlled studies, including studies in humans, that are conducted by qualified experts. The IND regulations establish reporting requirements that include an initial application as well as amendments to that application, reports on significant revisions of clinical investigation plans, and information on a drug's safety or effectiveness. In addition, the sponsor is required to give FDA an annual summary of the previous year's clinical experience. Submissions are reviewed by medical officers and other agency scientific reviewers assigned responsibility for overseeing the specific study. The IND regulations also contain recordkeeping requirements that pertain to the responsibilities of sponsors and investigators. The detail and complexity of these requirements are dictated by the scientific procedures and human subject safeguards that must be followed in the clinical tests of investigational new drugs.

The IND information collection requirements provide the means by which FDA can do the following: (1) Monitor the safety of ongoing clinical investigations; (2) determine whether the clinical testing of a drug should be authorized; (3) ensure production of reliable data on the metabolism and pharmacological action of the drug in humans; (4) obtain timely information on adverse reactions to the drug; (5) obtain information on side effects associated with increasing doses; (6) obtain information on the drug's effectiveness; (7) ensure the design of well-controlled, scientifically valid studies; (8) obtain other information pertinent to determining whether clinical testing should be continued and information related to the protection of human subjects. Without the information provided by industry in response to the IND regulations, FDA cannot authorize or monitor the clinical investigations which must be conducted prior to authorizing the sale and general use of new drugs. These reports enable FDA to monitor a study's progress, to assure subject safety, to assure that a study will be conducted ethically, and to increase the likelihood that the sponsor will conduct studies that will be useful in determining whether the drug should be marketed and available for use in medical practice.

There are two forms that are required under part 312. The first is Form FDA-1571 “Investigational New Drug Application.” A person who intends to conduct a clinical investigation submits this form to FDA. It includes the following information: (1) A cover sheet containing background information on the sponsor and investigator, (2) a table of contents, (3) an introductory statement and general investigational plan, (4) an investigator's brochure describing the drug substance, (5) a protocol for each planned study, (6) chemistry, manufacturing, and control information for each investigation, (7) pharmacology and toxicology information for each investigation, and (8) previous human experience with the investigational drug.

The second form required under part 312 is Form FDA-1572 “Investigator Statement.” Before permitting an investigator to begin participation in an investigation, the sponsor must obtain and record this form. It includes background information on the investigator and the investigation, and a general outline of the planned investigation and the study protocol.

FDA is requesting OMB approval for the following reporting and recordkeeping requirements in part 312:

In tables 2 and 3 of this document, the estimates for “No. of Respondents,” “No. of Responses per Respondent,” and “Total Annual Responses” were obtained from the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) reports and data management systems for submissions received in 2004 and from other sources familiar with the number of submissions received under part 312. The estimates for “Hours per Response” were made by CDER and CBER individuals familiar with the burden associated with these reports and from estimates received from the pharmaceutical industry.

FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: