Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Establishing the Performance Characteristics of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices for the Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus for Culture-Based Devices; Availability

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of the draft guidance entitled “Establishing the Performance Characteristics of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices for the Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus for Culture-Based Devices.” This draft guidance document provides industry and Agency staff with recommendations for studies for establishing the performance characteristics of in vitro diagnostic devices for the detection of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), including those for the detection or detection and differentiation of MRSA versus S. aureus (SA) in either human specimens or bacterial growth detected by continuous monitoring blood culture systems. This draft guidance is not final nor is it in effect at this time.

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comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the Agency considers your comment on this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the guidance, submit either electronic or written comments on the draft guidance by September 13, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidance document entitled “Establishing the Performance Characteristics of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices for the Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) for Culture-Based Devices” to the Division of Small Manufacturers, International, and Consumer Assistance, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, rm. 4613, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your request, or fax your request to 301-847-8149. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for information on electronic access to the guidance.

Submit electronic comments on the draft guidance to http://www.regulations.gov.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. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alexandra Wong, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, rm. 5502, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-796-6210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

FDA is issuing this draft guidance to provide industry and Agency staff with recommendations for studies for establishing the performance characteristics of in vitro diagnostic devices for the detection of MRSA, including those for the detection or detection and differentiation of MRSA versus SA in either human specimens or bacterial growth detected by continuous monitoring blood culture systems. These devices are used to aid in the prevention and control of MRSA/SA infections in health care settings. This document is limited to studies intended to establish the performance characteristics of devices that detect MRSA by growth in culture media or those devices that test for the protein, penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a or PBP2′), expressed by the mecA gene. This includes culture-based devices that use selective or chromogenic media. It does not address the detection of serological response from the host to the MRSA antigens or establish the performance of non-MRSA components of multianalyte or multiplex nucleic acid based devices.

II. Significance of Guidance

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 establishing the performance characteristics of in vitro diagnostic devices for the detection of MRSA for culture-based devices. 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 statute and regulations.

III. Electronic Access

Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the draft guidance may do so by using the Internet. A search capability for all CDRH guidance documents is available at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/default.htm. Guidance documents are also available at http://www.regulations.gov. To receive “Establishing the Performance Characteristics of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices for the Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) for Culture-Based Devices,” you may either send an e-mail request to dsmica@fda.hhs.gov to receive an electronic copy of the document or send a fax request to 301-847-8149 to receive a hard copy. Please use the document number 1729 to identify the guidance you are requesting.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

This draft guidance refers to previously approved collections of information found in FDA regulations and guidance documents. These collections of information are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The collections of information in 21 CFR part 807, subpart E have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0120; the collections of information in 21 CFR part 812 have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0078; the collections of information in 21 CFR part 801 and 21 CFR 809.10 have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0485; and the collections of information in 42 CFR 493.15 have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0598.

V. Comments

Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES), either electronic or written comments regarding this document. It is only necessary to send one set of comments. It is no longer necessary to send two copies of mailed 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.