FDA – Page 2 – Shehadeh Giannamore, PLLC

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Potential Changes to FDA Regulation of Homeopathic Drugs

FDA Drugs, FDA, Homeopathic, Labeling, OTC Drugs

On April 20, 2015 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) heard testimony regarding homeopathic drugs and the Agency’s role in the regulation thereof. These two-day long hearings come after the FDA received over 1,500 public comments about the possibility of regulating homeopathic drugs in a manner consistent with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. A primer for the public hearing can be found in the federal register, here. Homeopathy began in the 18th century, based off of teachings from a German scientist, Samuel Hahnemann. The main concept in homeopathy is that, “like cures like” (similia similibus curentur) meaning that disease causing substances can…

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US Marshals Seize Topical Products Deemed Drugs by FDA

FDA Disease Claims, Drugs, Enforcement, FDA

On April 16, 2015, U.S. Marshals seized what the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) classified as unapproved prescription drugs from Stratus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Miami, Florida. Stratus purchased these unapproved prescription drugs, worth over $1.5 million, from Sonar Products, Inc. of New Jersey and marketed the topical products, deemed drugs by the FDA to consumers. The FDA conducted an inspection in late 2014 that revealed that Stratus was marketing these topical products without first acquiring the required FDA-approved drug applications, which is typically required when marketing drug products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FFDCA”). The FDA found…

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Food & Drug (FDA) Attorney Katherine Giannamore Interviewed on Complexities of Marketing Cosmetics

FDA Cosmetics, Disease Claims, Drugs, Enforcement, FDA, Labeling, Structure-Function Claims, Warning Letters

On March 31, 2015, Attorney Katherine Giannamore, of Shehadeh Giannamore, PLLC, was interviewed by Ryan Nelson of “The Rose Sheet” about the challenges that companies face when marketing cosmetic products. “The Rose Sheet” is one of the industry’s premier sources for specialized, in-depth coverage and analysis of regulatory and market developments across the personal care and cosmetics industries. The full text of the article interview may be accessed here. The article focuses on cosmetics companies’ efforts to simultaneously promote their products effectively while abiding by all applicable laws and regulations. On this blog, we have previously discussed the challenges and…

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FDA Warns of Marketing Cosmetics with Drug Claims

FDA Cosmetics, Disease Claims, Drug, Drugs, Enforcement, FDA, Labeling, Structure-Function Claims, Warning Letters

The difference between a product being marketed as a cosmetic and marketed as a drug can be a very thin line. However, the differences in regulation between the two are stark. The Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (The Act) governs the regulation of drugs and cosmetic products. The Act defines a cosmetic, in part, as something designed for the, “cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance [of a person].” By contrast, the Act defines a drug, in part, as a product “intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease," or “intended to affect…

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FDA Regulation of OTC Sunscreen Products

FDA Congress, FDA, GRASE, OTC, Sunscreen, TEA

Have you ever wondered who ensures the safety of your sunscreen? With many people, including pregnant women and children, choosing to wear sunscreen on a daily basis throughout the summer months, it is imperative that the sunscreen on the market is safe and effective. With that in mind, on November 26, 2014, Congress enacted the Sunscreen Innovation Act to provide an alternative process for review of safety and effectiveness of nonprescription sunscreen with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”). The Sunscreen Innovation Act does not relax the FDA’s scientific standards for evaluating safety and effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It…

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FDA Stops Company from Marketing Unapproved New Drugs

FDA Disease Claims, Drugs, Enforcement, FDA, Injunction, Labeling, NDA, Warning Letters

On January 30, 2015, and at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a federal judge granted a consent decree of permanent injunction against Laclede, a U.S.-based manufacturer in connection with the marketing of unapproved new drugs. The permanent injunction prohibits Laclede from selling and distributing unapproved new drugs or misbranded drugs and devices. According to FDA’s announcement, Laclede had a long history of violations with the FDA. In 2012, FDA inspectors found numerous violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for finished pharmaceuticals and other issues surrounding the marketing and sale of unapproved new drugs.…

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FDA Guides on General Wellness and Low Risk Devices

FDA CDRH, FDA, Guidance, Labeling, Medical Devices

On January 20, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed guidance document regarding the FDA’s current position on low risk devices and general wellness products. This guidance document directs the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) to deal with inquires from manufacturers asking whether or not their products qualify as “devices” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Devices are defined in section 201(h) of the FDCA as an “instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component, part, or accessory, which is ...intended…

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Court Issues Injunction after FDA Warning Letter Issues Persist

FDA CGMP, Dietary Supplements, Enforcement, FDA, Injunction, Recalls, Warning Letters

On January 16th 2015, a California dietary supplement manufacturer, Health One Pharmaceuticals, Inc., was ordered to stop sales of its products until the company meets certain U.S. Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") regulations and mandated standards (Current Good Manufacturing Practices or “CGMPs”). According to the FDA, the steps taken by the manufacturer in response to an FDA warning letter and FDA inspections did not bring the facility back into compliance with the CGMPs, prompting FDA to move forward with the action for injunction. In the case against the company, the judge signed a consent decree of permanent injunction, which requires…

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Overview of FDA’s Final Menu and Vending Labeling Rules

FDA Beverages, FDA, Food, Labeling, Menu Labeling, Nutrition Facts, Restaurants, Rulemaking, Vending Labeling

Menu and Vending Labeling Rules On November 25, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized two rules requiring that calorie counts be listed on menus and menu boards in certain restaurants and vending machines (menu and vending labeling rules). The full text of the menu and vending labeling rules can be found here. The menu labeling rule applies to restaurants if they are part of a chain of 20 or more locations, doing business under the same name, and offering more or less the same menu items. The 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act established nutrition labeling on…

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FDA HACCP Enforcement Sandwiches Food Company between a Rock and a Hard Place

FDA FDA, Food, HACCP, Warning Letters

On November 21, 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) filed for a permanent injunction in the Eastern District of Michigan against Scotty’s Incorporated, a manufacturer of ready-to-eat sandwiches. The FDA alleges that Scotty’s violated the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety management system, which according to FDA must be followed under federal law. Scotty’s had previously received a Warning Letter in 2009 for failing to have adequate processes and controls in place to minimize the risk of contamination and for failing to have a written HACCP plan for the tuna salad sandwiches prepared at the…