Tag Archives: Clinical Trials

Major Medical Device Changes In China Introduced by the 2018 Draft Amendment to the “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Medical Device”*

Following the issuance of the “Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Examination and Approval System and Encouraging Innovation in the Industries of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices” by the Central Office of the Communist Party of China and the Office of the State Council on October 1, 2017, the former China Food and Drug Administration** formulated … Continue Reading

Off-Label Promotion And The First Amendment Updates

Although activity around the Amarin and Pacira cases has settled down, questions regarding the FDA’s position on truthful off-label promotion-and whether it comports with First Amendment free speech principles—persist. The FDA has announced a two-day public hearing on November 9 and 10, 2016 regarding “Manufacturer Communications Regarding Unapproved Uses of Approved or Cleared Medical Products.”  In-person … Continue Reading

A Proposed End to “Amarin Pharm v. FDA” has FDA Agreeing to Abide by District Court’s Order

We have been closely following Amarin Pharm, Inc. v. FDA with respect to the preliminary injunction granted by the Southern District of New York that prohibited the FDA from taking action against Amarin over truthful, non-misleading “off-label” statements about its prescription drug Vascepa. We’ve also been following the similar Pacira Pharm., Inc. v. FDA case, which … Continue Reading

FDA Gauges Coverage Organizations’ Interest in Connecting with Device Sponsors to Discuss Evidence Needs During Clearance Process

The FDA published a notice on February 24, 2016 requesting whether organizations (e.g. insurers, health technology assessment organizations) that evaluate clinical evidence used to support private payer medical device coverage decisions are interested in providing input to medical device developers on clinical trial design or other evidence-gathering needed to support positive coverage decisions.  If coverage … Continue Reading

UPDATE: Pacira Pharmaceutical Inc. v. FDA Lawsuit Settled

The Pacira Pharmaceutical Inc. v. FDA lawsuit has been a frequent topic of discussion on the blog, and now, in breaking news, the case has been settled.  Pacira will be receiving essentially everything it wanted in a “favorable resolution,” and the FDA is formally withdrawing its warning letter that attempted a retroactive reduction in the … Continue Reading

GAO Report Regarding FDA-Ordered Postmarket Studies

Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report entitled “Medical Devices: FDA Ordered Postmarket Studies to Better Understand Safety Issues, and Many Studies Are Ongoing.”   According to the report, “GAO was asked to report on the characteristics and status of postmarket studies. This report describes (1) the types of devices for which FDA has ordered … Continue Reading

Updates Regarding the Pacira Pharmaceutical Inc. v. FDA Lawsuit Regarding First Amendment and Off-Label Promotion Issues

As readers of this blog know, following Amarin’s success in obtaining a preliminary injunction limiting FDA enforcement action against it for truthful, non-misleading off-label promotion of its prescription drug Vascepa, Pacira Pharmaceuticals filed a similar lawsuit regarding off-label promotion of its prescription drug Exparel. While we await the FDA’s response to Pacira’s motion for preliminary … Continue Reading

Change Coming to FDA’s “Intended Use” Regulations?

Over at the Drug And Device Law Blog, our colleagues call attention to proposed changes to the “intended use” regulations for prescription drugs and devices, 21 C.F.R. §201.128 and 21 C.F.R. §804.1, somewhat hidden within a proposed rule regarding tobacco published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2015. As the FDA explained, the changes … Continue Reading

First Amarin Pharm v. FDA, Now Pacira Pharm, Inc. v. FDA

The Southern District of New York certainly is becoming a hotbed for issues relating to the FDA’s ability to take enforcement action against manufacturers who promote their FDA-regulated products for uses outside the approved label indications.  The Amarin Pharm v. FDA litigation has garnered a good deal of attention, and after Amarin and the FDA … Continue Reading

Federal Departments and Agencies Release Proposed Rule to Modernize Regulations Under Common Rule

As discussed on our Health Industry Washington Watch blog here, on September 2, 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),  along with fifteen other federal departments and agencies, released a proposed rule to modernize regulations governing human research subjects under the Common Rule. Currently the Common Rule applies to all research involving human … Continue Reading

What Comes Next In Amarin Pharm v. FDA?

The Southern District of New York’s preliminary injunction in Amarin Pharm, Inc. v. FDA—prohibiting the FDA from taking action against Amarin over truthful, non-misleading “off-label” statements about its prescription drug Vascepa—understandably has been big news, analyzed here  and  elsewhere. Some are asking whether the FDA will pursue appellate review of the decision.  An indication about … Continue Reading

Amarin Obtains Preliminary Injunction Against FDA Regarding Off-Label and First Amendment Issues

In our prior posts about Amarin Pharma, Inc. v. FDA, we wondered what the Southern District of New York would make of Amarin’s request for an order prohibiting the FDA from taking enforcement actions against it over speech regarding “off-label” uses of its prescription drug, Vascepa.  Although Vascepa is regulated as a drug, equivalent products … Continue Reading

House Easily Passes 21st Century Cures Legislation, Includes Significant FDA Reforms

On July 10, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives passed with an overwhelming majority (344-77), the 21st Century Cures bill (H.R. 6), a high-profile bipartisan bill intended to speed up and improve the process for approving innovative drugs and medical devices, and to address other issues, including those regarding clinical trial design, research funding, and … Continue Reading

Amarin Pharma v. FDA – More Briefs Filed Regarding Off-Label Promotion And The First Amendment

Our prior  posts  looked at the Amarin Pharma, Inc. v. United States Food and Drug Administration lawsuit, which raises issues regarding the First Amendment and how it applies to speech by drug and device manufacturers regarding “off-label” uses.  We provided links to amicus briefs by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Washington … Continue Reading

FDA Files Brief Regarding Off-Label Promotion In Amarin Pharma Lawsuit

As we mentioned in our prior post, the Amarin Pharma, Inc. v. United States Food and Drug Administration lawsuit pending in the Southern District of New York raises interesting issues regarding the First Amendment and how it applies to speech by drug and device manufacturers regarding “off-label” uses.  As we noted, on June 8, 2015, … Continue Reading

FDA Sued By Drug Manufacturer Over Constitutional Right To Discuss Off-Label Uses

The FDA has long sought to ban manufacturers from promoting off-label uses of approved drugs and medical devices.  In taking the position that manufacturers and their agents cannot promote off-label uses, the FDA suggests they are safeguarding the public from misbranded medical products and ensuring that manufacturers do not circumvent the drug- and device-approval processes. … Continue Reading

Bipartisan Energy & Commerce Committee Leaders Release Updated 21st Century Cures Draft

The bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has released their 2015 version of the 21st Century Cures Act, which is intended to bolster medical discovery, treatment development and delivery of treatment to patients. The nearly 200-page legislation is the product of a year-long collaboration between lawmakers and stakeholders.… Continue Reading

FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Acceptance of Medical Device Clinical Data from Studies Conducted Abroad

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing the availability of a draft guidance document clarifying its acceptance of medical device clinical data from studies conducted in countries other than the United States. The document is intended to provide guidance regarding the 2012 Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act § 1123, amending Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act § 569B, which codified FDA's policy of accepting scientifically-valid clinical data obtained from non-U.S. clinical studies in support of premarket submissions for medical devices.… Continue Reading

FDA Hosting Workshop on April 1 to Discuss Clinical Outcome Assessments

As mentioned on our Health Industry Washington Watch blog, the FDA will host a public workshop on April 1, 2015 to provide updates on the use of clinical outcome assessments (COAs), as well as to address plans for future development and use of COAs in drug development programs. The workshop, entitled “Clinical Outcomes Assessment Development … Continue Reading

FDA Draft Guidance Addresses Electronic Informed Consent in Clinical Investigations

FDA has issued a draft guidance providing recommendations for clinical investigators, sponsors and institutional review boards on the use of electronic informed consent for FDA-regulated clinical investigations of medical products, including drugs, medical devices and biological products. FDA is accepting comments on the draft guidance until May 8, 2015. In addition, the HHS Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) is considering whether to adopt the positions and recommendations proposed in this guidance for research regulated under the HHS protection of human subjects regulations and to issue a joint OHRP/FDA guidance document on this topic once the FDA's final guidance document has been developed.… Continue Reading

Public Consultation Examines Potential Confidentiality Issues with New European Clinical Trial Regulations

Since January 21, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has been holding a public consultation on the new European Clinical Trial Regulations (CTRs), which are intended to streamline the application process for clinical trials and increase the availability of information and results. However, the CTRs have met with some concerns regarding commercial and patient confidentiality. As … Continue Reading

False Advertising Claims & The First Amendment

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled on January 30th that the Federal Trade Commission can prohibit POM Wonderful LLC from making the advertising claim that its products can help in fighting afflictions and ailments such as heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The appeals court also decided that POM Wonderful requires the support of one clinical trial before it can make any subsequent claims that its products are effective in fighting disease. POM Wonderful had maintained that its advertisements and claims are protected under the First Amendment, a position that was rejected by the appellate court's decision.… Continue Reading

U.S. Congressional Committees Address Drug And Device Approval

As mentioned on our Health Industry Washington Watch blog, committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate last week addressed the speed at which medical innovations are approved and available for patient use. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s “21st Century Cures Act” discussion draft, released on January 27, 2015, is a wide-reaching bill … Continue Reading
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