by Gary Novack | Feb 13, 2019 | FDA, News
The U.S. FDA signaled strengthening of regulation of dietary supplements in remarks by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. He notes “…In the 25 years since Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), the law that transformed the FDA’s authority to regulate dietary supplements, the dietary supplement market has grown significantly. What was once a $4 billion industry comprised of about 4,000 unique products, is now an industry worth more than $40 billion, with more than 50,000 – and possibly as many as 80,000 or even more – different products available to consumers.”
FDA “sent out 12 warning letters and five online advisory letters to companies whose products, many of which are marketed as dietary supplements, are being illegally marketed as unapproved new drugs because the products bear unproven claims to prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer’s disease, as well as a number of other serious diseases.”
To some of us, the promotion of nutritional supplements by some firms goes beyond that allowed by law. Further, some firms prey upon patients’ unfounded belief that “If it’s natural, it must be safe”.
by Gary Novack | Mar 11, 2018 | FDA, News
In a conference by a leading U.S. health insurer lobbying group (America’s Health Insurance Plans, AHIP), US FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. criticized “Kabuki drug-pricing constructs” that profit industry at the expense of consumers. He stated “Patients shouldn’t face exorbitant out-of-pocket costs, and pay money where the primary purpose is to help subsidize rebates paid to a long list of supply chain intermediaries,” . “Sick people aren’t supposed to be subsidizing the healthy.” Much of the cash flow in patient payments for prescription pharmaceuticals is not disclosed to either patients or physicians, as described in my 2016 article, “What determines how much your patient pays for their medication in the United States” in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Note that current U.S. law does not allow the FDA to consider drug pricing in their regulatory actions. However, FDA’s actions may affect pricing – e.g., speed of review and approval of generic marketing applications (Abbreviated New Drug Applications).
by Gary Novack | Feb 14, 2018 | FDA, News, Publications
There’s a lot of talk and confusion of the issues involved in the role of compounding pharmacies for topical ocular medications (eyedrops). Please see this interview in EyeWorld in which I am interviewed about regulatory issues. I address the special role which compounding pharmacies have played in the therapeutic process as physicians tailor therapies to individual patients. At the same time, I discuss the issues in the use of compounding pharmacies for larger populations crossing state lines.
by Gary Novack | Jan 27, 2018 | Consulting, FDA
I’m pleased to be part of NDA Partners Quantitative Drug Development Strategies Practice – providing drug development guidance to Sponsors.
Together with other senior industry and regulatory consultants, we will be providing expertise in quantitative clinical pharmacology, the application of Bayesian approaches in biostatistics and clinical trial design, and clinical trial modeling and simulation. NDA Partners will support the design and execution of clinical trials that can accelerate development programs and that produce high-quality regulatory packages containing the data needed to secure regulatory approval without delays.
by Gary Novack | Jan 22, 2018 | FDA, News
FDA continues to be open during government shut-down, due in part to user fees paid for by industry
by Gary Novack | Jan 11, 2018 | FDA
The U.S. FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) approved 46 new medical entities in 2017. This was a record high for the last ten years. PharmaLogic supported at least two of them, one of them considered to be a first in class.
