[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 128 (Thursday, July 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39918-39919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14269]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA-2020-P-1072]
Determination That ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir) Oral Capsules, 200
Milligrams, Was Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or
Effectiveness
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) has
determined that ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) oral capsules, 200 milligrams (mg),
was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
This determination means that FDA will not begin procedures to withdraw
approval of abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) that refer to
this drug product, and it will also allow FDA to continue to approve
ANDAs that refer to the product as long as they meet relevant legal and
regulatory requirements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Tierney, Center for Drug
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6213, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-
796-9120, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1984, Congress enacted the Drug Price
Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-417)
(the 1984 amendments), which authorized the approval of duplicate
versions of drug products under an ANDA procedure. ANDA applicants
must, with certain exceptions, show that the drug for which they are
seeking approval contains the same active ingredient in the same
strength and dosage form as the ``listed drug,'' which is a version of
the drug that was previously approved. ANDA applicants do not have to
repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain
approval of a new drug application (NDA).
The 1984 amendments include what is now section 505(j)(7) of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(j)(7)), which
requires FDA to publish a list of all approved drugs. FDA publishes
this list as part of the ``Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic
Equivalence Evaluations,'' which is known generally as the ``Orange
Book.'' Under FDA regulations, drugs are removed from the list if the
Agency withdraws or suspends approval of the drug's NDA or ANDA for
reasons of safety or effectiveness or if FDA determines that the listed
drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness (21
CFR 314.162).
[[Page 39919]]
A person may petition the Agency to determine, or the Agency may
determine on its own initiative, whether a listed drug was withdrawn
from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination
may be made at any time after the drug has been withdrawn from sale,
but must be made prior to approving an ANDA that refers to the listed
drug (Sec. 314.161 (21 CFR 314.161)). FDA may not approve an ANDA that
does not refer to a listed drug.
ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) oral capsules, 200 mg, is the subject of NDA
018828, held by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., and initially approved on
January 25, 1985. ZOVIRAX is indicated for the acute treatment of
herpes zoster (shingles), the treatment of initial episodes and the
management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes, and the treatment
of chickenpox (varicella).
ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) oral capsules, 200 mg, is currently listed in
the ``Discontinued Drug Product List'' section of the Orange Book.
Yiling Pharmaceuticals Ltd. submitted a citizen petition dated March
10, 2020 (Docket No. FDA-2020-P-1072), under 21 CFR 10.30, requesting
that the Agency determine whether ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) oral capsules,
200 mg, was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
After considering the citizen petition and reviewing Agency records
and based on the information we have at this time, FDA has determined
under Sec. 314.161 that ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) oral capsules, 200 mg, was
not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. The petitioner
has identified no data or other information suggesting that ZOVIRAX
(acyclovir) oral capsules, 200 mg, was withdrawn for reasons of safety
or effectiveness. We have carefully reviewed our files for records
concerning the withdrawal of ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) oral capsules, 200 mg,
from sale. We have also independently evaluated relevant literature and
data for possible postmarketing adverse events. We have reviewed the
available evidence and determined that this drug product was not
withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
Accordingly, the Agency will continue to list ZOVIRAX (acyclovir)
oral capsules, 200 mg, in the ``Discontinued Drug Product List''
section of the Orange Book. The ``Discontinued Drug Product List''
delineates, among other items, drug products that have been
discontinued from marketing for reasons other than safety or
effectiveness. FDA will not begin procedures to withdraw approval of
approved ANDAs that refer to this drug product. Additional ANDAs for
this drug may also be approved by the Agency as long as they meet all
other legal and regulatory requirements for the approval of ANDAs. If
FDA determines that labeling for this drug product should be revised to
meet current standards, the Agency will advise ANDA applicants to
submit such labeling.
Dated: June 23, 2020.
Lowell J. Schiller,
Principal Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2020-14269 Filed 7-1-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P