Last week the FDA posted final versions of two DSCSA guidance documents, and, a new draft Product Identifier Q&A document. The two final guidance documents include the grandfathering policy and the product identifier compliance policy that delayed enforcement of the product identifier and verification requirements until November 27, 2018. These documents are companions to each other, which is to say that they are pretty tightly related, and that’s why FDA Continue reading FDA Posts Two Final DSCSA Guidances And A Draft Product Identifier Q&A Document
Tag Archives: Grandfathering
DSCSA Guidance: Standardization of Data & Documentation Practices for Product Tracing
The second—and longer—draft guidance document the FDA published on the day of the third DSCSA public meeting is a “catch-all” (see also “DSCSA Guidance: Definitions of Suspect and Illegitimate Product for Verification Obligations” and “FDA DSCSA Public Meeting #3: A Difference?”). It contains lots of diverse recommendations, all related to the standardization of data contained in the DSCSA transaction information (TI), transaction history (TH), and transaction statement (TS). This draft guidance applies to every member of the supply chain, including drug manufacturers, CMOs, 3PLs, wholesale distributors, repackagers and dispensers of all kinds. Everyone should read it and submit comments to the FDA when something isn’t clear enough. Continue reading DSCSA Guidance: Standardization of Data & Documentation Practices for Product Tracing
FDA’s New DSCSA Grandfathering Guidance
I have now read the FDA’s new draft Grandfathering Policy that was published on Monday (see “FDA Publishes DSCSA Grandfathering Guidance Exactly 2 Years Late”) and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why it took two extra years beyond the due date to get it out. Back in September of 2015 I posted an essay that analyzed the options they had in front of them (see “Will Manufacturers Be Able To Grandfather Products In Their DC And 3PL?”). All they really had to do was chose from a short list of events that could trigger the drug’s transition into the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain at the time of the effective date. They had the following options: Continue reading FDA’s New DSCSA Grandfathering Guidance
In Absence Of FDA Guidance, Follow PDSA Recommendations
The Pharmaceutical Distribution Security Alliance (PDSA) is a coalition of companies and organizations dedicated to the safety and integrity of the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain. When the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) went into effect on November 27, 2013 the PDSA began to serve as a voice for its members in communications with the U.S. FDA. Their preferred way of communication is through formal letters signed by their legal advisor, Vince Ventimiglia. PDSA letters to the FDA are really interesting because they do an excellent job of providing recommendations for the FDA to consider as they prepared to publish the four guidance documents that were due back on November 27, 2015. The FDA has still not published those documents. Continue reading In Absence Of FDA Guidance, Follow PDSA Recommendations
Can Anyone Buy Non-Serialized Drugs After 11-27-2019?
Well over a year ago, my good friend Kevan MacKenzie, Director, Serialization Technology with McKesson, pointed out a really interesting discrepancy contained in the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) regarding the sale of non-serialized drugs. I’ve been meaning to write about it since then. The topic finally bubbled up to the top on my list.
What Kevan pointed out is that there are two sections of the DSCSA that contain slightly conflicting requirements. This leaves companies Continue reading Can Anyone Buy Non-Serialized Drugs After 11-27-2019?
Is The FDA Intentionally Delaying Publication Of The Overdue DSCSA Guidance?
Last week I wrote about the recent FDA DSCSA Public Meeting where the FDA asked for reports on the progress of the industry toward meeting the November 27, 2017 serialization requirements contained in the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) (see “FDA Forfeits Opportunity To Guide Industry”). In that essay I expressed a view that the FDA has squandered too much of the time necessary for the industry to meet whatever guidance they might offer about grandfathering and exceptions for products that are too small to accommodate a DSCSA product identifier. These guidance documents are now 11 months late.
What if the delay in publishing these guidance documents is intentional? Continue reading Is The FDA Intentionally Delaying Publication Of The Overdue DSCSA Guidance?
FDA Forfeits Opportunity To Guide Industry
I hope you were able to attend last Friday’s FDA DSCSA Public Meeting at FDA’s White Oak, Maryland campus (see “FDA To Hold DSCSA Public Meeting”). If you missed it, make sure you listen in on the recording that the FDA will provide on the event webpage. You can also submit written comments through that page as well. The event was called “Progress Toward Implementing the Product Identification Requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)” and it consisted of very brief introductory comments by the FDA followed by presentations made by attendees who applied for a speaking slot. Presentations covering progress toward the November 27, 2017 DSCSA serialization requirements were made by: Continue reading FDA Forfeits Opportunity To Guide Industry
Will Manufacturers Be Able To Grandfather Products In Their DC And 3PL? Again
This week I am posting one of my favorite essays from last fall because at this moment, I am in the middle of moving my home and office from one side of the Chicago metro area to the other to be closer to our kids. Also at this moment, the FDA is almost eight months late in publishing the grandfathering guidance that was mandated by the DSCSA. Here it is again.
Regulations often make use of a concept known as “grandfathering” to soften a given deadline so that it is easier for companies to meet. When allowed, grandfathering allows Continue reading Will Manufacturers Be Able To Grandfather Products In Their DC And 3PL? Again
