Drugs

Changes in HCEI Draft Guidance Noted

Three Akin Gump attorneys say that while a 2026 FDA draft guidance on how drug companies may communicate healthcare economic information with payors, formulary committees, and similar entities doesn’t break significant new ground, there are some differences between it and the 2018 final guidance it will replace when it is finalized. In an online post, the attorneys say the new draft eliminates the separate device section from the 2018 guidance and integrates drug and device guidance.

Other notable changes cited by the attorneys are:

statutory footing replaces enforcement discretion;
disclosure obligations are now mandatory; and
devices are now fully integrated.

“While it is helpful that this draft guidance is incorporating recent statutory changes,” the analysis concludes, “this relatively discrete release comes at a time when FDA is pursuing a number of initiatives that specifically focus on coverage, reimbursement, and payment considerations prior to drug or device approval or clearance, such as the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher program for drugs and the RAPID coverage pathway for devices. The comment period for the draft guidance, which ends 8/3, offers an opportunity to seek clarifications or recommend different approaches.”

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome