FDA to Decide Florida Drug Import by 10/31

FDA has told a Florida federal court that it expects to decide by 10/31 whether to approve a Florida plan to import some drugs from Canada. Public radio station WUSF reports the agency statement led the federal judge to stay key parts of a state lawsuit against the agency until 11/1. The stay reportedly relates to allegations by the state that FDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in its consideration of the drug import proposal.

“Although the court understands plaintiffs’ desire to expedite the case,” said federal judge Thomas Barber, “the court notes that this case is currently set for trial in November. The potential for the APA claims to become moot upon a decision from FDA prior to trial weighs heavily in favor of staying the proceedings as to these claims to conserve judicial resources.” He reportedly added that the state and FDA should be prepared to go to trial in November should the claims not be resolved by then.