FDA Policy/General

Guidance on FDA accepting Gifts on Behalf of U.S.

Federal Register Notice: FDA has made available a guidance on “Gifts to FDA: Evaluation and Acceptance.” The HHS secretary has the authority to accept conditional or unconditional gifts on behalf of the U.S., and this authority has been delegated to the FDA commissioner. The document provides the process and principles the agency will use in implementing this authority. FDA says it will consider gifts from all sources except the Reagan-Udall Foundation on a case-by-case basis using a balancing test, described in the guidance. It also outlines five reasons gifts should be rejected, such as when: (1) The donor imposes conditions that are illegal, are contrary to public policy, are unreasonable to administer, are contrary to FDA’s current policies and procedures, or are contrary to generally accepted public standards; (2) the donor requires the agency to provide the donor with some privilege, concession, or other present or future benefit in return for the gift; (3) a debarred entity offers the gift; (4) a different authority or financial mechanism applies; or (5) the total costs associated with acceptance are expected to exceed the cost of purchasing a similar item and the cost of normal care and maintenance. To view the guidance, click here. To view the notice, click here.

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