Drugs

No Quality Unit Seen in Safrel Pharmaceuticals Inspection

A 1/13-1/30 FDA inspection at the Safrel Pharmaceuticals drug manufacturing facility in Dayton, NJ, found significant violations of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for finished drugs. An 8/7 Warning Letter says Safrel failed to establish an adequate quality unit and to have in writing and fully follow the responsibilities and procedures applicable to the quality unit.

The letter also says the firm was unable to provide documentation of its packaging and labeling operations and thus FDA was unable to verify the nature, scope, and disposition of materials conducted at the facility.

FDA reminds Safrel that it is responsible for the quality of its drugs, regardless of agreements in place with contract facilities. The agency recommends that the company engage a qualified consultant to assist it in meeting CGMP requirements.

Safrel was told to promptly correct the violations and to respond with a list of specific actions it has taken to address the violations and prevent their recurrence, with a schedule for completing the corrections.

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