FR 2021-03243

Overview

Title

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Certification To Accompany Drug, Biological Product, and Device Applications or Submissions

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The FDA wants to make sure that when people apply to use new medicines or medical tools, they fill out a form to show they’re following all the rules. They say filling out this form should only take a little bit of time.

Summary AI

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, seeking to extend the collection of information related to drug, biological product, and device applications under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This involves certifications that accompany these submissions to ensure compliance with legal standards, including listing data for clinical trials in a registry. The FDA estimates that it will take approximately 15 to 45 minutes to complete the necessary certification forms, depending on the type of application, and aims to simplify compliance for sponsors and applicants. No public comments were received on this proposal when it was initially published.

Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 10104
Document #: 2021-03243
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 10104-10106

AnalysisAI

The document at hand is a notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), detailing a proposal submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This proposal concerns the collection of certain information required from parties submitting applications related to drugs, biological products, and medical devices. The FDA is looking to extend this collection process under the Paperwork Reduction Act, which mandates that certifications accompany various submissions to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

General Overview

This notice is an essential communication to inform the public about the FDA's request for comments on their proposal. It underscores the necessity for certifications to accompany applications for drugs, biological products, or devices, as part of maintaining compliance with specific sections of U.S. federal law. These certifications include information related to clinical trials, which are mandated to be listed in a registry and results databank to ensure public transparency and safety.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document presents a few complexities that may raise concerns or lead to misunderstandings among the general public or certain stakeholders. First, the text is heavily laden with legal and regulatory jargon, which could render it difficult for those who lack expertise in such areas to grasp fully. The document references several OMB control numbers with their associated expiration dates, which could be confusing for individuals trying to ensure their submissions comply with requirements.

Moreover, there is a significant dependence on electronic capabilities for efficient completion of the necessary forms. This assumption may not hold true for all submitters, potentially resulting in disparities. Additionally, the language concerning penalties for non-compliance, while clear, might appear intimidating. It lacks a supportive tone that could guide stakeholders towards meeting these regulations more comfortably.

Broader Public Impact

For the broader public, this document underscores the FDA's effort to maintain stringent oversight on drugs, biological products, and medical devices by ensuring these submissions meet legal standards. This contributes to increased public safety and confidence in the healthcare products available on the market. However, the technical nature of the document may alienate some individuals, who may perceive regulatory processes as opaque or inaccessible.

Impact on Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, such as drug and device manufacturers, sponsors, applicants, and submitters, will likely be directly affected by this notice. On the positive side, the process of standardized certifications aims to simplify the compliance process, ensuring a more consistent and transparent approach to legal standards.

Conversely, the requirement for detailed certifications, along with potential penalties for non-compliance, places a considerable burden on stakeholders. Those lacking sophisticated electronic capabilities might struggle with the timely and efficient completion of forms. This could lead to delays in submissions or, worse, incur penalties if certifications are deemed inadequate or false.

In sum, while the document’s objectives are to uphold regulatory compliance and enhance public safety, it brings to light several challenges for stakeholders, ranging from navigating complex legal language to managing digital submission requirements. These issues highlight the need for more accessible guidance and support in the compliance process to foster a more inclusive approach.

Issues

  • • The document is quite detailed and complex, which might make it difficult for individuals not well-versed in legal or regulatory language to understand fully.

  • • The mention of several different OMB control numbers and expiration dates could be confusing to those trying to follow compliance requirements.

  • • There are a lot of references to specific sections of the FD&C Act and PHS Act, which might not be easily accessible or clear without additional context.

  • • The document assumes electronic capabilities for efficient form completion, which may not be available to all submitters, potentially leading to disparities.

  • • The language around the penalties for not complying with certification requirements is clear but might be intimidating without offering a more supportive guidance for compliance.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 3
Words: 1,683
Sentences: 55
Entities: 174

Language

Nouns: 592
Verbs: 139
Adjectives: 79
Adverbs: 17
Numbers: 114

Complexity

Average Token Length:
5.07
Average Sentence Length:
30.60
Token Entropy:
5.39
Readability (ARI):
21.41

Reading Time

about 6 minutes