The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a notice clarifying that businesses that started producing hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic are not required to pay certain facility fees under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These businesses, many of which normally produce alcoholic beverages, were allowed to make hand sanitizers due to a temporary policy by the FDA to address shortages. The Department emphasizes that imposing such fees would be inconsistent with the intent of the CARES Act and clarifies that these businesses are not considered drug manufacturing facilities under the law, unless they also engage in producing other over-the-counter drugs.
Simple Explanation
The government said that people who started making hand sanitizers because of the coronavirus, like some drink-makers, don't have to pay special fees usually meant for making regular medicines.