
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77515-77516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30109]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2007-D-0369]


Bioequivalence Recommendations for Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 
Extended-Release Oral Suspension; Draft Guidance for Industry; 
Availability

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the 
availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Bioequivalence 
Recommendations for Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Oral 
Suspension.'' The recommendations provide specific guidance on the 
design of bioequivalence (BE) studies to support abbreviated new drug 
applications (ANDAs) for methylphenidate hydrochloride (HCl) extended-
release oral suspension.

DATES: Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 
10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the Agency considers your comments on 
this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the 
guidance, submit either electronic or written comments on the draft 
guidance by February 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the draft 
guidance to the Division of Drug Information, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10001 New 
Hampshire Ave., Hillandale Building, 4th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 
20993-0002. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that 
office in processing your requests. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section for electronic access to the draft guidance document.
    Submit electronic comments on the draft guidance to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets 
Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kris Andr[eacute], Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research (HFD-600), Food and Drug Administration, 10903 
New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 75, Rm. 4726, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 
240-402-7959.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of June 11, 2010 (75 FR 33311), FDA 
announced the availability of a guidance for industry, ``Bioequivalence 
Recommendations for Specific Products,'' which explained the process 
that would be used to make product-specific BE recommendations 
available to the public on FDA's Web site at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm. As 
described in that guidance, FDA adopted this process as a means to 
develop and disseminate product-specific BE recommendations and provide 
a meaningful opportunity for the public to consider and comment on 
those recommendations. This notice announces the availability of draft 
BE recommendations for methylphenidate HCl extended-release oral 
suspension.
    New drug application 202100 for Quillivant XR (methylphenidate HCl) 
extended-release oral suspension was initially approved by FDA in 
September 2012. There are no approved ANDAs for this product. FDA is 
now issuing a draft guidance for industry on BE recommendations for 
generic methylphenidate HCl extended-release oral suspension (Draft 
Methylphenidate HCl Oral Suspension BE Recommendations).
    In August 2014, Pfizer, Inc., manufacturer of the reference listed 
drug, Quillivant XR, submitted a citizen petition requesting that FDA 
establish certain BE requirements for any new drug product that 
references Quillivant XR and seeks approval by means of demonstrating 
BE to Quillivant XR (Docket No. FDA-2014-P-1269). FDA is reviewing the 
issues raised in the petition.
    This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good 
guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when 
finalized, will represent the Agency's current thinking on the design 
of BE studies to support ANDAs for methylphenidate HCl extended-release 
oral suspension. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any 
person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative 
approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the 
applicable statutes and regulations.

II. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) either electronic or written

[[Page 77516]]

comments regarding this document. It is only necessary to send one set 
of comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets 
in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the 
Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.

III. Electronic Access

    Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at 
either http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm or http://www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: December 18, 2014.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014-30109 Filed 12-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P


