The biotech and pharmaceutical industries are on the cutting edge of innovation and arguably drive the progress of humanity. The speed at which this metamorphosis takes place is often faster than legislators and regulatory bodies can keep up. When they do finally catch up, it can force progress into a screetching halt in order to make sense of new guidelines or restrictions. To help ease some of the burden, this post will provide a basic overview of the FDA’s recent draft guidance on drug labeling.
Dosage and Administration Labeling
The FDA’s new draft guidance replaced the 2010 version and goes into extensive detail. The “Dosage and Administration Section of Labeling” released in January 2023 provides updated recommendations on the content and format of the dosage and administration section of prescription drug labeling. The guidance aims to improve communication between healthcare providers and patients by providing clear and concise information about the dosage and administration of prescription drugs.
The guidance highlights the importance of providing specific and accurate information about the dosage and administration of drugs to healthcare providers and patients. The FDA requires that companies include information such as the recommended dose, route of administration, and duration of treatment, as well as any necessary dosage adjustments for patients with specific conditions. Furthermore, the guidance emphasizes the need for companies to conduct studies to ensure that the dosage and administration information is accurate and effective in real-world settings. This means that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies must be diligent in conducting studies and gathering data to support their labeling claims.
None of this is particularly new or out of the ordinary in terms of industry standards, but it also states that there are new requirements in terms of the language used within the instructions. Although doctors are already familiar with all the pertinent nomenclature and jargon, it requires that the language be clear and concise so as to reduce any potential confusion. Labeling should also indicate the risk of manipulating different dosage forms in clear language to prevent practitioners from suggesting that patients crush or split particular forms of medication, as well as explain the medical consequences if patience were to do this of their own volition.
Staying Compliant
Staying in compliance with FDA regulations can be a daunting task for any company dealing with products under their jurisdiction. Of course, it’s possible to pour over extensive documents and memorize them front and back, however, innovation means that it’s never been done before. By default, new biotech and pharmaceuticals are pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible, which means that it can be especially difficult to determine where a specific product can fit within the existing terminology and regulation.
Becoming knowledgeable is recommended, but boxing your product to fit into pre-set standards can limit its development and potential to improve lives. This is one of the many reasons our firm is passionate about assisting clients in balancing their product objectives with risk management. At Baker Jenner, we’re committed to helping our clients stay in compliance with FDA regulations without limiting their growth. If you’re ready for a partnership that provides expedient results, schedule a consultation by filling out an online form, or call (404) 400-5955 today.
Baker Jenner LLLP
