99-11897. Revision of Requirements Applicable to Albumin (Human), Plasma Protein Fraction (Human), and Immune Globulin (Human)  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 93 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 26282-26287]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-11897]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Food and Drug Administration
    
    21 CFR Part 640
    
    [Docket No. 98N-0608]
    
    
    Revision of Requirements Applicable to Albumin (Human), Plasma 
    Protein Fraction (Human), and Immune Globulin (Human)
    
    AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
    
    ACTION:  Direct final rule.
    
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     SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the 
    biologics regulations by removing, revising, or updating specific 
    regulations applicable to blood derivative products to be more 
    consistent with current practices and to remove unnecessary or outdated 
    requirements. FDA is issuing these amendments directly as a final rule 
    because the agency believes they are noncontroversial and that there is 
    little likelihood that there will be comments opposing the rule. 
    Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a 
    proposed rule under FDA's usual procedures for notice and comment in 
    the event the agency receives any significant adverse comments. If any 
    significant adverse comment is received sufficient to terminate the 
    direct final rule within 30 days after the comment period ends, FDA 
    will consider such comments on the proposed rule in developing the 
    final rule. FDA is issuing this rule as
    
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    part of the agency's ``blood initiative'' in which FDA is reviewing and 
    revising, when appropriate, its regulations, policies, guidance, and 
    procedures related to blood products, including plasma derivatives.
    DATES: This rule is effective September 27, 1999. Submit written 
    comments on or before July 28, 1999. If FDA receives no significant 
    adverse comments within the specified comment period, the agency 
    intends to publish a document confirming the effective date of the 
    final rule in the Federal Register within 30 days after the comment 
    period on this direct final rule ends. If timely significant adverse 
    comments are received, the agency will publish a document in the 
    Federal Register withdrawing this direct final rule before its 
    effective date.
    
    ADDRESSES:  Submit written comments on the direct final rule to the 
    Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 
    Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Sharon A. Carayiannis, Center for 
    Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-17), Food and Drug 
    Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852-
    1448, 301-827-6210.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    
    I. The Blood Initiative
    
        For a variety of reasons, discussed in this document, FDA has 
    decided to comprehensively review and, as necessary, revise its 
    regulations, policies, guidance, and procedures related to the 
    licensing and regulation of blood products. In the Federal Register of 
    June 3, 1994 (59 FR 28821 and 59 FR 28822, respectively), FDA issued 
    two documents, ``Review of General Biologics and Licensing 
    Regulations'' (Docket No. 94N-0066) and ``Review of Regulations for 
    Blood Establishments and Blood Products'' (Docket No. 94N-0080). The 
    documents announced the agency's intent to review biologics regulations 
    (parts 600, 601, 606, 607, 610, 640, and 660 (21 CFR 600, 601, 606, 
    607, 610, 640, and 660)) and requested written comments from the 
    public. Interested persons were given until August 17, 1994, to respond 
    to the documents. In response to requests for additional time, FDA 
    twice extended the comment period, as announced in the Federal Register 
    of August 17, 1994 (59 FR 42193), and November 14, 1995 (59 FR 56448). 
    In addition, FDA responded to requests for a public meeting to allow 
    for the presentation of comments regarding the agency's intent to 
    review the biologics regulations. On January 26, 1995, FDA held a 
    public meeting to provide an opportunity for all interested individuals 
    to present their comments and to assist the agency in determining 
    whether the regulations should be revised, rescinded, or continued 
    without change. Since the time of the regulation review, FDA has 
    implemented a number of changes to its regulations and policies 
    applicable to the general biologics and licensing regulations, some of 
    which applied to blood products as well as other biological products. 
    (See, e.g., the final rules issued on May 14, 1996 (61 FR 24313); 
    August 1, 1996 (61 FR 40153); November 6, 1996 (61 FR 57328); July 24, 
    1997 (62 FR 39890); and October 15, 1997 (62 FR 53536).)
        Because of the importance of a safe national blood supply, the U.S. 
    House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, 
    Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations (the 
    Subcommittee) and other groups such as the General Accounting Office 
    (GAO), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have reviewed the agency's 
    policies, practices, and regulations. Reports issued following the 
    respective reviews contained a number of recommendations as to how FDA 
    might improve the biologics regulations, particularly as they apply to 
    the continued safety of blood products. The relevant reports are: (1) 
    ``Protecting the Nation's Blood Supply From Infectious Agents: The Need 
    for New Standards to Meet New Threats,'' by the Subcommittee (August 2, 
    1996); (2) ``Blood Supply: FDA Oversight and Remaining Issues of 
    Safety,'' by GAO (February 25, 1997); (3) ``Blood Supply: Transfusion-
    Associated Risks,'' by GAO (February 25, 1997); and (4) ``HIV and the 
    Blood Supply: An Analysis of Crisis Decisionmaking,'' by IOM (July 13, 
    1995). These reports are on file with the Dockets Management Branch 
    (address above) under the docket number given in the heading of this 
    document.
        FDA has reviewed these reports and agrees with the majority of the 
    recommendations contained within them. However, rather than to only 
    respond specifically to the recommendations from the Subcommittee, GAO, 
    IOM, and the public, FDA has convened a number of internal task forces 
    to review a variety of issues related to the regulation of blood and 
    blood products, including how to most appropriately update the existing 
    regulations applicable to blood and blood products. In the future, FDA 
    intends to issue a number of blood-related regulations that various FDA 
    task groups currently are preparing. FDA emphasizes that for many of 
    the changes discussed in section III of this document, additional 
    issues related to the regulations now being amended continue to be 
    under consideration by the agency. Further, more substantive changes 
    may be proposed at a later date. Accordingly, any comment recommending 
    an additional change to these regulations will not be considered to be 
    an ``adverse comment'' unless the comment demonstrates that the change 
    being made in the direct final rule represents a major departure from 
    current regulations or accepted industry standards, or cannot be 
    implemented without additional amendments to the regulations.
        FDA is not describing the specific recommendations it has received 
    and the numerous objectives of the blood initiative in this document. 
    Future rulemaking and other notices will describe and discuss specific 
    recommendations and regulatory objectives as they apply to each 
    rulemaking.
    
    II. Legal Authority
    
         FDA is issuing this new rule under the biologics products and 
    communicable disease provisions of the Public Health Service Act (PHS 
    Act) (42 U.S.C. 262-264) and the drug, device, and general 
    administrative provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
    (the act) (21 U.S.C. 321, 331, 351-353, 355, 360, 360j, 371, and 374). 
    Under these provisions of the PHS Act and the act, FDA has the 
    authority to issue and enforce regulations designed to ensure that 
    biological products are safe, pure, potent, and properly labeled and to 
    prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable 
    disease.
    
    III. Highlights of the Direct Final Rule
    
        FDA is amending the biologics regulations by removing, revising, or 
    updating specific regulations applicable to blood derivative products 
    to be more consistent with current practices and to remove unnecessary 
    or outdated requirements. In addition, minor editorial changes, such as 
    correction of punctuation, are being made. FDA is issuing these 
    amendments directly as a final rule because the agency believes they 
    are noncontroversial and that there is little likelihood that there 
    will be comments opposing the rule. In this section of this document, 
    FDA is identifying each of the changes included in the direct final 
    rule.
    
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    A. Identification of Plasma as the Source Material for Derivative 
    Products
    
        Sections 640.80(a), 640.90(a), and 640.100(a) state the proper name 
    and definition for Albumin (Human), Plasma Protein Fraction (Human) and 
    Immune Globulin (Human), respectively. With the ubiquitous use of 
    modern anticoagulants, these products are prepared solely from human 
    plasma. Sections 640.80(a), 640.90(a), and 640.100(a) are changed from 
    ``a sterile solution * * * human blood'' to ``a sterile solution * * * 
    derived from human plasma.''
        Sections 640.80(b), 640.90(b), and 640.100(b) discuss source 
    material of Albumin (Human), Plasma Protein Fraction (Human), and 
    Immune Globulin (Human), respectively. With modern practice, these 
    products are no longer prepared from Whole Blood, sera or human 
    placentas. FDA is changing Secs. 640.80(b), 640.90(b), and 640.100(b) 
    to clarify and update the requirements for source material. Sections 
    640.80(b), 640.90(b), and 640.100(b) are changed to read ``The source 
    material of * * * shall be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared 
    as prescribed in Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared 
    as prescribed in Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.''
    
    B. Clarification for Microbial Contamination During Processing
    
        Sections 640.81(c) and 640.91(c) discuss microbial contamination of 
    source material and are amended to clarify that ``All processing steps 
    shall be conducted in a manner to minimize the risk of contamination 
    from microorganisms, pyrogens or other impurities.''
    
     C. Clarification of Process for Heat Treatment
    
        Sections 640.81(e) and 640.91(e) discuss heat treatment and are 
    amended to clarify that the heating process shall be continuous for the 
    time and at the temperature currently specified in the regulations. In 
    addition, Secs. 640.81(e) and 640.91(e) are corrected, by deleting a 
    degree sign, to read ``600.5  deg.C''.
    
    D. Clarification for Stabilizer Used in Albumin (Human) and Plasma 
    Protein Fraction (Human)
    
        Sections 640.81(f) and 640.91(f), stabilizer, are amended by 
    clarifying the range for acceptable amounts of stabilizer(s) that shall 
    be present in Albumin (Human) and Plasma Protein Fraction (Human), 
    respectively. Consistent with the amount of stabilizer(s) currently 
    used in these products, the regulations are amended to require either 
    0.080.016 millimole sodium caprylate, or 
    0.080.016 millimole sodium acetyltryptophanate and 
    0.080.016 millimole sodium caprylate per gram of protein. 
    The word ``present'' has been substituted for ``added'' in 
    Secs. 640.81(f) and 640.91(f) to clarify that the regulation pertains 
    to the amount of stabilizer in the final product. In addition, 
    Secs. 640.81(f) and 640.91(f) are amended to simplify calculations of 
    stabilizer(s) content in Albumin (Human) and Plasma Protein Fraction 
    (Human). Manufacturers may employ the labeled value for the protein 
    concentration. For example, if the measured protein concentration of a 
    lot of 5 percent Albumin (Human) is 5.15 percent, the calculations of 
    stabilizer(s) content may use the labeled value of 5 percent. Thus, if 
    the measured concentration of sodium caprylate is 0.35 millimole per 
    deciliter and the measured protein concentration is 5.15 percent (i.e., 
    5.15 grams per deciliter), the sodium caprylate concentration may be 
    calculated as 0.35 divided by 5, or 0.07 millimole per gram of protein.
    
    E. Revision of Terminology
    
        Sections 640.82(a) and 640.82(d), protein content and sodium 
    content, respectively, are corrected by replacing ``content'' with 
    ``concentration'' to be more precise.
        Sections 640.82(c), 640.92(c), and 640.101(b) are amended by 
    changing the term from ``hydrogen ion concentration'' to ``pH'' to 
    reflect the more commonly used terminology.
        Section 640.82(e), heme content, is replaced by potassium 
    concentration, which describes the acceptable potassium concentration 
    of the final product. Heme concentration is well controlled by the 
    procedures currently used to prepare plasma, and all recent lots of 
    Albumin (Human) have heme concentrations well below the maximum 
    specified in the current regulation. To update the regulations, the 
    requirement for the determination of heme content is deleted and 
    replaced with a requirement that ``the potassium concentration of the 
    final product shall not exceed 2 milliequivalents per liter.'' All 
    licensed manufacturers are currently manufacturing Albumin (Human) with 
    a potassium concentration that does not exceed 2 milliequivalents per 
    liter. This revision is also consistent with the current requirements 
    in Sec. 640.92(e) for the closely related product, Plasma Protein 
    Fraction.
        Sections 640.84(a)(1) and (a)(4), 640.92(a), (d), and (e), and 
    640.94(a) are corrected by replacing ``content'' with ``concentration'' 
    to be more precise. Section 640.84(b) is removed to be consistent with 
    changes made to Sec. 640.80(a) and (b). Section 640.84(a)(1) through 
    (a)(4) is redesignated as Sec. 640.84(a) through (d).
    
    F. Correction of Spelling
    
        Section 640.91(b)(2) and (c) are revised by correcting the spelling 
    of ``coefficient'' and ``contamination,'' respectively.
    
    G. Revision of Range for Protein Concentration
    
        Section 640.92(a), protein concentration, is corrected by changing 
    ``5.00.3'' to ``5.00.30'' to reflect the 
    precision of the value.
    
    H. Revision of General Requirements and Sterilization and Heating for 
    Immune Globulin (Human)
    
        Section 640.101(e)(3) and (e)(4) are deleted to be consistent with 
    current practice. The use of the current attenuated strain of measles 
    in the manufacture of measles vaccines licensed in the United States 
    results in products that do not require the concomitant administration 
    of measles antibodies. Moreover, the labeling for measles vaccines 
    contains appropriate precautions regarding the effect of Immune 
    Globulin (Human). With the availability of a highly effective vaccine, 
    passive prophylaxis for poliomyelitis with Immune Globulin (Human), 
    which had only minimal effectiveness, was discontinued many years ago.
        Section 640.101(f), samples and protocols, is deleted to be 
    consistent with current policy. Current policy permits manufacturers of 
    biological products, including plasma derivatives, to request exemption 
    from lot release by CBER. After review of the data submitted in support 
    of such a request, the Director, CBER, may grant the request, thus 
    decreasing the regulatory burden on the manufacturer and permitting 
    distribution of the product as soon as the manufacturer has completed 
    all necessary quality control procedures on a particular lot.
        Section 640.102(e), sterilization and heating, is clarified by 
    deleting ``* * * 30 to * * *.'' The effect of the regulation is 
    unchanged by this revision.
    
    I. Revision of Determination of Protein Composition of Final Product 
    for Immune Globulin (Human)
    
        Section 640.103(b) describes the protein composition of the Immune 
    Globulin (Human) final product in terms of absolute electrophoretic 
    mobility. This value was computed from measurements made by moving 
    boundary electrophoresis. For at least 25 years, the instrumentation 
    necessary for
    
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    performing moving boundary electrophoresis has not been commercially 
    available. Accordingly, as such equipment was becoming less available, 
    all licensed manufacturers of Immune Globulin (Human) calibrated more 
    modern methods against moving boundary electrophoresis and amended 
    their product license applications for Immune Globulin (Human) to 
    provide for the use of the more modern methods. In addition, using more 
    modern methods of manufacturing and measurement, manufacturers are now 
    routinely making a more highly purified product. Accordingly, FDA is 
    amending Sec. 640.103(b) to read ``At least 96 percent of the total 
    protein shall be immunoglobulin G (IgG), as determined by a method that 
    has been approved for each manufacturer by the Director, Center for 
    Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration.''
    
    J. Revision of Minimum Levels for Measles Neutralizing Antibody and 
    Poliomyelitis Neutralizing Antibody
    
        Section 640.104(b)(2) is revised, consistent with current accepted 
    practice, by eliminating a specified numerical value for the measles 
    neutralizing antibody level. This change allows more flexibility for 
    industry and FDA, in that the regulations will no longer become 
    outdated each time a new reference standard is used.
        Section 640.104(b)(3) is revised, consistent with current accepted 
    practice, by eliminating a specified numerical value for the 
    poliomyelitis neutralizing antibody level. This change allows more 
    flexibility for industry and FDA, in that the regulations will no 
    longer become outdated each time a new reference standard is used.
    
    K. Revision of Nomenclature for Reference Immune Globulin
    
        Section 640.104(c)(1) and (c)(2) are corrected by deleting the word 
    ``Serum'' to reflect the more precise nomenclature of ``Reference 
    Immune Globulin * * *.''
    
    IV. Rulemaking Action
    
         In the Federal Register of November 21, 1997 (62 FR 62466), FDA 
    described its procedures on when and how FDA will employ direct final 
    rulemaking. FDA believes that this rule is appropriate for direct final 
    rulemaking because FDA views this rule as including only 
    noncontroversial amendments and anticipates no significant adverse 
    comments. Consistent with FDA's procedures on direct final rulemaking, 
    FDA is publishing elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, a 
    companion proposed rule to amend the biologics regulations by removing, 
    revising, and updating existing regulations to be more consistent with 
    current accepted practices. The proposed rule serves the purpose of 
    issuing notice under the usual notice and comment procedures in the 
    event the direct final rule is withdrawn because of any significant 
    adverse comment.
        FDA has provided a comment period on the direct final rule of 75 
    days from May 14, 1999. If the agency receives any significant adverse 
    comment, FDA intends to withdraw this direct final rule action by 
    publication in the Federal Register within 30 days after the comment 
    period ends. A significant adverse comment is defined as a comment that 
    explains why the rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to 
    the rule's underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or 
    unacceptable without a change. In determining whether a significant 
    adverse comment is sufficient to terminate a direct final rulemaking, 
    FDA will consider whether the comment raises an issue serious enough to 
    warrant a substantive response in a notice-and-comment process. 
    Comments that are frivolous, insubstantial, or outside the scope of the 
    rule will not be considered significant or adverse under this 
    procedure. A comment recommending a rule change in addition to the rule 
    would not be considered a significant adverse comment, unless the 
    comment states why the rule would be ineffective without additional 
    change. In addition, if a significant adverse comment applies to an 
    amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and that provision can be 
    severed from the remainder of the rule, FDA may adopt as final those 
    provisions of the rule that are not subjects of significant adverse 
    comments.
        If FDA withdraws the direct final rule, any comments received will 
    be applied to the proposed rule and will be considered in developing a 
    final rule using the usual Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) 
    notice-and-comment procedures. If FDA receives no significant adverse 
    comments during the specified comment period, FDA intends to publish a 
    confirmation document within 30 days after the comment period ends, 
    confirming the effective date.
    
    V. Analysis of Impacts
    
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
    Act and Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    
        FDA has examined the impact of the direct final rule under 
    Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U. S. C. 601-
    612), and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4). 
    Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits 
    of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, 
    to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including 
    potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
    advantages; distributive impact; and equity). The agency believes that 
    this direct final rule is consistent with the regulatory philosophy and 
    principles identified in the Executive Order. This direct final rule is 
    not a significant regulatory action as defined by the Executive Order 
    and therefore is not subject to review under the Executive Order.
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze 
    regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule 
    on small business entities. Because the direct final rule amendments 
    have no compliance costs and do not result in any new requirements, the 
    Commissioner certifies that the direct final rule will not have a 
    significant negative economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities. Therefore, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, no further 
    analysis is required. This direct final rule also does not trigger the 
    requirement for a written statement under section 202(a) of the 
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 because it does not impose a 
    mandate that results in an expenditure of $100 million or more by 
    State, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by the 
    private sector in any 1 year.
    
    B. Environmental Impact
    
        The agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.31(j) that this action is 
    of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
    effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental 
    assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
    
    VI. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    
        This direct final rule contains no collections of information. 
    Therefore, clearance by the Office of Management and Budget under the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 is not required.
    
    VII. Request for Comments
    
        Interested persons may, on or before July 28, 1999, submit to the 
    Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding 
    this direct final rule. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, 
    except that
    
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    individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the 
    docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. 
    Received comments may be seen in the office above between 9 a.m. and 4 
    p.m., Monday through Friday.
    
    List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 640
    
        Blood, Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
        Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the 
    Public Health Service Act, and under authority delegated to the 
    Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part 640 is amended as follows:
    
    PART 640--ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR HUMAN BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS
    
        1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 640 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 351, 352, 353, 355, 360, 371; 42 
    U.S.C. 216, 262, 263, 263a, 264.
    
        2. Section 640.80 is amended by revising the last sentence in 
    paragraph (a) and by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.80   Albumin (Human).
    
        (a) * * * The product is defined as a sterile solution of the 
    albumin derived from human plasma.
        (b) Source material. The source material of Albumin (Human) shall 
    be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared as prescribed in 
    Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared as prescribed in 
    Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.
    * * * * *
        3. Section 640.81 is amended by revising the first sentence in 
    paragraph (c) and the last sentence in paragraph (e), and by revising 
    paragraph (f) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.81  Processing.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Microbial contamination. All processing steps shall be 
    conducted in a manner to minimize the risk of contamination from 
    microorganisms, pyrogens, or other impurities. * * *
    * * * * *
        (e) Heat treatment. * * * Heat treatment shall be conducted so that 
    the solution is heated continuously for not less than 10 or more than 
    11 hours at an attained temperature of 60#0.5 +C.
        (f) Stabilizer. Either 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium 
    caprylate, or 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium 
    acetyltryptophanate and 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium 
    caprylate per gram of protein shall be present as a stabilizer(s). 
    Calculations of the stabilizer concentration may employ the labeled 
    value for the protein concentration of the product as referred to in 
    Sec. 640.84(d).
    * * * * *
        4. Section 640.82 is amended by revising the headings in paragraphs 
    (a) and (c), and by revising paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.82   Tests on final product.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) Protein concentration.* * *
    * * * * *
        (c) pH. * * *
        (d) Sodium concentration. The sodium concentration of the final 
    product shall be 130 to 160 milliequivalents per liter.
        (e) Potassium concentration. The potassium concentration of the 
    final product shall not exceed 2 milliequivalents per liter.
    * * * * *
        5. Section 640.84 is amended by revising the introductory 
    paragraph, by removing paragraph (a) introductory text and paragraph 
    (b), by redesignating paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) as paragraphs 
    (a) through (d), respectively, and by revising newly redesignated 
    paragraphs (a) and (d) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 640.84  Labeling.
    
        In addition to the labeling requirements of Secs. 610.60, 610.61, 
    and 610.62 of this chapter, the container and package labels shall 
    contain the following information:
        (a) The osmotic equivalent in terms of plasma, and the sodium 
    concentration in terms of a value or a range in milliequivalents per 
    liter;
    * * * * *
        (d) The protein concentration, expressed as a 4 percent, 5 percent, 
    20 percent, or 25 percent solution.
        6. Section 640.90 is amended by revising the last sentence in 
    paragraph (a) and by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.90  Plasma Protein Fraction (Human).
    
        (a) * * * The product is defined as a sterile solution of protein 
    composed of albumin and globulin, derived from human plasma.
        (b) Source material. The source material of Plasma Protein Fraction 
    (Human) shall be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared as 
    prescribed in Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared as 
    prescribed in Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.
    * * * * *
        7. Section 640.91 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(2) and (f), 
    and by revising the first sentence in paragraph (c) and the last 
    sentence in paragraph (e) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.91  Processing.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (2) Contains less than 5 percent protein with a sedimentation 
    coefficient greater than 7.0 S.
        (c) Microbial contamination. All processing steps shall be 
    conducted in a manner to minimize the risk of contamination from 
    microorganisms, pyrogens, or other impurities. * * *
    * * * * *
        (e) * * * Heat treatment shall be conducted so that the solution is 
    heated continuously for not less than 10 or more than 11 hours at an 
    attained temperature of 60#0.5 +C.
        (f) Stabilizer. Either 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium 
    caprylate, or 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium 
    acetyltryptophanate and 0.08#0.016 millimole sodium 
    caprylate per gram of protein shall be present as a stabilizer(s). 
    Calculations of the stabilizer concentration may employ the labeled 
    value 5 percent for the protein concentration of the product.
    * * * * *
        8. Section 640.92 is amended by revising the headings of paragraphs 
    (a) and (c), and by revising paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.92   Tests on final product.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) Protein concentration. * * *
    * * * * *
        (c) pH. * * *
        (d) Sodium concentration. The sodium concentration of the final 
    product shall be 130 to 160 milliequivalents per liter.
        (e) Potassium concentration. The potassium concentration of the 
    final product shall not exceed 2 milliequivalents per liter.
    * * * * *
        9. Section 640.94 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
    follows:
    
    Sec. 640.94   Labeling.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) The osmotic equivalent in terms of plasma, and the sodium 
    concentration in terms of a value or a range in milliequivalents per 
    liter.
    * * * * *
        10. Section 640.100 is amended by revising the last sentence in 
    paragraph (a), and by revising paragraphs (b) and (c) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
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    Sec. 640.100  Immune Globulin (Human).
    
         (a) * * * The product is defined as a sterile solution containing 
    antibodies derived from human plasma.
        (b) Source material. The source material of Immune Globulin (Human) 
    shall be plasma recovered from Whole Blood prepared as prescribed in 
    Secs. 640.1 through 640.5, or Source Plasma prepared as prescribed in 
    Secs. 640.60 through 640.76.
         (c) Additives in source material. The source material shall 
    contain no additives other than citrate or acid citrate dextrose 
    anticoagulant solution, unless it is shown that the processing method 
    yields a product free of the additive to such an extent that the 
    safety, purity, and potency of the product will not be affected 
    adversely.
    
    
    Sec. 640.101   [Amended]
    
        11. Section 640.101 General requirements is amended by removing the 
    heading of paragraph (b) ``Hydrogen ion concentration'' and by adding 
    in its place ``pH'' and by removing paragraphs (e)(3), (e)(4), and (f).
        12. Section 640.102 is amended by revising the last sentence of 
    paragraph (e) to read as follows:
    
    
    640.102  Manufacture of Immune Globulin (Human).
    
    * * * * *
        (e) * * * At no time during processing shall the product be exposed 
    to temperatures above 45  deg.C and after sterilization the product 
    shall not be exposed to temperatures above 32  deg.C for more than 72 
    hours.
        13. Section 640.103 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as 
    follows:
    
    Sec. 640.103   The final product.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) Protein composition. At least 96 percent of the total protein 
    shall be immunoglobulin G (IgG), as determined by a method that has 
    been approved for each manufacturer by the Director, Center for 
    Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration.
        14. Section 640.104 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(2), 
    (b)(3), (c)(1), and (c)(2) to read as follows:
    
    Sec. 640.104   Potency.
    
    * * * * *
         (b) * * *
         (2) A measles neutralizing antibody level that, when compared with 
    that of a reference material designated by the Center for Biologics 
    Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, as 
    indicated in paragraph (c) of this section, demonstrates adequate 
    potency. The Director, CBER, shall notify manufacturers when a new 
    reference material will be used and will advise manufacturers of an 
    appropriate antibody level taking into account a comparison of the new 
    reference material to the previous reference material.
        (3) A poliomyelitis Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 neutralizing antibody 
    level that, when compared with that of a reference material designated 
    by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug 
    Administration, as indicated in paragraph (c) of this section, 
    demonstrates adequate potency. The Director, CBER, shall notify 
    manufacturers when a new reference material will be used and will 
    advise manufacturers of an appropriate antibody level taking into 
    account a comparison of the new reference material to the previous 
    reference material.
        (c) * * *
         (1) Reference Immune Globulin for correlation of measles antibody 
    titers.
         (2) Reference Immune Globulin for correlation of poliomyelitis 
    antibody titers, Types 1, 2, and 3.
    
        Dated: April 20, 1999.
    Jane E. Henney,
    Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
    Donna E. Shalala,
    Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    [FR Doc. 99-11897 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4160-01-F