2018-27951. Ranjan Bhandari: Debarment Order

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) debarring Ranjan Bhandari, MD (Dr. Bhandari), for a period of 3 years from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application. FDA bases this order on a finding that Dr. Bhandari was convicted of a misdemeanor under the FD&C Act for causing the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of prescription drugs that were misbranded. In addition, FDA has determined that the type of conduct that served as the basis for the conviction undermines the process for the regulation of drugs. Dr. Bhandari was given notice of the proposed debarment and an opportunity to request a hearing within the timeframe prescribed by regulation. Dr. Bhandari failed to request a hearing. Dr. Bhandari's failure to request a hearing constitutes a waiver of his right to a hearing concerning this action.

DATES:

This order is effective December 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Submit applications for termination of debarment to the Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kenny Shade (ELEM-4144), Division of Enforcement, Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20857, 301-796-4640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 306(b)(2)(B)(i)(I) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 335a(b)(2)(B)(i)(I)) permits debarment of an individual if FDA finds that the individual has been convicted of a misdemeanor under Federal law for conduct relating to the regulation of drug products under the FD&C Act, and if FDA finds that the type of conduct that served as the basis for the conviction undermines the process for the regulation of drugs.

On December 9, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, judgment was entered against Dr. Bhandari after he entered a plea of guilty to one count of misbranding in violation of section 301(a) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 331(a)), which is a misdemeanor offense under section 303(a)(1) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 333(a)(1)). FDA's finding that debarment is appropriate is based on the misdemeanor conviction referenced herein. The factual basis for this conviction is as follows: Between June 1, 2006, and March 31, 2008, Dr. Bhandari was a physician (oncologist) in Ohio. During this time, Dr. Bhandari purchased and received oncology drugs, including ZOMETA, IRINOTECAN, ELOXATIN, GEMZAR, HYCAMTIN, ARANESP, and TAXOTERE, from a drug distributor located in Canada. These new drugs originated outside the United States and were not approved by FDA for introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce in the United States. Thus, Dr. Bhandari caused the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of prescription drugs that were misbranded for lacking adequate directions for use in their labeling.

As a result of this conviction, on August 29, 2018, FDA sent Dr. Bhandari a notice by certified mail proposing to debar him for 3 years from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application. The proposal was based on a finding under section 306(b)(2)(B)(i)(I) of the FD&C Act, that Dr. Bhandari was convicted of a misdemeanor under Federal law for conduct relating to the regulation of drug products under the FD&C Act, and that the type of conduct that served as the basis for the conviction undermines the process for the regulation of drugs.

The proposal offered Dr. Bhandari an opportunity to request a hearing, provided him 30 days from the date of receipt of the letter in which to file the request, and advised him that failure to request a hearing constituted a waiver of the opportunity for a hearing and of any contentions concerning this action. Dr. Bhandari received the proposal on September 4, 2018. Dr. Bhandari did not request a hearing within the timeframe prescribed by regulation and, therefore, has waived his opportunity for a hearing and has waived any contentions concerning his debarment (21 CFR part 12).

II. Findings and Order

Therefore, the Director, Office of Enforcement and Import Operations, Office of Regulatory Affairs, under section 306(b)(2)(B)(i)(I) of the FD&C Act, under authority delegated to the Director (Staff Manual Guide 1410.35), finds that Dr. Bhandari has been convicted of a misdemeanor under Federal law for conduct relating to the regulation of drug products under the FD&C Act, and that the type of conduct that served as the basis for the conviction undermines the process for the regulation of drugs.

As a result of the foregoing findings and in consideration of the factors described in section 306(c)(3) of the FD&C Act, Dr. Bhandari is debarred for a period of 3 years from providing services in any capacity to a person with an approved or pending drug product application under sections 505, 512, or 802 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 355, 360b, or 382), or under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262), effective (see DATES) (see sections 306(c)(1)(B), (c)(3), and 201(dd) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 335a(c)(1)(B), (c)(3), and 321(dd))). Any person with an approved or pending drug product application who knowingly employs or retains as a consultant or contractor, or otherwise uses the services of Dr. Bhandari, in any capacity during his debarment, will be subject to civil money penalties (section 307(a)(6) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 335b(a)(6)). If Dr. Bhandari provides services in any capacity to a person with an approved or pending drug product application during his period of debarment he will be subject to civil money penalties (section 307(a)(7) of the FD&C Act).

In addition, FDA will not accept or review any abbreviated new drug applications submitted by or with the assistance of Dr. Bhandari during his period of debarment (section 306(c)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act).

Any application by Dr. Bhandari for termination of debarment under section 306(d)(1) of the FD&C Act should be identified with Docket No. FDA-2018-N-1989 and sent to the Dockets Management Staff (see ADDRESSES). All such submissions are to be filed in four copies. The public availability of information in these submissions is governed by 21 CFR 10.20(j).

Publicly available submissions will be placed in the docket and will be viewable at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Dockets Management Staff (see ADDRESSES) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Dated: December 19, 2018.

Leslie Kux,

Associate Commissioner for Policy.