2019-00847. Determination That ESBRIET (Pirfenidone) Film Coated Tablets, 534 Milligrams, Was Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) has determined that ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 milligrams (mg), was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination will allow FDA to approve abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) for pirfenidone, film coated tablets, 534 mg, if all other legal and regulatory requirements are met.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Daniel Gottlieb, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6208, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-796-6650.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In 1984, Congress enacted the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-417) (the 1984 amendments), which authorized the approval of duplicate versions of drug products under an ANDA procedure. ANDA applicants must, with certain exceptions, show that the drug for which they are seeking approval contains the same active ingredient in the same strength and dosage form as the “listed drug,” which is a version of the drug that was previously approved. ANDA applicants do not have to repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain approval of a new drug application (NDA).

The 1984 amendments include what is now section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(j)(7)), which requires FDA to publish a list of all approved drugs. FDA publishes this list as part of the “Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” which is known generally as the “Orange Book.” Under FDA regulations, drugs are removed from the list if the Agency withdraws or suspends approval of the drug's NDA or ANDA for reasons of safety or effectiveness or if FDA determines that the listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness (21 CFR 314.162).

A person may petition the Agency to determine, or the Agency may determine on its own initiative, whether a listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination may be made at any time after the drug has been withdrawn from sale, but must be made prior to approving an ANDA that refers to the listed drug (§ 314.161 (21 CFR 314.161)). FDA may not approve an ANDA that does not refer to a listed drug.

ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 mg, is the subject of NDA 208780, held by Genentech, Inc., and initially approved on January 11, 2017. ESBRIET is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 mg, is currently listed in the “Discontinued Drug Product List” section of the Orange Book. Laurus Labs Ltd. submitted a citizen petition dated May 14, 2018 (Docket No. FDA-2018-P-1877), and Aziant Drug Research Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Submitted a citizen petition dated October 1, 2018 (FDA-2018-P-3730), under 21 CFR 10.30, requesting that the Agency determine whether ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 mg, was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

After considering the citizen petitions and reviewing Agency records and based on the information we have at this time, FDA has determined under § 314.161 that ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 mg, was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. The petitioners have identified no data or other information suggesting that this drug product was withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. We have carefully reviewed our files for records concerning the withdrawal of ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 mg, from sale. We have also independently evaluated relevant literature and data for possible postmarketing adverse events. We have found no information that would indicate that this drug product was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

Accordingly, the Agency will continue to list ESBRIET (pirfenidone), film coated tablets, 534 mg, in the “Discontinued Drug Product List” section of the Orange Book. The “Discontinued Drug Product List” delineates, among other items, drug products that have been discontinued from marketing for reasons other than safety or effectiveness. ANDAs that refer to this drug product, may be approved by the Agency as long as they meet all other legal and regulatory requirements for the approval of ANDAs. If FDA determines that labeling for this drug product should be revised to meet current standards, the Agency will advise ANDA applicants to submit such labeling.

Dated: January 17, 2019.

Leslie Kux,

Associate Commissioner for Policy.