E7-5505. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Focus Groups as Used by the Food and Drug Administration

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on focus groups as used by FDA to gauge public opinion.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by May 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: http://www.fda.gov/​dockets/​ecomments. Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jonna Capezzuto, Office of the Chief Information Officer (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-4659.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.

With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Focus Groups as Used by FDA (OMB Control Number 0910-0497)—Extension

Focus groups provide an important role in gathering information because they allow for a more in-depth understanding of consumers' attitudes, beliefs, motivations, and feelings than do quantitative studies. Focus groups serve the narrowly defined need for direct and informal opinion on a specific topic and as a qualitative research tool have three major purposes:

• To obtain consumer information that is useful for developing variables and measures for quantitative studies,
• To better understand consumers' attitudes and emotions in response to topics and concepts, and
• To further explore findings obtained from quantitative studies.

FDA will use focus group findings to test and refine their ideas, but will generally conduct further research before making important decisions such as adopting new policies and allocating or redirecting significant resources to support these policies.

FDA estimates the burden for completing the forms for this collection of information as follows:

Table 1.—Estimated Annual Reporting Burden¹

FDA Center	Subject	No. of Focus Groups per Study	No. of Focus Groups Sessions Conducted Annually	No. of Participants per Group	Hours of Duration for Each Group (Includes Screening)	Total Hours
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research	May use focus groups when appropriate	1	5	9	1.58	71
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research	Varies (e.g., direct-to-consumer Rx drug promotion, physician labeling of Rx drugs, medication guides, over-the-counter drug labeling, risk communication)	10	200	9	1.58	2,844
Center for Devices and Radiological Health	Varies (e.g., FDA Seal of Approval, patient labeling, tampons, online sales of medical products, latex gloves)	4	16	9	2.08	300
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition	Varies (e.g., food safety, nutrition, dietary supplements, and consumer education)	8	40	9	1.58	569
Center for Veterinary Medicine	Varies (e.g., animal nutrition, supplements, labeling of animal Rx)	5	25	9	2.08	468
Total		28	286	9	1.78	4,252
1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

Annually, FDA projects about 28 focus group studies using 186 focus groups lasting an average of 1.78 hours each. FDA has allowed burden for unplanned focus groups to be completed so as not to restrict the agency's ability to gather information on public sentiment for its proposals in its regulatory as well as other programs.

Dated: March 16, 2007.

Jeffrey Shuren,

Assistant Commissioner for Policy.