02-10563. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

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 renewal of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on reporting and recordkeeping requirements for distribution and use of VFD drugs and animal feeds containing VFD drugs.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by July 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/​scripts/​oc/​dockets/​edockethome.cfm. Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Dockets Management Branch (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:

Denver Presley, Office of Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 16B-26, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-1472.

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, 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: (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.

Veterinary Feed Directive—21 CFR Part 558 (OMB Control No. 0910-0363)—Extension

Upon passage of the Animal Drug Availability Act, Congress enacted legislation establishing a new class of restricted feed use drugs called VFD, which can be distributed without involving State pharmacy laws. Although controls on the distribution and use of VFD drugs are similar to those for prescription drugs regulated under section 503(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 353), the implementing VFD regulation under 21 CFR 558.6 is tailored to the unique circumstances relating to the distribution of medicated feeds. The content of the VFD is spelled out in the regulation. All distributors of medicated feeds containing VFD drugs must notify FDA of their intent to distribute, and records must be maintained of the distribution of all medicated feeds containing VFD drugs. The VFD regulation ensures the protection of public health while enabling animal producers to obtain and use needed drugs as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. The respondents for VFD drugs are veterinarians, distributors of animal feeds containing VFD drugs, and clients utilizing medicated feeds containing VFD drugs.

FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:

Table 1.—Estimated Annual Reporting Burden¹

21 CFR Section	No. of Respondents	Annual Frequency per Response	Total Annual ­Responses	Hours per ­Response	Total Hours
558.6(a)(3) through (a)(5)	15,000	25	375,000	0.25	93,750
558.6(d)(1)(i) through (d)(1)(iii)	1,500	1	500	0.25	125
558.6 (d)(1)(iv)	20	1	20	0.25	5
558.6(d)(2)	1,000	5	5,000	0.25	1,250
514.1(b)(9)	1	1	1	3.00	3
Total					95,133
1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

Table 2.—Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden¹

21 CFR Section	No. of Recordkeepers	Annual Frequency per Recordkeeping	Total Annual Records	Hours per ­Recordkeeper	Total Hours
558.6(c)(1) through (c)(4)	112,500	10	1,125,000	.0167	18,788
558.6(e)(1) through (e)(3)	5,000	75	375,000	.0167	6,263
Total					25,051
1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

The estimate of the times required for record preparation and maintenance is based on agency communication with industry. Other information needed to calculate the total burden hours is derived from agency records and experience.

Dated: April 19, 2002.

Margaret M. Dotzel,

Associate Commissioner for Policy.