E7-13952. Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Premarket Notification Submissions for Medical Devices That Include Antimicrobial Agents; Availability

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of the draft guidance entitled “Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions for Medical Devices That Include Antimicrobial Agents.” This draft guidance is intended to assist device manufacturers interested in preparing premarket notification (510(k)) submissions for their medical devices that include antimicrobial agents. This guidance recommends testing and labeling for 510(k) submissions for devices that include antimicrobial agents. It is intended as a supplement to other device-specific guidance issued by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).

DATES:

Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the agency considers your comments on this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the guidance, submit written or electronic comments on the draft guidance by October 17, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidance document entitled “Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions for Medical Devices That Include Antimicrobial Agents” to the Division of Small Manufacturers, International, and Consumer Assistance (HFZ-220), Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your request, or fax your request to 240-276-3151. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for information on electronic access to the guidance.

Submit written comments concerning this draft guidance to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michelle Rios, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-480), Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 240-276-3747.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

In recent years there has been increased interest in adding antimicrobial agents to medical devices for specific or limited indications for use, such as reduction or prevention of a device-related infection, or reduction or inhibition of colonization of a medical device. FDA developed this draft guidance to assist device manufacturers in preparing premarket notification (510(k)) submissions for medical devices that include antimicrobial agents.

II. Significance of Guidance

This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when finalized will represent the agency's current thinking on “Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions for Medical Devices That Include Antimicrobial Agents.” It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statute and regulations.

III. Electronic Access

Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the draft guidance may do so by using the Internet. To receive “Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions for Medical Devices That Include Antimicrobial Agents,” you may either send an e-mail request to [e-mail] to receive an electronic copy of the document or send a fax request to 240-276-3151 to receive a hard copy. Please use the document number 1557 to identify the guidance you are requesting.

CDRH maintains an entry on the Internet for easy access to information including text, graphics, and files that may be downloaded to a personal computer with Internet access. Updated on a regular basis, the CDRH home page includes device safety alerts, Federal Register reprints, information on premarket submissions (including lists of approved applications and manufacturers' addresses), small manufacturer's assistance, information on video conferencing and electronic submissions, Mammography Matters, and other device-oriented information. The CDRH Web site may be accessed at http://www.fda.gov/​cdrh. A search capability for all CDRH guidance documents is available at http://www.fda.gov/​cdrh/​guidance.html. Guidance documents are also available on the Division of Dockets Management Internet site at http://www.fda.gov/​ohrms/​dockets.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

This draft guidance refers to previously approved collections of information found in FDA regulations. These collections of information are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The collections of information in 21 CFR part 807 have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0120; the collections of information in 21 CFR part 801 have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0485.

V. Comments

Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES), written or electronic comments regarding this document. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper 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 Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Dated: July 12, 2007.

Jeffrey Shuren,

Assistant Commissioner for Policy.