96-18437. Drug Labeling; Sodium Labeling for Over-the-Counter Drugs; Extension of Comment Period  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 38046]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-18437]
    
    
    
    [[Page 38045]]
    
    
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    Part VIII
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Health and Human Services
    
    
    
    
    
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    Food and Drug Administration
    
    
    
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    21 CFR Parts 201 and 331
    
    
    
    Drug Labeling; Sodium Labelling for Over-the-Counter Drugs; and 
    Labelling of Orally Ingested Over-the-Counter Drug Products Containing 
    Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium; Extension of Comment Periods; Final 
    and Proposed Rules
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 141 / Monday, July 22, 1996 / Rules 
    and Regulations
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    [[Page 38046]]
    
    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Food and Drug Administration
    
    21 CFR Parts 201 and 331
    
    [Docket No. 90N-0309]
    RIN 0910-AA63
    
    
    Drug Labeling; Sodium Labeling for Over-the-Counter Drugs; 
    Extension of Comment Period
    
    AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
    
    ACTION: Final rule; extension of comment period.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to 
    September 20, 1996, the period for comments on amending the final rule 
    for sodium labeling for over-the-counter (OTC) drug products that was 
    published in the Federal Register of April 22, 1996. In the document, 
    FDA asked for comments on whether the final rule should be amended to 
    include sodium content labeling for OTC rectal laxative, vaginal, 
    dentifrice, mouthwash, and mouth rinse drug products. FDA is taking 
    this action in response to a request to extend the period for comments 
    to allow interested persons additional time to comment on this matter.
    DATES: Written comments by September 20, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch 
    (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, 
    Rockville, MD 20857.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William E. Gilbertson, Center for Drug 
    Evaluation and Research (HFD-105), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 
    Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-2304.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of April 22, 1996 
    (61 FR 17798), FDA issued a final rule on sodium labeling for OTC drug 
    products with opportunity for comments on whether the final rule should 
    be amended to include sodium content labeling for OTC rectal laxative, 
    vaginal, dentifrice, mouthwash, and mouth rinse drug products. 
    Interested persons were given until July 22, 1996, to submit comments 
    on labeling for those products. The final rule amends the general 
    labeling provisions for OTC drug products to: (1) Require that the 
    sodium content of all OTC drug products intended for oral ingestion be 
    included in labeling when the product contains 5 milligrams (mg) or 
    more sodium per a single dose; (2) require that all OTC drug products 
    intended for oral ingestion containing more than 140 mg sodium in the 
    labeled maximum daily dose bear a general warning that persons who are 
    on a sodium-restricted diet should not take the product unless directed 
    by a doctor; and (3) provide for the voluntary use of certain terms 
    (``sodium free,'' ``very low sodium,'' and ``low sodium'') relating to 
    an OTC drug product's sodium content per labeled maximum daily dose. 
    FDA issued the final rule in order to provide uniform sodium content 
    labeling for all OTC drug products intended for oral ingestion (whether 
    marketed under an OTC drug monograph, an approved application, or no 
    application), and to provide for the voluntary use in OTC drug product 
    labeling of the same terms used to describe sodium content in food 
    labeling.
        On June 18, 1996, Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association 
    (NDMA), a trade association of nonprescription drug manufacturers, 
    requested a 60-day extension to file comments and new information. NDMA 
    stated that to fully address the issue of sodium labeling for OTC 
    rectal laxative, vaginal, dentifrice, mouthwash, and mouth rinse drug 
    products, its members needed this additional time because six different 
    task groups needed to look at these drug classes in coordination with 
    task groups from the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. NDMA 
    also raised a number of questions on the final rule, which FDA has 
    answered in a recent feedback letter (Ref. 1).
        FDA has carefully considered the request and acknowledges the broad 
    scope of the proposal. The agency considers an extension of time for 
    comments to be in the public interest. This will allow all interested 
    persons additional time to evaluate whether products other than those 
    intended for oral ingestion should be covered by the sodium labeling 
    regulation. The agency is therefore extending the time for comment for 
    an additional 60 days.
        -Interested persons may, on or before September 20, 1996, submit to 
    the Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments 
    regarding sodium labeling for OTC rectal laxative, vaginal, dentifrice, 
    mouthwash, and mouth rinse drug products. Three copies of any comments 
    are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one 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 
    office above between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    
    Reference
    
        The following reference has been placed on display in the Dockets 
    Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 
    Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857, and may be seen by 
    interested persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
        (1) Letter from D. Bowen, FDA, to R. W. Soller, NDMA, July 15, 
    1996, in Docket No. 90N-0309 Dockets Management Branch.
    
        Dated: July 15, 1996.
    William K. Hubbard,
    Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
    [FR Doc. 96-18437 Filed 7-19-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/22/1996
Department:
Food and Drug Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; extension of comment period.
Document Number:
96-18437
Dates:
Written comments by September 20, 1996.
Pages:
38046-38046 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 90N-0309
RINs:
0910-AA63: OTC Drug Labeling Review
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0910-AA63/otc-drug-labeling-review
PDF File:
96-18437.pdf
CFR: (2)
21 CFR 201
21 CFR 331