03-30643. Injectable or Implantable Dosage Form New Animal Drugs; Meloxicam

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of a new animal drug application (NADA) filed by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. The NADA provides for use of meloxicam injectable solution in dogs for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

DATES:

This rule is effective December 10, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melanie R. Berson, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-110), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 301-827-7540, e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., 2621 North Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO 64506-2002, filed NADA 141-219 that provides for use of METACAM (meloxicam) Injectable Solution in dogs for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The NADA is approved as of November 12, 2003, and the regulations are amended in part 522 (21 CFR part 522) by adding § 522.1367 to reflect the approval. The basis of approval is discussed in the freedom of information summary.

In accordance with the freedom of information provisions of 21 CFR part 20 and 21 CFR 514.11(e)(2)(ii), a summary of safety and effectiveness data and information submitted to support approval of this application may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Under section 512(c)(2)(F)(ii) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(c)(2)(F)(ii)), this approval qualifies for 3 years of marketing exclusivity beginning November 12, 2003.

The agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.33(d)(1) that this action is of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

This rule does not meet the definition of “rule” in 5 U.S.C. 804(3)(A) because it is a rule of “particular applicability.” Therefore, it is not subject to the congressional review requirements in 5 U.S.C. 801-808.

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 522

• Animal drugs

Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and redelegated to the Center for Veterinary Medicine, 21 CFR part 522 is amended as follows:

PART 522—IMPLANTATION OR INJECTABLE DOSAGE FORM NEW ANIMAL DRUGS

1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 522 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 360b.

2. Section 522.1367 is added to read as follows:

§ 522.1367

Meloxicam.

(a) Specifications. Each milliliter of solution contains 5.0 milligrams (mg) meloxicam.

(b) Sponsor. See No. 000010 in § 510.600(c) of this chapter.

(c) Conditions of use in dogs—(1) Amount. Administer 0.2 mg/kilogram (kg) body weight by intravenous or subcutaneous injection on the first day of treatment. For treatment after day 1, administer meloxicam suspension orally at 0.1 mg/kg body weight once daily as in § 520.1350(c) of this chapter.

(2) Indications for use. For the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

(3) Limitations. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Dated: November 21, 2003.

Stephen F. Sundlof,

Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine.