2010-30570. Determination That GLEEVEC (Imatinib Mesylate) Capsules, 50 Milligrams and 100 Milligrams, Were Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 milligrams (mg) and 100 mg, were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination will allow FDA to approve abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) for imatinib mesylate capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, if all other legal and regulatory requirements are met.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rochelle Chodock Fink, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 6236, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-796-0838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In 1984, Congress enacted the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-417) (the 1984 amendments), which authorized the approval of duplicate versions of drug products approved under an ANDA procedure. ANDA applicants must, with certain exceptions, show that the drug for which they are seeking approval contains the same active ingredient in the same strength and dosage form as the “listed drug,” which is a version of the drug that was previously approved. ANDA applicants do not have to repeat the extensive clinical testing otherwise necessary to gain approval of a new drug application (NDA). The only clinical data required in an ANDA are data to show that the drug that is the subject of the ANDA is bioequivalent to the listed drug.

The 1984 amendments include what is now section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(j)(7)), which requires FDA to publish a list of all approved drugs. FDA publishes this list as part of the “Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” which is known generally as the “Orange Book.” Under FDA regulations, drugs are removed from the list if the Agency withdraws or suspends approval of the drug's NDA or ANDA for reasons of safety or effectiveness or if FDA determines that the listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness (21 CFR 314.162). Under § 314.161(a)(1) (21 CFR 314.161(a)(1)), the Agency must determine whether a listed drug was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness before an ANDA that refers to that listed drug may be approved. FDA may not approve an ANDA that does not refer to a listed drug.

GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, are the subject of NDA 21-335, held by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp., and initially approved on May 10, 2001. GLEEVEC is a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of a variety of malignancies, including Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases, aggressive systemic mastocytosis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. FDA has moved GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, to the “Discontinued Drug Product List” section of the Orange Book.

Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, PC, submitted a citizen petition dated June 3, 2010 (Docket No. FDA-2010-P-0275), under 21 CFR 10.30, requesting that the Agency determine whether GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, were withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

After considering the citizen petition and reviewing Agency records, FDA has determined under § 314.161 that GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg were not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. The petitioner has identified no data or other information suggesting that GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, were withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. We have carefully reviewed our files for records concerning the withdrawal of GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, from sale. We have also independently evaluated relevant literature and data for possible postmarketing adverse events and have found no information that would indicate that these products were withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.

Accordingly, the Agency will continue to list GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, in the “Discontinued Drug Product List” section of the Orange Book. The “Discontinued Drug Product List” delineates, among other items, drug products that have been discontinued from marketing for reasons other than safety or effectiveness. ANDAs that refer to GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) Capsules, 50 mg and 100 mg, may be approved by the Agency as long as they meet all other legal and regulatory requirements for the approval of ANDAs. If FDA determines that labeling for these drug products should be revised to meet current standards, the Agency will advise ANDA applicants to submit such labeling.

Dated: December 1, 2010.

Leslie Kux,

Acting Assistant Commissioner for Policy.