FDA's Great(er) Expectations: Avoiding a Refuse-to-File in a New Review Environment

Each year, FDA rejects just a handful of new drug and biologics applications that aren’t quite complete enough for review. Now the agency’s revamped review process is forcing its staff to take a closer, earlier look at new submissions. Merck’s Zetia/Lipitor "refuse to file" letter is a case in point. Unless things improve, Office of New Drugs Director John Jenkins says, industry can expect more early rejections from FDA.