Sponsors interested in pursuing innovative Rx-to-OTC switches should open a dialogue with FDA now, rather than wait until the agency further develops its nascent new paradigm for expanding the availability of nonprescription drugs, an FDA official said.
FDA Encourages Novel Switch Ideas, Though NSURE Remains Unsure
Rx-to-OTC switch sponsors should not wait for FDA to act on NSURE before proposing innovative switch solutions, because reviewers are open to discussing ideas now, an agency official says. Some experts predict the new switch paradigm will not yield concrete regulatory changes, and are promoting other ways to expand OTC access.
More from United States
Organizational turmoil has not yet affected reviews of novel agent applications, with Q1 2025 approvals coming in low, but the first quarter share of the entire year is variable.
Most, if not all, adcomm support staff in the drug and biologic centers who handled meeting-specific tasks have been laid off, although sponsors still are preparing for the public reviews. Meanwhile, some cut FDA employees are being called back to work for "continuity of operations activities."
Product reviews for drugs, biologics, devices, tobacco and foods could be consolidated into one office at the FDA, as part of a restructuring plan circulating that was obtained by Pink Sheet.
Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss how the massive layoffs will reshape the FDA and its impact on the drug and biologics industries.