Drug Approval Standards

Cavazzoni, who led the drugs center four-and-a-half years, decided on her own to retire at this time, sources said. The decision may have been a preemptive move knowing her time as head of CDER would have been limited, or at the very least highly challenging, under the new administration.

Final rule’s requirement that ACNU formulations also remain available as Rx generics could limit revenues for marketers of the nonprescription drugs while approvals of ACNU applications from studies with participants having drugs delivered to their homes may require marketers to limit distribution to direct-to-consumer without clearance for sales in retail stores.

Study completed in 2024 showed consumers using an online application accurately self-selected and safely used an Rx statin drug. An “ACNU” switch NDA would have to first show conventional OTC labeling won’t support proper self-selection and use.

Agency’s proposal for targeting making more formulations available nonprescription through “novel switches” went through changes on its path from idea in 2012 to proposed rule in 2022 and final rule published in December.

FDA’s ‘ACNU’ rule went through numerous twists and turns from agency’s “new paradigm” idea of OTC switches in 2012 to publication.

FDA Office of Nonprescription Drugs explains in its proposed commitment letter for fiscal years 2026-2030, based in part on suggestions by stakeholders, that it will heighten its attention to collecting those fees.

Biovanta’s products relieved symptoms faster than OTC drugs available under FDA monograph, according to clinical trial by brand owner Applied Biological Laboratories. Chief scientific officer Nazlie Latefi said the results were “greatest decreases to date in overall illness severity using clinically validated measures and comparable study design.”

Latest regulatory goals update also includes April as target date for final rule on exemptions from IND clearance for clinical trials to evaluate food, dietary supplements or cosmetics and May for an NPRM would recognize N-acetyl-L-cysteine as a lawful dietary ingredient.

Martin Makary prides himself on following the data, but some health policy experts said his positions sometimes stray from or distort the evidence, which could create trust issues.