Arnall Golden Gregory LLP's Food and Drug Newsletter is a monthly update of legal and regulatory issues that affect the FDA-regulated community, including regular updates on legislative initiatives from AGG’s Washington, DC office, and articles from members of AGG outside the Food and Drug Practice.

In this Issue

• Spelling Counts (Among Other Things): FDA Issues Warning Letters for Mistakes in Drug Listing
• All or Nothing at All: Brexit Update for Life Sciences Companies
• When FDA Says, “It Ain’t Good Enough” – Rare Litigation over Pediatric Exclusivity
• FDA Says Viewers Catch a Fleeting Glimpse; Can’t Hear What You’re Saying to Sponsor of Ad with Mismatched Audio and Visual Risk Information
• Not Another Brick in the Wall
• $387,200 Fine from HHS OCR for the Improper Disclosure of PHI to an Employer and an Volunteer Organization
• HHS OCR Resumes HIPAA Enforcement Action Announcements: Four New Settlements and Penalties Totaling More than $5 million in a One Month Period
• Industry Activities and Recognition

PHARMACEUTICALS

Spelling Counts (Among Other Things): FDA Issues Warning Letters for Mistakes in Drug Listing
By: Deborah L. Livornese and Alan G. Minsk
Recently, the Food and Drug Administration issued two Warning Letters to pharmaceutical companies for failing to fulfill product listing obligations for what appear to be oversights. In the first letter issued at the end of April, FDA said the lists of active ingredients in the product listing and in the product labeling did not match. The listing included an active ingredient not found in the product labeling, and the product labeling contained an active ingredient not found in the listing. The agency also noted and requested correction of a spelling error in one of the ingredients. In the second letter, issued June 1, FDA again found a discrepancy between the active ingredients in a product label and in the listing information. 
More >

All or Nothing at All: Brexit Update for Life Sciences Companies
By: Michael E. Burke 
A lot of ink has been spilled in projecting what Brexit (the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union) might look like, including in this space by this author. The simple fact is that we don’t know what Brexit will actually look like--especially after last week’s UK elections. However, we’re aware of some areas of concern that should be monitored by US life sciences companies. More >

When FDA Says, “It Ain’t Good Enough” – Rare Litigation over Pediatric Exclusivity 
By: Deborah L. Livornese and Kalie E. Richardson
Well, the other Boss, Bruce Springsteen, not FDA, used those words. When FDA said essentially the same thing less lyrically, but with better grammar, Amgen initiated a lawsuit on May 25, 2017, over an infrequently litigated piece of food and drug law: pediatric exclusivity. More >

FDA Says Viewers Catch a Fleeting Glimpse; Can’t Hear What You’re Saying to Sponsor of Ad with Mismatched Audio and Visual Risk Information
By: Deborah L. Livornese and Elizabeth A. Mulkey
Recently, FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) issued its first Untitled Letter of the year, citing a direct-to-consumer TV advertisement for a prescription weight- loss drug. According to OPDP, the ad made false or misleading representations about the risks associated with the drug, thus misbranding the product. Notably, the ad provided safety information about the drug, but the agency took issue with the way this information was presented. 
More >

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

AGG Life Sciences Partner Ranked in Chambers USA 2017 Guide to Outstanding Lawyers

Chambers, one of the leading ranking services for lawyers and law firms worldwide, recognized Alan G. Minsk in the Life Sciences, Regulatory and Compliance category. More > 

AGG Partner Presents Webinar on Brexit and Life Sciences Companies
On May 31, AGG Partner Michael E. Burke spoke on a webinar hosted by FDANews, entitled “Brexit and Life Sciences Companies,” discussing the potential impacts Brexit will have on life sciences companies. More >

AGG Partner to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The Daily Report has selected AGG attorney, William H. Kitchens, to receive a Lifetime Achievement award. Lifetime Achievement awards are given to lawyers who have had a lasting imprint on the legal community of Georgia. Mr. Kitchens will be recognized in special editorials sections in June as well as a Professional Excellence event on June 29, 2017. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Kitchens on this well-deserved honor. More > 

AGG Grows Food and Drug Practice Team’s Washington, DC Presence with the Addition of Former FDA Senior Regulatory Counsel

AGG is pleased to welcome Deborah “Deb” Livornese to its Food and Drug Practice Team. Ms. Livornese joins AGG’s Washington, DC office from FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research’s Office of Regulatory Policy. Prior to FDA, Ms. Livornese practiced in a food and drug boutique law firm in Washington. With more than 25 years of legal experience, Ms. Livornese advises on pharmaceutical, medical device, cosmetic and food-related legal and regulatory issues. More >