The system that regulates most OTC medicines, the OTC Monograph System, was established in 1972. Although the system worked well for many decades, over the years it ground to a halt, making it difficult for FDA to update product labels with new safety information based on new science and data while also preventing the development of innovative products to meet consumer needs. On March 27, 2020, Congress included landmark legislation to reform the OTC Monograph system in the COVID-19 response bill, the CARES Act. OTC Monograph reform is a long-sought goal of CHPA, and has had broad stakeholder, FDA, and bipartisan/bicameral support.
CHPA member companies are undertaking an unprecedented effort to collectively help update the U.S. Pharmacopeia’s (USP) National Formulary (NF) monographs. The combined FDA/USP/CHPA Planning Committee is working on modernizing USP-NF monographs for small molecules and excipients to ensure all:
Utilize current technology;
Incorporate safety advancements; and
Address key quality aspects, such as impurities thresholds.
As part of USP's initiative to update and improve its monographs for drug substances and products in the USP–NF compendia, USP is focusing on monographs identified as a priority by FDA.
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Modern Regulation for Today's Marketplace
Recognizing the dire need for reform, FDA, public health stakeholders, and industry came together to drive historic change. As a champion and vocal advocate for OTC Monograph reform, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) strongly supported the bipartisan legislation — the Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act — that overhauled the system and will affect Americans for generations to come.
CHPA looks forward to working closely with FDA and other key stakeholders throughout the OMUFA reauthorization process as we work together to ensure the continued success of FDA’s OTC monograph program.
CHPA tracks FDA progress vs. OMUFA goals and activities referenced in legislation. These goals were negotiated between the Agency and Industry prior to the legislation and cover the 5-year period for OMUFA I (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2025).
Comments regarding Citizen Petition from Greenberg Traurig requesting that FDA issue the administrative order for OTC external analgesics, and that FDA confirm and clarify for which specific indications OTC external analgesic drug products in patch/plaster/poultice dosage forms are generally recognized as safe and effective.
House and Senate negotiators are at odds over how to move forward with the FDA user fee reauthorization now that Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member, Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is pushing a significantly pared-down version of the user fee reauthorization bill.
Now that the House of Representatives and the Senate HELP Committee have passed their respective FDA user fee bills, House and Senate negotiators have been working to conference and reconcile differences in both bills.
While this week both the House and Senate are on recess, last week the Senate HELP Committee began the process of meeting to discuss and ultimately pass the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA).
