Notices. Notice
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/register/2003/01/17/03-1254·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 02N-0354] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; the Evaluation of Long-Term Antibiotic Drug Therapy for Persons Involved in Anthrax Remediation Activities AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Adminsitration
(FDA)is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the **Federal Register** concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the evaluation of long-term antibiotic drug therapy for persons involved in anthrax remediation activities. In the **Federal Register** of October 8, 2002 (67 FR 62727), FDA published a notice announcing the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) approval of this collection of information (OMB control number 0910-0494). Because this was an emergency approval that will expire on March 31, 2003, FDA in this notice is following the normal PRA clearance procedures by issuing this notice. DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by March 18, 2003. ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to *http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/edockethome.cfm* . Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Nelson, Officer of Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-1482. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of management and Budget
(OMB)for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of Information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CRF 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the **Federal Register** concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document. With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on:
(1)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2)the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology. The Evaluation of Long-Term Antibiotic Drug Therapy for Persons Involved in Anthrax Remediation Activities (OMB Control Number 0910-0494)—Extension Due to a terrorist event during the fall of 2001, approximately 1,200 decontamination workers were placed on long-term antibiotic therapy to protect them from environmental anthrax spores. Through the services of a contractor, the FDA is currently administering a survey to all 1,200 decontamination workers to collect important health information pertaining to long-term use of antibiotics. This information is critical to the agency's mission in protecting the public health, and failure of the FDA to adequately follow up on these workers will reduce the agency's ability to apply lessons learned from the current situation to provide guidance during future public health emergencies should they occur. This could result, not only, in the loss of time and dollars but also in the loss of life if patients stop taking their medicines because they think the drug therapy is responsible for a health problem when in fact it is not. This type of population is likely to never be available for assessment again until a future terrorist event occurs. It would be unacceptable for the FDA not to obtain drug experience information from this group to assist in any future public health response to a terrorist attack. FDA is requesting an extension of the OMB approval of a survey to help FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research evaluate the long-term antibiotic drug therapy in persons involved in anthrax remediation activities. The reason for the extension is to allow for more time to complete the survey, which has been delayed for two reasons. The first reason relates to the delays in cleaning up some of the contaminated sites. Primarily, the cleanup of the Brentwood Post Office in Washington, DC was delayed; this post office accounts for approximately 400 of the decontamination workers. The cleanup at Brentwood is almost complete, and it is anticipated that final medical examinations of the Brentwood cleanup workers can begin in earnest in the February/March 2003 timeframe. Once the final medical examination is completed, then Market Facts, the contractor hired to conduct the survey, can begin to administer the questionnaire to these workers. The second reason is the result of having to obtain authorization from approximately 35 subcontractor firms (who employed the decontamination workers) to release contact information on the remediation workers. To date, only contact information for approximately 300 workers has been released, and further efforts are on going to obtain permission to release the remaining information. The medical service subcontractor is working diligently to obtain the necessary authorizations. FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: **Table 1.—Estimated Annual Reporting Burden** 1 Type of Survey No. of Respondents Annual Frequency /Response Total Annual Responses Hours per Response Total Hours Telephone 1,200 1 1,200 .25 300 Total 300 1 There is no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. The estimated annual reporting burden is based on the Centers for Disease Control's administration, in 2001 and 2002, of a similar questionnaire to individuals who were exposed to anthrax spores dispersed during a terrorist event. Dated: January 15, 2003. Margaret M. Dotzel, Assistant Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 03-1254 Filed 1-16-03; 3:44 pm]
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- 44 USC 3501-3520
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