Authorization for medical products for use in emergencies
21 U.S.C. § 360bbb–3
in effect(a) In general(1) Emergency usesNotwithstanding any provision of this chapter and section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262], and subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary may authorize the introduction into interstate commerce, during the effective period of a declaration under subsection (b), of a drug, device, or biological product intended for use in an actual or potential emergency (referred to in this section as an “emergency use”). (2) Approval status of productAn authorization under paragraph (1) may authorize an emergency use of a product that—(A) is not approved, licensed, or cleared for commercial distribution under section 355, 360(k), 360b, or 360e of this title or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262] or conditionally approved under section 360ccc of this title (referred to in this section as an “unapproved product”); or (B) is approved, conditionally approved under section 360ccc of this title, licensed, or cleared under such a provision, but which use is not under such provision an approved, conditionally approved under section 360ccc of this title, licensed, or cleared use of the product (referred to in this section as an “unapproved use of an approved product”). (3) Relation to other usesAn emergency use authorized under paragraph (1) for a product is in addition to any other use that is authorized for the product under a section of this chapter or the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.] referred to in paragraph (2)(A). (4) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(A) The term “biological product” has the meaning given such term in section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262]. (B) The term “emergency use” has the meaning indicated for such term in paragraph (1). (C) The term “product” means a drug, device, or biological product. (D) The term “unapproved product” has the meaning indicated for such term in paragraph (2)(A). (E) The term “unapproved use of an approved product” has the meaning indicated for such term in paragraph (2)(B).
(b) Declaration of emergency or threat justifying emergency authorized use(1) In generalThe Secretary may make a declaration that the circumstances exist justifying the authorization under this subsection for a product on the basis of—(A) a determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security that there is a domestic emergency, or a significant potential for a domestic emergency, involving a heightened risk of attack with a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent or agents; (B) a determination by the Secretary of Defense that there is a military emergency, or a significant potential for a military emergency, involving a heightened risk to United States military forces, including personnel operating under the authority of title 10 or title 50, of attack with—(i) a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent or agents; or (ii) an agent or agents that may cause, or are otherwise associated with, an imminently life-threatening and specific risk to United States military forces; (C) a determination by the Secretary that there is a public health emergency, or a significant potential for a public health emergency, that affects, or has a significant potential to affect, national security or the health and security of United States citizens living abroad, and that involves a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent or agents, or a disease or condition that may be attributable to such agent or agents; or (D) the identification of a material threat pursuant to section 319F–2 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247d–6b] sufficient to affect national security or the health and security of United States citizens living abroad. (2) Termination of declaration(A) In generalA declaration under this subsection shall terminate upon the earlier of—(i) a determination by the Secretary, in consultation as appropriate with the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of Defense, that the circumstances described in paragraph (1) have ceased to exist; or (ii) a change in the approval status of the product such that the circumstances described in subsection (a)(2) have ceased to exist. (B) Disposition of productIf an authorization under this section with respect to an unapproved product ceases to be effective as a result of a termination under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall consult with the manufacturer of such product with respect to the appropriate disposition of the product. (3) Advance notice of terminationThe Secretary shall provide advance notice that a declaration under this subsection will be terminated. The period of advance notice shall be a period reasonably determined to provide—(A) in the case of an unapproved product, a sufficient period for disposition of the product, including the return of such product (except such quantities of product as are necessary to provide for continued use consistent with subsection (f)(2)) to the manufacturer (in the case of a manufacturer that chooses to have such product returned); and (B) in the case of an unapproved use of an approved product, a sufficient period for the disposition of any labeling, or any information under subsection (e)(2)(B)(ii), as the case may be, that was provided with respect to the emergency use involved. (4) PublicationThe Secretary shall promptly publish in the Federal Register each declaration, determination, and advance notice of termination under this subsection. (5) Explanation by SecretaryIf an authorization under this section with respect to an unapproved product or an unapproved use of an approved product has been in effect for more than 1 year, the Secretary shall provide in writing to the sponsor of such product an explanation of the scientific, regulatory, or other obstacles to approval, licensure, or clearance of such product or use, including specific actions to be taken by the Secretary and the sponsor to overcome such obstacles. (6) Military emergenciesIn the case of a determination described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall determine, within 45 calendar days of such determination, whether to make a declaration under paragraph (1), and, if appropriate, shall promptly make such a declaration.
(c) Criteria for issuance of authorizationThe Secretary may issue an authorization under this section with respect to the emergency use of a product only if, after consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (to the extent feasible and appropriate given the applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1)), the Secretary concludes—(1) that an agent referred to in a declaration under subsection (b) can cause a serious or life-threatening disease or condition; (2) that, based on the totality of scientific evidence available to the Secretary, including data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials, if available, it is reasonable to believe that—(A) the product may be effective in diagnosing, treating, or preventing—(i) such disease or condition; or (ii) a serious or life-threatening disease or condition caused by a product authorized under this section, approved or cleared under this chapter, or licensed under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262], for diagnosing, treating, or preventing such a disease or condition caused by such an agent; and (B) the known and potential benefits of the product, when used to diagnose, prevent, or treat such disease or condition, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product, taking into consideration the material threat posed by the agent or agents identified in a declaration under subsection (b)(1)(D), if applicable; (3) that there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the product for diagnosing, preventing, or treating such disease or condition; (4) in the case of a determination described in subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii), that the request for emergency use is made by the Secretary of Defense; and (5) that such other criteria as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe are satisfied.
(d) Scope of authorizationAn authorization of a product under this section shall state—(1) each disease or condition that the product may be used to diagnose, prevent, or treat within the scope of the authorization; (2) the Secretary’s conclusions, made under subsection (c)(2)(B), that the known and potential benefits of the product, when used to diagnose, prevent, or treat such disease or condition, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product; and (3) the Secretary’s conclusions, made under subsection (c), concerning the safety and potential effectiveness of the product in diagnosing, preventing, or treating such diseases or conditions, including, to the extent practicable given the circumstances of the emergency, an assessment of the available scientific evidence.
(e) Conditions of authorization(1) Unapproved product(A) Required conditionsWith respect to the emergency use of an unapproved product, the Secretary, to the extent practicable given the applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1), shall, for a person who carries out any activity for which the authorization is issued, establish such conditions on an authorization under this section as the Secretary finds necessary or appropriate to protect the public health, including the following:(i) Appropriate conditions designed to ensure that health care professionals administering the product are informed—(I) that the Secretary has authorized the emergency use of the product; (II) of the significant known and potential benefits and risks of the emergency use of the product, and of the extent to which such benefits and risks are unknown; and (III) of the alternatives to the product that are available, and of their benefits and risks. (ii) Appropriate conditions designed to ensure that individuals to whom the product is administered are informed—(I) that the Secretary has authorized the emergency use of the product; (II) of the significant known and potential benefits and risks of such use, and of the extent to which such benefits and risks are unknown; and (III) of the option to accept or refuse administration of the product, of the consequences, if any, of refusing administration of the product, and of the alternatives to the product that are available and of their benefits and risks. (iii) Appropriate conditions for the monitoring and reporting of adverse events associated with the emergency use of the product. (iv) For manufacturers of the product, appropriate conditions concerning recordkeeping and reporting, including records access by the Secretary, with respect to the emergency use of the product. (B) Authority for additional conditionsWith respect to the emergency use of an unapproved product, the Secretary may, for a person who carries out any activity for which the authorization is issued, establish such conditions on an authorization under this section as the Secretary finds necessary or appropriate to protect the public health, including the following:(i) Appropriate conditions on which entities may distribute the product with respect to the emergency use of the product (including limitation to distribution by government entities), and on how distribution is to be performed. (ii) Appropriate conditions on who may administer the product with respect to the emergency use of the product, and on the categories of individuals to whom, and the circumstances under which, the product may be administered with respect to such use. (iii) Appropriate conditions with respect to collection and analysis of information concerning the safety and effectiveness of the product with respect to the use of such product during the period when the authorization is in effect and a reasonable time following such period. (iv) For persons other than manufacturers of the product, appropriate conditions concerning recordkeeping and reporting, including records access by the Secretary, with respect to the emergency use of the product. (2) Unapproved useWith respect to the emergency use of a product that is an unapproved use of an approved product:(A) For a person who carries out any activity for which the authorization is issued, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable given the applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1), establish conditions described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A), and may establish conditions described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of such paragraph or in paragraph (1)(B). (B)(i) If the authorization under this section regarding the emergency use authorizes a change in the labeling of the product, but the manufacturer of the product chooses not to make such change, such authorization may not authorize distributors of the product or any other person to alter or obscure the labeling provided by the manufacturer, except as provided in section 360bbb–3a of this title with respect to authorized changes to the product expiration date. (ii) In the circumstances described in clause (i), for a person who does not manufacture the product and who chooses to act under this clause, an authorization under this section regarding the emergency use shall, to the extent practicable given the circumstances of the emergency, authorize such person to provide appropriate information with respect to such product in addition to the labeling provided by the manufacturer, subject to compliance with clause (i). While the authorization under this section is effective, such additional information shall not be considered labeling for purposes of section 352 of this title. (C) In establishing conditions under this paragraph with respect to the distribution and administration of the product for the unapproved use, the Secretary shall not impose conditions that would restrict distribution or administration of the product when distributed or administered for the approved use. (3) Good manufacturing practice; prescriptionWith respect to the emergency use of a product for which an authorization under this section is issued (whether an unapproved product or an unapproved use of an approved product), the Secretary may waive or limit, to the extent appropriate given the applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1)—(A) requirements regarding current good manufacturing practice otherwise applicable to the manufacture, processing, packing, or holding of products subject to regulation under this chapter, including such requirements established under section 351 or 360j(f)(1) of this title, and including relevant conditions prescribed with respect to the product by an order under section 360j(f)(2) of this title; (B) requirements established under subsection (b) or (f) of section 353 of this title or under section 354 of this title; and (C) requirements established under section 360j(e) of this title. (4) AdvertisingThe Secretary may establish conditions on advertisements and other promotional descriptive printed matter that relate to the emergency use of a product for which an authorization under this section is issued (whether an unapproved product or an unapproved use of an approved product), including, as appropriate—(A) with respect to drugs and biological products, requirements applicable to prescription drugs pursuant to section 352(n) of this title; or (B) with respect to devices, requirements applicable to restricted devices pursuant to section 352(r) of this title.
(f) Duration of authorization(1) In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), an authorization under this section shall be effective until the earlier of the termination of the declaration under subsection (b) or a revocation under subsection (g). (2) Continued use after end of effective periodNotwithstanding the termination of the declaration under subsection (b) or a revocation under subsection (g), an authorization shall continue to be effective to provide for continued use of an unapproved product with respect to a patient to whom, or an animal to which, it was administered during the period described by paragraph (1), to the extent found necessary by such patient’s attending physician or by the veterinarian caring for such animal, as applicable.
(g) Review and revocation of authorization(1) ReviewThe Secretary shall periodically review the circumstances and the appropriateness of an authorization under this section. As part of such review, the Secretary shall regularly review the progress made with respect to the approval, conditional approval under section 360ccc of this title, licensure, or clearance of—(A) an unapproved product for which an authorization was issued under this section; or (B) an unapproved use of an approved product for which an authorization was issued under this section. (2) Revision and revocationThe Secretary may revise or revoke an authorization under this section if—(A) the circumstances described under subsection (b)(1) no longer exist; (B) the criteria under subsection (c) for issuance of such authorization are no longer met; or (C) other circumstances make such revision or revocation appropriate to protect the public health or safety.
(h) Publication; confidential information(1) PublicationThe Secretary shall promptly publish on the internet website of the Food and Drug Administration and in the Federal Register a notice of each authorization, and each termination or revocation of an authorization under this section, and an explanation of the reasons therefor (which may include a summary of data or information that has been submitted to the Secretary in an application, request, or submission under this section or section 355(b), 355(i), 355(j), 360b(b), 360b(j), 360b(n), 360e, 360(k), 360c(f)(2), 360j(g), 360j(m), 360ccc, or 360ccc–1 of this title, or section 351(a) or 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262(a), (k)], even if such summary may reveal the existence of such an application, request, or submission, or data contained in such application, request, or submission). The Secretary shall make any revisions to an authorization under this section available on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration, which may include a summary of the data and information supporting such revisions. (2) Confidential informationNothing in this section alters or amends section 1905 of title 18 or section 552(b)(4) of title 5. Information made publicly available by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be considered a disclosure authorized by law for purposes of section 1905 of title 18 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
(i) Actions committed to agency discretionActions under the authority of this section by the Secretary, by the Secretary of Defense, or by the Secretary of Homeland Security are committed to agency discretion.
(j) Rules of constructionThe following applies with respect to this section:(1) Nothing in this section impairs the authority of the President as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States under article II, section 2 of the United States Constitution. (2) Nothing in this section impairs the authority of the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Department of Defense, including the armed forces, under other provisions of Federal law. (3) Nothing in this section (including any exercise of authority by a manufacturer under subsection (e)(2)) impairs the authority of the United States to use or manage quantities of a product that are owned or controlled by the United States (including quantities in the stockpile maintained under section 319F–2 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247d–6b]). (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing a delay in the review or other consideration by the Secretary of any application or submission pending before the Food and Drug Administration for a product for which an authorization under this section is issued.
(k) Relation to other provisionsIf a product is the subject of an authorization under this section, the use of such product within the scope of the authorization shall not be considered to constitute a clinical investigation for purposes of section 355(i), 360b(j), or 360j(g) of this title or any other provision of this chapter or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262].
(l) Option to carry out authorized activitiesNothing in this section provides the Secretary any authority to require any person to carry out any activity that becomes lawful pursuant to an authorization under this section, and no person is required to inform the Secretary that the person will not be carrying out such activity, except that a manufacturer of a sole-source unapproved product authorized for emergency use shall report to the Secretary within a reasonable period of time after the issuance by the Secretary of such authorization if such manufacturer does not intend to carry out any activity under the authorization. This section only has legal effect on a person who carries out an activity for which an authorization under this section is issued. This section does not modify or affect activities carried out pursuant to other provisions of this chapter or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 262]. Nothing in this subsection may be construed as restricting the Secretary from imposing conditions on persons who carry out any activity pursuant to an authorization under this section.
(m) Categorization of laboratory tests associated with devices subject to authorization(1) In generalIn issuing an authorization under this section with respect to a device, the Secretary may, subject to the provisions of this section, determine that a laboratory examination or procedure associated with such device shall be deemed, for purposes of section 353 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 263a], to be in a particular category of examinations and procedures (including the category described by subsection (d)(3) of such section) if, based on the totality of scientific evidence available to the Secretary—(A) such categorization would be beneficial to protecting the public health; and (B) the known and potential benefits of such categorization under the circumstances of the authorization outweigh the known and potential risks of the categorization. (2) Conditions of determinationThe Secretary may establish appropriate conditions on the performance of the examination or procedure pursuant to such determination. (3) Effective periodA determination under this subsection shall be effective for purposes of section 353 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 263a] notwithstanding any other provision of that section during the effective period of the relevant declaration under subsection (b).
Source: OLRC USLMURL: https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/95/xml_usc21@119-95.zipFetched: 6/4/2026