In general
Emergency uses
42 U.S.C. 262Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter and section 351 of the Public Health Service Act [], 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”).
Approval status of product
Relation to other uses
42 U.S.C. 201An 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 [ et seq.] referred to in paragraph (2)(A).
Definitions
Declaration of emergency or threat justifying emergency authorized use
In general
Termination of declaration
In general
Disposition of product
If 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.
Advance notice of termination
Publication
The Secretary shall promptly publish in the Federal Register each declaration, determination, and advance notice of termination under this subsection.
Explanation by Secretary
If 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.
Military emergencies
In 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.
Criteria for issuance of authorization
Scope of authorization
Conditions of authorization
Unapproved product
Required conditions
Authority for additional conditions
Unapproved use
Good manufacturing practice; prescription
Advertising
Duration of authorization
In general
Except 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).
Continued use after end of effective period
Notwithstanding 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.
Review and revocation of authorization
Review
Revision and revocation
Publication; confidential information
Publication
42 U.S.C. 262(a)The 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 [, (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.
Confidential information
section 1905 of title 18section 552(b)(4) of title 5section 1905 of title 181
Actions committed to agency discretion
Actions 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.
Rules of construction
Relation to other provisions
42 U.S.C. 262If 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 [].
Option to carry out authorized activities
42 U.S.C. 262Nothing 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 []. 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.
Categorization of laboratory tests associated with devices subject to authorization
In general
Conditions of determination
The Secretary may establish appropriate conditions on the performance of the examination or procedure pursuant to such determination.
Effective period
42 U.S.C. 263aA determination under this subsection shall be effective for purposes of section 353 of the Public Health Service Act [] notwithstanding any other provision of that section during the effective period of the relevant declaration under subsection (b).
June 25, 1938, ch. 675, § 564Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVI, § 1603(a)117 Stat. 1684Pub. L. 108–276, § 4(a)118 Stat. 853Pub. L. 113–5, title III, § 302(a)127 Stat. 179Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title III, § 3088(a)130 Stat. 1148Pub. L. 115–92, § 1(a)131 Stat. 2023Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title II, § 2504136 Stat. 5802(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
act July 1, 1944, ch. 37358 Stat. 682section 201 of Title 42The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is , , which is classified generally to chapter 6A (§ 201 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 117–328, § 2504(1)(A)2022—Subsec. (h)(1). , (C), inserted “on the internet website of the Food and Drug Administration and” after “promptly publish” and “, which may include a summary of the data and information supporting such revisions” before period at end of second sentence.
Pub. L. 117–328, § 2504(1)(B), which directed substitution of “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, even if such summary may reveal the existence of such an application, request, or submission, or data contained in such application, request, or submission” for “application under section 355(i), 360b(j), or 360j(g) of this title, even if such summary may indirectly reveal the existence of such application”, was executed by making the substitution for “application under section 355(i) 360b(j), or 360j(g) of this title, even if such summary may indirectly reveal the existence of such application”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 117–328, § 2504(2)section 1905 of title 18Subsec. (h)(2). , inserted at end “Information made publicly available by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be considered a disclosure authorized by law for purposes of ”.
Pub. L. 115–92, § 1(a)(1)(A)2017—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). , amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “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 of attack with a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent or agents;”.
Pub. L. 115–92, § 1(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(6). , added par. (6).
Pub. L. 115–92, § 1(a)(2)Subsec. (c)(4), (5). , added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(1)(A)section 360ccc of this title2016—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). , substituted “360b, or 360e” for “or 360e” and inserted “or conditionally approved under ” after “Public Health Service Act”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(1)(B)section 360ccc of this titleSubsec. (a)(2)(B). , inserted “conditionally approved under ,” after “approved,” in two places.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(4). , struck out second comma after “determination”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(3)section 353 of this titlesection 354 of this titlesection 353(b) of this titleSubsec. (e)(3)(B). , substituted “subsection (b) or (f) of or under ” for “”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(4)Subsec. (f)(2). , inserted “, or an animal to which,” after “to a patient to whom” and “or by the veterinarian caring for such animal, as applicable” after “attending physician”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(5)section 360ccc of this titleSubsec. (g)(1). , inserted “conditional approval under ,” after “approval,”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(6)section 360j(g) of this titleSubsec. (h)(1). , substituted “360b(j), or 360j(g) of this title” for “or ”.
Pub. L. 114–255, § 3088(a)(7)section 360j(g) of this titleSubsec. (k). , substituted “360b(j), or 360j(g) of this title” for “,”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(1)(A)2013—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “any provision of this chapter” for “sections 355, 360(k), and 360e of this title”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(2)(A). , substituted “under section 355, 360(k), or 360e of this title or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act” for “under a provision of law referred to in such paragraph”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “a section of this chapter or the Public Health Service Act referred to in paragraph (2)(A)” for “a provision of law referred to in such paragraph”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (b). , inserted “or threat justifying emergency authorized use” after “emergency” in heading.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “may make a declaration that the circumstances exist” for “may declare an emergency” in introductory provisions, struck out “specified” before “biological” in subpars. (A) and (B), added subpar. (D), and amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “a determination by the Secretary of a public health emergency under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act that affects, or has a significant potential to affect, national security, and that involves a specified biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent or agents, or a specified disease or condition that may be attributable to such agent or agents.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(2)(C)(i)Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii). , amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “the expiration of the one-year period beginning on the date on which the declaration is made.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(2)(C)(ii)Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). , (iii), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and struck out former subpar. (B). Prior to amendment, text of subpar. (B) read as follows: “Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may renew a declaration under this subsection, and this paragraph shall apply to any such renewal.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(2)(D)Subsec. (b)(4). , substituted “, and advance notice of termination under this subsection” for “advance notice of termination, and renewal under this subsection”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(2)(E)Subsec. (b)(5). , added par. (5).
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (c). , in introductory provisions, inserted “the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,” after “consultation with” and substituted “Director of the National Institutes of Health, and” for “Director of the National Institutes of Health and” and “applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1)” for “circumstances of the emergency involved”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(3)(B)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “referred to” for “specified”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(3)(C)Subsec. (c)(2)(B). , inserted “, taking into consideration the material threat posed by the agent or agents identified in a declaration under subsection (b)(1)(D), if applicable” after “risks of the product”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(4)Subsec. (d)(3). , inserted “, to the extent practicable given the circumstances of the emergency,” after “including”.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(5)(A)Subsec. (e)(1)(A). , substituted “applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1)” for “circumstances of the emergency” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(5)(B)Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iii). , amended cl. (iii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (iii) read as follows: “Appropriate conditions with respect to the collection and analysis of information, during the period when the authorization is in effect, concerning the safety and effectiveness of the product with respect to the emergency use of such product.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(5)(C)(i)Subsec. (e)(2)(A). , substituted “person” for “manufacturer of the product” and “applicable circumstances described in subsection (b)(1)” for “circumstances of the emergency” and inserted “or in paragraph (1)(B)” before period at end.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(5)(C)(ii)section 360bbb–3a of this titleSubsec. (e)(2)(B)(i). , inserted “, except as provided in with respect to authorized changes to the product expiration date” before period at end.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(5)(C)(iii)Subsec. (e)(2)(C). , amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “The Secretary may establish with respect to the distribution and administration of the product for the unapproved use conditions no more restrictive than those established by the Secretary with respect to the distribution and administration of the product for the approved use.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(5)(D)section 351 of this titleSubsec. (e)(3). , amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “With 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 circumstances of the emergency, 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 .”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(6)(A)Subsec. (g). , substituted “Review and revocation” for “Revocation” in heading.
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(6)(B)Subsec. (g)(1). , inserted at end “As part of such review, the Secretary shall regularly review the progress made with respect to the approval, 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.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(6)(C)Subsec. (g)(2). , amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary may revoke an authorization under this section if the criteria under subsection (c) of this section for issuance of such authorization are no longer met or other circumstances make such revocation appropriate to protect the public health or safety.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(7)Subsec. (h)(1). , inserted at end “The Secretary shall make any revisions to an authorization under this section available on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration.”
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(8)Subsec. (j)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 113–5, § 302(a)(9)Subsec. (m). , added subsec. (m).
Pub. L. 108–276l2004— amended section generally, substituting provisions of subsecs. (a) to () for similar former provisions, except for additional provisions in subsec. (b)(1) allowing Secretary to authorize use of medical products in actual or potential domestic and public health emergencies in addition to actual or potential military emergencies.
Executive Documents
Making General Use Respirators Available
Memorandum of President of the United States, , 85 F.R. 15049, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services [and] the Secretary of Labor
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
21 U.S.C. 360bbb–342 U.S.C. 247d–6dIt is the policy of the United States to take proactive measures to prepare for and respond to public health threats, including the public health emergency involving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19), which was declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on , pursuant to section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (). We must ensure that our healthcare providers have full access to the products they need. On , the Secretary of Health and Human Services took action by issuing a declaration pursuant to section 319F–3 of the Public Health Service Act (), which will help bring products necessary for addressing the epidemic to healthcare providers across the Nation. Unfortunately, at present, public health experts anticipate shortages in the supply of personal respiratory devices (respirators) available for use by healthcare workers in mitigating further transmission of COVID–19.
42 U.S.C. 247d–6d21 U.S.C. 360bbb–3To help prevent the spread of COVID–19, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take all appropriate and necessary steps with respect to general use respirators to facilitate their emergency use by healthcare personnel in healthcare facilities and elsewhere, including under the authorities granted by section 319F–3 of the Public Health Service Act () and section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (). Additionally, the Secretary of Labor shall consider all appropriate and necessary steps to increase the availability of respirators.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.