FDA Roundup: March 14, 2023

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Mar 14, 2023, 14:47 ET

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:

Yesterday, the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) was revised to include a Warning conveying that reports of adverse events following use of the vaccine under emergency use authorization suggest increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly within the period 0 through 7 days following vaccination. The Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers was also revised to include information about myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of the Janssen COVID–19 Vaccine. An additional revision to the Fact Sheets was made to include that facial paralysis (including Bell's Palsy) has been reported during post-authorization use. Also, the scope of authorization for a booster dose of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine has been revised to reflect that the vaccine may be administered as a first booster dose at least 2 months after completion of primary vaccination with an authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA reissued the letter of authorization for Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to revise the scope of authorization related to the administration of a booster dose and the conditions of authorization related to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reporting requirements for vaccination providers and Janssen Biotech, Inc. to include myocarditis and pericarditis.

The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is authorized for emergency use for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 18 years of age and older for whom other FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and in individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The letter of authorization and revised fact sheets are available on the FDA's website.
On Friday, the FDA approved Daybue (trofinetide) oral solution as the first treatment for Rett syndrome in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Rett syndrome is a rare, genetic neurological and developmental disorder that affects the way the brain develops. Patients experience a progressive loss of motor skills and language. The hallmark of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements, such as rubbing or clapping. Rett syndrome leads to severe impairments affecting nearly every aspect of life, including the ability to speak, walk, eat, and breathe. The syndrome primarily affects females (1 in 10,000) and even more rarely affects males.

The most common adverse reactions, occurring in at least 10% of Daybue-treated patients and twice the rate of placebo, included diarrhea (81%) and vomiting (27%). See full prescribing information for additional information on risks associated with Daybue.
COVID-19 testing updates:

As of today, 444 tests and sample collection devices are authorized by the FDA under emergency use authorizations (EUAs). These include 299 molecular tests and sample collection devices, 84 antibody and other immune response tests, 60 antigen tests, and one diagnostic breath test. There are 78 molecular authorizations and one antibody authorization that can be used with home-collected samples. There is one EUA for a molecular prescription at-home test, two EUAs for antigen prescription at-home tests, 28 EUAs for antigen over-the-counter (OTC) at-home tests, and five for molecular OTC at-home tests.
The FDA has authorized 45 antigen tests and eight molecular tests for serial screening programs. The FDA has also authorized 1289 revisions to EUA authorizations.

Additional Resources:

FDA Newsroom

Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration