On April 6, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a report that provides options and recommendations for a new methodology to evaluate changes in resource capacity needs of human drug and biosimilar biologic review programs. Titled “Independent Evaluation of the PDUFA and BsUFA Resource Capacity Planning Adjustment Methodology: Evaluation and Recommendations,” the analysis of the methodology was reviewed by an outside consultant, contracted by FDA. The report summarizes the evaluation of FDA’s proposed capacity planning adjustment methodology to calculate the annual fees for human drugs and biosimilar biologics under the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. According to the report’s executive summary, “[t]he report examines the options and recommendations for the proposed capacity adjustment methodology to accurately assess changes in the resource and capacity needs for prescription drug and biologic biosimilar fee direct review work.” Relevant to those interested in developing, and streamlining such products, as part of the Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2017 (PDUFA VI) and Biosimilar User Fee Amendments of 2017 (BsUFA II) commitments, FDA is developing this methodology to improve its user fee resources. Comments will be accepted until May 6, 2020.

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