Meeting Details:

The committee will discuss the abuse potential of the drug dextromethorphan and the public health benefits and risks of dextromethorphan use as a cough suppressant in prescription and nonprescription drug products. The Department of Health and Human Services received a request from the Drug Enforcement Administration for a scientific and medical evaluation and scheduling recommendation for dextromethorphan in response to the increased incidence of abuse, especially among adolescents.

Meeting Details:

On September 15, 2010, the committee will discuss the results of the Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial (SCOUT) (M01392), for new drug application (NDA) 20632, MERIDIA (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) Capsules, sponsored by Abbott Laboratories, for treatment of obesity. The SCOUT study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which is a kind of clinical trial designed to provide data with strong measures of accuracy and reliability. The SCOUT trial evaluated the potential benefits of weight loss with MERIDIA on major cardiovascular (heart and blood circulation) adverse events. The preliminary results of the SCOUT trial indicated that clinical trial participants who received MERIDIA instead of placebo (no active drug) had a higher incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events that was statistically significant. On September 16, 2010, the committee will discuss the safety and efficacy of new drug application (NDA) 22529, with the proposed trade name LORQESS (lorcaserin hydrochloride) Tablets, sponsored by Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as an adjunct to diet and exercise for weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of equal to or greater than 30 kilograms (kg) per square meter, or a BMI equal to or greater than 27 kg per square meter if accompanied by weight-related co-morbidities (which include, for example: High blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes). The BMI is a measure of body weight (mass) based on a person's weight and height, and is a widely-used tool for doctors in assessing optimum weights for a patient.

Meeting Details:

The committee will discuss the available safety and efficacy data for supplemental new drug application (sNDA) 21897/015, VIVITROL (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension), sponsored by Alkermes, Inc., for the treatment of opioid dependence.

Meeting Details:

The committee will discuss new drug application (NDA) 22512, dabigatran etexilate mesylate capsules, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for the proposed indication of prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (abnormally rapid contractions of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart).

Meeting Details:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public workshop regarding scientific issues in clinical development of aerosolized antimicrobials for the management and/or treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis. Aerosolized antimicrobials are used to treat chronic bacterial infection in the lungs and thus improve the respiratory symptoms in patients with cystic fibrosis. This public workshop is intended to provide information for and gain perspective from health care providers, patients and patient advocacy organizations, academia, and industry on various aspects of the design of clinical trials of aerosolized antimicrobials in patients with cystic fibrosis. The input from this public workshop will help in developing topics for further discussion.

Meeting Details:

On August 26, 2010, the committee will discuss, make recommendations, and vote on premarket approval application for MelaFind, sponsored by MELA Sciences, Inc. MelaFind is a non-invasive computer vision system intended to assist in the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions, including atypical moles, which have one or more clinical or historical characteristics of melanoma, before a final decision to biopsy has been rendered. MelaFind acquires and displays multi-spectral (from blue to near infrared) digital images of pigmented skin lesions and uses automatic image analysis and statistical pattern recognition to help identify lesions to be considered for biopsy to rule out melanoma.

Meeting Details:

On September 7, 2010, the committee will discuss new drug application (NDA) 200327, for ceftaroline fosamil for injection, suOn September 7, 2010, the committee will discuss new drug application (NDA) 200327, for ceftaroline fosamil for injection, submitted by Cerexa, Inc., and the requested indications of: (1) Treatment of adults with community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP); and (2) complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). The morning session will be devoted to discussing the CABP indication, and the afternoon session to discussing the cSSSI indication.bmitted by Cerexa, Inc., and the requested indications of: (1) Treatment of adults with community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP); and (2) complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). The morning session will be devoted to discussing the CABP indication, and the afternoon session to discussing the cSSSI indication.

Meeting Details:

On August 20, 2010, the committees will discuss new drug application (NDA) 22-531, sodium oxybate, 375 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml) oral solution, sponsored by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, with a proposed indication for the treatment of fibromyalgia for patients 18 years of age and older . The safety and efficacy findings for sodium oxybate in the fibromyalgia population and the proposed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for this product will be discussed.

Meeting Details:

On August 19, 2010, the committee will discuss the available safety and efficacy data for new drug application (NDA) 22516, CYMBALTA (duloxetine HCL) Capsules, by Eli Lilly and Co., as it relates to the proposed indication of treatment of chronic pain.

Meeting Details:

On August 11, 2010, the committee will discuss new drug application (NDA) 22-345, with the proposed trade name POTIGA (ezogabine) Tablets, by Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America. The proposed indication for this new drug product is adjunctive therapy in patients with partial-onset seizures.