Physician Therapeutics, LLC 4/8/10

Department of Health and Human Services	Public Health Service Food and Drug Administration
	Los Angeles District Pacific Region 19701 Fairchild Irvine, CA 92612-2506 Telephone: 949-608-2900 FAX: 949-608-4415

 

WARNING LETTER

CERTIFIED MAIL

RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

April 8, 2010

 

W/L 14-10

William Shell, M.D.

CEO

Physician Therapeutics, LLC

2980 N. Beverly Glen Circle, Suite 301

Los Angeles, California 90077-1735

Dear Dr. Shell:

On (b)(4), FDA issued a warning letter to (b)(4), (copy attached). As explained more fully in that warning letter, certain drug products that (b)(4) has manufactured are new drugs that lack approved applications as required under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). Based on information obtained during FDA's inspection of from (b)(4), your firm contracted or otherwise arranged with (b)(4) manufacture one or more drug products that your firm distributes. These drug products include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Theracodophen-650 Convenience Pack (Hydrocodone 10 mg, Acetaminophen 650 mg, and Theramine);

• Strazepam Convenience Pack (Temazepam 15 mg and Sentra PM);

• Gabazolamine-0.5 Convenience Pack (Alprazolam 0.5 mg and GABAdone);

• Gaboxetine Convenience Pack (Fluoxetine 10 mg and GABAdone);

• Trazamine Convenience Pack (Tradazone 50 mg and Sentra PM);

• Senophylline Convenience Pack (Theophylline 100 mg and Sentra PM);

• Therapentin-60 (Gabapentin 200 mg and Theramine);

• Prazolamine (Carisoprodol 350 mg and Theramine);



• Sentradine (Ranitidine 150 mg and Sentra PM);

• Therafeldamine (Piroxicam 20 mg and Theramine)

The above products are drugs within the meaning of section 201(g) of the Act, [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)] because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases. Further, they are "new drugs" within the meaning of section 201(P) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(P)] because they are not generally recognized as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in their labeling. Under sections 301 (a) and (d) and 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a), (d) and 355(a)], a new drug may not be introduced into or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce unless an FDA approved application is in effect for the drug. Based on our information, you do not have any FDA-approved applications on file for these drug products.

Additionally, because the above prescription drug products are intended for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners, adequate directions cannot be written for them so that a layman can use these products safely for their intended uses, as described in 21 C.F.R. § 201.5. Consequently, their labeling fails to bear adequate directions for their intended uses, causing them to be misbranded under section 502(1)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 352(1)(1)]. Because the products lack required approved applications, they are not exempt under 21 C.F.R. § 201.115 from the requirements of section 502(1)(1) of the Act. The introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of these products without approved new drug applications violates sections 301(a) and (d) of the Act [21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a) and (d)].

Further, as explained in the warning letter dated (b)(4) to (b)(4) the above drug products are adulterated under 21 U.S.C. § 351(a)(2)(B), and thus your firm may not introduce or deliver them for introduction into interstate commerce, 21 U.S.C. § 331(a).

The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive statement of violations that may exist in connection with your products. In particular, violations cited in this letter are not necessarily limited to drug products manufactured by (b)(4) and may apply to all drug products that you market and distribute without FDA-approved applications. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of the violations identified above and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to assure that your film complies with all requirements of federal law and FDA regulations.

You should take prompt action to Correct the violations cited in this letter. Failure to promptly correct these violations may result in legal action without further notice, including, without limitation, seizure, and,' injunction. Other federal agencies may take this Warning Letter into account when considering the award of contracts.

Within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, please notify this office in writing of the specific steps that you have taken to correct violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you cannot complete corrective action within fifteen working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will complete the correction. If you no longer market the above products, your response should so indicate, including the reasons that, and the date on which, you ceased production.

Your reply should be sent to:

Daniel Cline, Acting Director

Los Angeles District Domestic Compliance Branch

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

19701 Fairchild

Irvine, CA 92612

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact John J. Stamp, Compliance Officer, at (949) 608-4464.

Sincerely,

/S/

Alonza E. Cruse

District Director

Enclosure

cc: Acting Branch Chief

Food and Drug Branch

California Department of Public Health

1500 Capitol Avenue-MS 7602

P.O. Box 997413

Sacramento, CA 95899-7413

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