Title 21, Food and DrugsRelease 119-110
§360a–2 Susceptibility Test Interpretive Criteria for Microorganisms
Title 21 › CHAPTER 9 — FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT › SUBCHAPTER V — DRUGS AND DEVICES › Part A — Drugs and Devices › § 360a–2
Summary
Requires the FDA to keep and update the lab rules used to judge whether bacteria, fungi, or other germs are likely to be stopped by an antimicrobial drug. The FDA must make those updates when needed to protect public health, give public notice, and allow test devices that use the updated rules to be cleared or approved. Within one year after December 13, 2016, the FDA must put a special webpage online that lists any new or updated standards and the specific test cutoffs the agency recognizes. The webpage must list standards made by reputable standards groups that use transparent, public processes and make their rules available, and it must also list any specific test cutoffs the FDA finds appropriate when no such standard applies or when a drug needs different cutoffs. The webpage must say that the information shows lab (in vitro) susceptibility, that such lab results may not prove the drug works in people, and that approved drug labels still show the FDA-approved uses. The FDA must announce the webpage in the Federal Register, protect trade secrets, and a link to the webpage in drug labeling does not by itself make a drug misbranded. The FDA must review new or updated standards at least every six months and publish whether it recognizes or withdraws them, and it must make an annual compilation of those notices and take public comments. Drug labels for products already on the market must remove detailed test cutoffs and instead point to the webpage within one year after the page is set up; new drug labels must point to the webpage from the start. Test devices that use recognized or listed cutoffs can be authorized if their labels include the same cautions about lab-only results and if the devices meet other clearance or approval rules. Definitions in the law include: antimicrobial susceptibility testing device — a device that reports lab susceptibility of microbes to drugs; qualified infectious disease product — a drug with that special designation; susceptibility test interpretive criteria — numeric cutoffs and categories like susceptible, intermediate, or resistant; antimicrobial drug — a systemic antibacterial or antifungal for human use (with possible expansions by FDA); interpretive criteria standard — a compiled set of cutoffs made by a standards organization that meets the law’s transparency rules.
Full Legal Text
Title 21, §360a–2
Food and Drugs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Purpose; identification of criteria
(1)Purpose
The purpose of this section is to clarify the Secretary’s authority to—
(A)efficiently update susceptibility test interpretive criteria for antimicrobial drugs when necessary for public health, due to, among other things, the constant evolution of microorganisms that leads to the development of resistance to drugs that have been effective in decreasing morbidity and mortality for patients, which warrants unique management of antimicrobial drugs that is inappropriate for most other drugs in order to delay or prevent the development of further resistance to existing therapies;
(B)provide for public notice of the availability of recognized interpretive criteria and interpretive criteria standards; and
(C)clear under section 360(k) of this title, classify under section 360c(f)(2) of this title, or approve under section 360e of this title, antimicrobial susceptibility testing devices utilizing updated, recognized susceptibility test interpretive criteria to characterize the in vitro susceptibility of particular bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable, to antimicrobial drugs.
(2)Identification of criteria
The Secretary shall identify appropriate susceptibility test interpretive criteria with respect to antimicrobial drugs—
(A)if such criteria are available on the date of approval of the drug under section 355 of this title or licensure of the drug under section 262 of title 42 (as applicable), upon such approval or licensure; or
(B)if such criteria are unavailable on such date, on the date on which such criteria are available for such drug.
(3)Bases for initial identification
The Secretary shall identify appropriate susceptibility test interpretive criteria under paragraph (2), based on the Secretary’s review of, to the extent available and relevant—
(A)preclinical and clinical data, including pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and epidemiological data;
(B)the relationship of susceptibility test interpretive criteria to morbidity and mortality associated with the disease or condition for which such drug is used; and
(C)such other evidence and information as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(b)Susceptibility test Interpretive Criteria Website
(1)In general
Not later than 1 year after December 13, 2016, the Secretary shall establish, and maintain thereafter, on the website of the Food and Drug Administration, a dedicated website that contains a list of any appropriate new or updated susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards and interpretive criteria in accordance with paragraph (2) (referred to in this section as the “Interpretive Criteria Website”).
(2)Listing of susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards and interpretive criteria
(A)In general
The list described in paragraph (1) shall consist of any new or updated susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards that are—
(i)established by a nationally or internationally recognized standard development organization that—
(I)establishes and maintains procedures to address potential conflicts of interest and ensure transparent decisionmaking;
(II)holds open meetings to ensure that there is an opportunity for public input by interested parties, and establishes and maintains processes to ensure that such input is considered in decisionmaking; and
(III)permits its standards to be made publicly available, through the National Library of Medicine or another similar source acceptable to the Secretary; and
(ii)recognized in whole, or in part, by the Secretary under subsection (c).
(B)Other list
The Interpretive Criteria Website shall, in addition to the list described in subparagraph (A), include a list of interpretive criteria, if any, that the Secretary has determined to be appropriate with respect to legally marketed antimicrobial drugs, where—
(i)the Secretary does not recognize, in whole or in part, an interpretive criteria standard described under subparagraph (A) otherwise applicable to such a drug;
(ii)the Secretary withdraws under subsection (c)(1)(A) recognition of a standard, in whole or in part, otherwise applicable to such a drug;
(iii)the Secretary approves an application under section 355 of this title or section 262 of title 42, as applicable, with respect to marketing of such a drug for which there are no relevant interpretive criteria included in a standard recognized by the Secretary under subsection (c); or
(iv)because the characteristics of such a drug differ from other drugs with the same active ingredient, the interpretive criteria with respect to such drug—
(I)differ from otherwise applicable interpretive criteria included in a standard listed under subparagraph (A) or interpretive criteria otherwise listed under this subparagraph; and
(II)are determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for the drug.
(C)Required statements
The Interpretive Criteria Website shall include statements conveying—
(i)that the website provides information about the in vitro susceptibility of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable to a certain drug (or drugs);
(ii)that—
(I)the safety and efficacy of such drugs in treating clinical infections due to such bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable, may or may not have been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials in order for the susceptibility information described in clause (i) to be included on the website; and
(II)the clinical significance of such susceptibility information in such instances is unknown;
(iii)that the approved product labeling for specific drugs provides the uses for which the Secretary has approved the product; and
(iv)any other information that the Secretary determines appropriate to adequately convey the meaning of the data supporting the recognition or listing of susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards or susceptibility test interpretive criteria included on the website.
(3)Notice
Not later than the date on which the Interpretive Criteria Website is established, the Secretary shall publish a notice of that establishment in the Federal Register.
(4)Inapplicability of misbranding provision
The inclusion in the approved labeling of an antimicrobial drug of a reference or hyperlink to the Interpretive Criteria Website, in and of itself, shall not cause the drug to be misbranded in violation of section 352 of this title.
(5)Trade secrets and confidential information
Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary to disclose any information that is a trade secret or confidential information subject to section 552(b)(4) of title 5.
(c)Recognition of susceptibility test interpretive criteria
(1)Evaluation and publication
(A)In general
Beginning on the date of the establishment of the Interpretive Criteria Website, and at least every 6 months thereafter, the Secretary shall—
(i)evaluate any appropriate new or updated susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards established by a nationally or internationally recognized standard development organization described in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i); and
(ii)publish on the public website of the Food and Drug Administration a notice—
(I)withdrawing recognition of any different susceptibility test interpretive criteria standard, in whole or in part;
(II)recognizing the new or updated standards;
(III)recognizing one or more parts of the new or updated interpretive criteria specified in such a standard and declining to recognize the remainder of such standard; and
(IV)making any necessary updates to the lists under subsection (b)(2).
(B)Upon approval of a drug
Upon the approval of an initial or supplemental application for an antimicrobial drug under section 355 of this title or section 262 of title 42, as applicable, where such approval is based on susceptibility test interpretive criteria which differ from those contained in a standard recognized, or from those otherwise listed, by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection, or for which there are no relevant interpretive criteria standards recognized, or interpretive criteria otherwise listed, by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall update the lists under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(2) to include the susceptibility test interpretive criteria upon which such approval was based.
(2)Bases for updating interpretive criteria standards
In evaluating new or updated susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may consider—
(A)the Secretary’s determination that such a standard is not applicable to a particular drug because the characteristics of the drug differ from other drugs with the same active ingredient;
(B)information provided by interested third parties, including public comment on the annual compilation of notices published under paragraph (3);
(C)any bases used to identify susceptibility test interpretive criteria under subsection (a)(2); and
(D)such other information or factors as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(3)Annual compilation of notices
Each year, the Secretary shall compile the notices published under paragraph (1)(A) and publish such compilation in the Federal Register and provide for public comment. If the Secretary receives comments, the Secretary shall review such comments and, if the Secretary determines appropriate, update pursuant to this subsection susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards or criteria—
(A)recognized by the Secretary under this subsection; or
(B)otherwise listed on the Interpretive Criteria Website under subsection (b)(2).
(4)Relation to section 360d(c) of this title
Any susceptibility test interpretive standard recognized under this subsection or any criteria otherwise listed under subsection (b)(2)(B) shall be deemed to be recognized as a standard by the Secretary under section 360d(c)(1) of this title.
(5)Voluntary use of interpretive criteria
Nothing in this section prohibits a person from seeking approval or clearance of a drug or device, or changes to the drug or the device, on the basis of susceptibility test interpretive criteria which differ from those contained in a standard recognized, or from those otherwise listed, by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
(d)Antimicrobial drug labeling
(1)Drugs marketed prior to establishment of Interpretive Criteria Website
(A)In general
With respect to an antimicrobial drug lawfully introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce for commercial distribution before the establishment of the Interpretive Criteria Website, a holder of an approved application under section 355 of this title or section 262 of title 42, as applicable, for each such drug, not later than 1 year after establishment of the Interpretive Criteria Website described in subsection (b)(1), shall remove susceptibility test interpretive criteria, if any, and related information from the approved drug labeling and replace it with a reference to the Interpretive Criteria Website.
(B)Labeling changes
The labeling changes required by this section shall be considered a minor change under section 314.70 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations) that may be implemented through documentation in the next applicable annual report.
(2)Drugs marketed subsequent to establishment of Interpretive Criteria Website
With respect to antimicrobial drugs approved on or after the date of the establishment of the Interpretive Criteria Website described in subsection (b)(1), the labeling for such a drug shall include, in lieu of susceptibility test interpretive criteria and related information, a reference to such Website.
(e)Special condition for marketing of antimicrobial susceptibility testing devices
(1)In general
Notwithstanding section 351, 352, 355, 360, 360c, and 360e of this title, if the conditions specified in paragraph (2) are met (in addition to other applicable provisions under this subchapter) with respect to an antimicrobial susceptibility testing device described in subsection (f)(1), the Secretary may authorize the marketing of such device for a use described in such subsection.
(2)Conditions applicable to antimicrobial susceptibility testing devices
The conditions specified in this paragraph are the following:
(A)The device is used to make a determination of susceptibility using susceptibility test interpretive criteria that are—
(i)included in a standard recognized by the Secretary under subsection (c); or
(ii)otherwise listed on the Interpretive Criteria Website under subsection (b)(2).
(B)The labeling of such device includes statements conveying—
(i)that the device provides information about the in vitro susceptibility of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable to antimicrobial drugs;
(ii)that—
(I)the safety and efficacy of such drugs in treating clinical infections due to such bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable, may or may not have been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials in order for the device to report the susceptibility of such bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable, to such drugs; and
(II)the clinical significance of such susceptibility information in those instances is unknown;
(iii)that the approved labeling for drugs tested using such a device provides the uses for which the Secretary has approved such drugs; and
(iv)any other information the Secretary determines appropriate to adequately convey the meaning of the data supporting the recognition or listing of susceptibility test interpretive criteria standards or susceptibility test interpretive criteria described in subparagraph (A).
(C)The antimicrobial susceptibility testing device meets all other requirements to be cleared under section 360(k) of this title, classified under section 360c(f)(2) of this title, or approved under section 360e of this title.
(f)Definitions
In this section: (1)
(2)The term “qualified infectious disease product” means a qualified infectious disease product designated under section 355f(d) of this title.
(3)The term “susceptibility test interpretive criteria” means—
(A)one or more specific numerical values which characterize the susceptibility of bacteria or other microorganisms to the drug tested; and
(B)related categorizations of such susceptibility, including categorization of the drug as susceptible, intermediate, resistant, or such other term as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(4)(A)The term “antimicrobial drug” means, subject to subparagraph (B), a systemic antibacterial or antifungal drug that—
(i)is intended for human use in the treatment of a disease or condition caused by a bacterium or fungus;
(ii)may include a qualified infectious disease product designated under section 355f(d) of this title; and
(iii)is subject to section 353(b)(1) of this title.
(B)If provided by the Secretary through regulations, such term may include—
(i)drugs other than systemic antibacterial and antifungal drugs; and
(ii)biological products (as such term is defined in section 262 of title 42) to the extent such products exhibit antimicrobial activity.
(5)The term “interpretive criteria standard” means a compilation of susceptibility test interpretive criteria developed by a standard development organization that meets the criteria set forth in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i).
(g)Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to—
(1)alter the standards of evidence under subsection (c) or (d) of section 355 of this title (including the substantial evidence standard under section 355(d) of this title) or under section 262 of title 42 (as applicable); or
(2)with respect to clearing devices under section 360(k) of this title, classifying devices under section 360c(f)(2) of this title, or approving devices under section 360e of this title—
(A)apply with respect to any drug, device, or biological product, in any context other than an antimicrobial drug and an antimicrobial susceptibility testing device that uses susceptibility test interpretive criteria to characterize and report the susceptibility of certain bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, as applicable, to such drug to reflect patient morbidity and mortality in accordance with this section; or
(B)unless specifically stated, have any effect on authorities provided under other sections of this chapter, including any regulations issued under such sections.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Construction
Nothing in this section to be construed to restrict the prescribing of antimicrobial drugs or other products, including drugs approved under section 356(h) of this title, by health care professionals, or to limit the practice of health care, see section 3043 of Pub. L. 114–255, set out as a
Construction
of 2016
Amendments
note under section 356 of this title. Requests for Updates to Interpretive Criteria Website Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title III, § 3044(d), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1121, provided that: “Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to the collection of information from interested parties regarding updating the lists established under section 511A(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 360a–2(b)] and posted on the Interpretive Criteria Website established under section 511A(c) [probably means section 511A(b)] of such Act.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
21 U.S.C. § 360a–2
Title 21, Food and Drugs
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110