Selected passages from the FDA letter
Quoted FDA text from the published dataset. These selected excerpts are not the complete letter.
Passage 1Pristine Hand Sanitizer Gel, labeled as manufactured at your facility, is labeled to contain 68% volume/volume (v/v) of the active ingredient alcohol ethyl alcohol (ethanol). However, FDA laboratory testing of a batch of this product detained at the border found that the drug product contained an average of only 42% v/v ethanol. This hand sanitizer drug product is adulterated under section 501(c) of the FD&C Act in that the active ingredient of ethanol is present at levels in the product lower than that which is declared on its label.
Passage 2In addition, this product is adulterated within the meaning of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B)), in that the subpotency demonstrates that the quality assurance within your facility is not functioning in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) requirements.
Passage 3This topical antiseptic product is a “new drug” within the meaning of section 201(p) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(p), because it is not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in its labeling. New drugs may not be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from FDA, as described in section 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(a), unless they are lawfully marketed under section 505G of the FD&C Act (which is not the case for this product, as further described below). No FDA-approved application pursuant to section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355, is in effect for this product, nor are we aware of any adequate and well-controlled clinical studies in the published literature that support a determination that your Pristine Hand Sanitizer Gel drug product is GRASE for use under the conditions suggested, recommended, or prescribed in its labeling. Accordingly, this product is an unapproved new drug marketed in violation of sections 505(a) and 301(d) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C 355(a) and 331(d).
Passage 4Additionally, this hand sanitizer is misbranded under section 502(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(a), because its labeling is false or misleading. As noted above, Pristine Hand Sanitizer Gel is labeled to contain ethanol 68% v/v. However, FDA laboratory analysis of a sample from a batch of this product demonstrates that the product contains concentrations of ethanol that are far less than that stated on its product label. Thus, the misleading representations of the concentration of the active ingredient ethanol on the Pristine Hand Sanitizer Gel labeling cause this product to be misbranded under section 502(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(a).
Passage 5Lastly, this product is misbranded under section 502(ee) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(ee) because Pristine Hand Sanitizer Gel is a nonprescription drug subject to section 505G of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355h, but does not comply with the requirements for marketing under that section and is not the subject of an application approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355.
Citations in the original letter
As cited in this historical letter, not a statement of current regulatory requirements.
- 21 CFR 201.128
- 21 CFR 330