What Is FDA's Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) And How Can It Help Develop Therapies Faster?

By Nach Davé

As we continue to face health emergencies and imminent threats to our safety and well-being, the medical community is tasked with bringing solutions to the patients in an expedited and safe manner. One such opportunity is to partner with the US FDA by submitting an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for any products that could immediately and effectively address a health emergency.

Under section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), the FDA Commissioner may allow unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions caused by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threat agents when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. Worth noting is that submission of an IND or IDE is not required for potential EUA products.