Us Code § 379r - National uniformity for nonprescription drugs
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 379r — National uniformity for nonprescription drugs, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 379r. National uniformity for nonprescription drugs
(a) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b), (c)(1), (d), (e), or (f), no State or political subdivision of a State may establish or continue in effect any requirement—
(1) that relates to the regulation of a drug that is not subject to the requirements of section 353(b)(1) or 353(f)(1)(A) of this title; and
(2) that is different from or in addition to, or that is otherwise not identical with, a requirement under this chapter, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (15 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (15 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).
(b) Exemption
(1) In general
Upon application of a State or political subdivision thereof, the Secretary may by regulation, after notice and opportunity for written and oral presentation of views, exempt from subsection (a), under such conditions as may be prescribed in such regulation, a State or political subdivision requirement that—
(A) protects an important public interest that would otherwise be unprotected, including the health and safety of children;
(B) would not cause any drug to be in violation of any applicable requirement or prohibition under Federal law; and
(C) would not unduly burden interstate commerce.
(2) Timely action
The Secretary shall make a decision on the exemption of a State or political subdivision requirement under paragraph (1) not later than 120 days after receiving the application of the State or political subdivision under paragraph (1).
(c) Scope
(1) In general
This section shall not apply to—
(A) any State or political subdivision requirement that relates to the practice of pharmacy; or
(B) any State or political subdivision requirement that a drug be dispensed only upon the prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug.
(2) Safety or effectiveness
For purposes of subsection (a), a requirement that relates to the regulation of a drug shall be deemed to include any requirement relating to public information or any other form of public communication relating to a warning of any kind for a drug.
(d) Exceptions
(1) In general
In the case of a drug described in subsection (a)(1) that is not the subject of an application approved under section 355 of this title or section 357 of this title (as in effect on the day before November 21, 1997) or a final order under section 355h of this title by the Secretary establishing conditions under which the drug is generally recognized as safe and effective, subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to a requirement of a State or political subdivision of a State that relates to the same subject as, but is different from or in addition to, or that is otherwise not identical with—
(A) a regulation or order in effect with respect to the drug pursuant to a statute described in subsection (a)(2); or
(B) any other requirement in effect with respect to the drug pursuant to an amendment to such a statute made on or after November 21, 1997.
(2) State initiatives
This section shall not apply to a State requirement adopted by a State public initiative or referendum enacted prior to September 1, 1997.
(e) No effect on product liability law
Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify or otherwise affect any action or the liability of any person under the product liability law of any State.
(f) State enforcement authority
Nothing in this section shall prevent a State or political subdivision thereof from enforcing, under any relevant civil or other enforcement authority, a requirement that is identical to a requirement of this chapter.
(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §751, as added Pub. L. 105–115, title IV, §412(a), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2373; amended Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, §3851(c), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 454.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is Pub. L. 91–601, Dec. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1670, which is classified principally to chapter 39A (§1471 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1471 of Title 15 and Tables.
The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is Pub. L. 89–755, Nov. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 1296, which is classified generally to chapter 39 (§1451 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1451 of Title 15 and Tables.
Amendments
2020—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–136, §3851(c)(1), in introductory provisions, substituted "final order under section 355h of this title" for "final regulation promulgated" and struck out "and not misbranded" after "safe and effective".
Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–136, §3851(c)(2), substituted "regulation or order in effect" for "regulation in effect".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective 90 days after Nov. 21, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as an Effective Date of 1997 Amendment note under section 321 of this title.
About This Section
21 U.S.C. § 379r is part of Title 21 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 21 U.S.C. § 379r. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.