The words intended uses or words of similar import in §§ 201.5 , 201.115 , 201.117 , 201.119 , 201.120 , 201.122 , and 1100.5 of this chapter refer to the objective intent of the persons legally responsible for the labeling of an article (or their representatives). The intent may be shown by such persons' expressions, the design or composition of the article, or by the circumstances surrounding the distribution of the article. This objective intent may, for example, be shown by labeling claims, advertising matter, or oral or written statements by such persons or their representatives. Objective intent may be shown, for example, by circumstances in which the article is, with the knowledge of such persons or their representatives, offered or used for a purpose for which it is neither labeled nor advertised; provided, however, that a firm would not be regarded as intending an unapproved new use for an approved drug based solely on that firm's knowledge that such drug was being prescribed or used by health care providers for such use. The intended uses of an article may change after it has been introduced into interstate commerce by its manufacturer. If, for example, a packer, distributor, or seller intends an article for different uses than those intended by the person from whom he or she received the article, such packer, distributor, or seller is required to supply adequate labeling in accordance with the new intended uses.
21 CFR Part 201 · Labeling
§ 201.128 Meaning of “intended uses”
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Warning letters citing § 201.128
389 FDA warning letters since 2017 cite this section ; the most recent:
- Best Chinese Medicines LLC 23 Oct 2026
- Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 14 Oct 2026
- Silgan Dispensing Systems 5 Oct 2026
- Terramed 1 Oct 2026
- DesBio/Deseret Biologicals, Inc. 1 Oct 2026
- Aidance Scientific, Inc. 1 Oct 2026
- The Platinum Healthcare LLC 1 Oct 2026
- Graceful Touch, LLC 1 Oct 2026
- Amazon.com, Inc. 1 Oct 2026
- OrganiCare, LLC / OrganiCare Nature’s Science, LLC 1 Oct 2026
- Bioactive Services USA, LLC / Herstat Inc. 1 Oct 2026
- RoyceDerm LLC 1 Oct 2026
FDA guidance that cites § 201.128
- Expanded Access to Investigational Drugs for Treatment Use: Questions and Answers 15 Apr 2026
- How to Prepare a Pre-Request for Designation (Pre-RFD): Guidance for Industry 6 Nov 2025
- Communications From Firms to Health Care Providers Regarding Scientific Information on Unapproved Uses of Approved/Cleared Medical Products: Questions and Answers 6 Jan 2025
- Botanical Drug Development: Guidance for Industry 29 Dec 2016
Amendment history
Federal Register documents that created or amended this section.
- 86 FR 41401 2 Aug 2021