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21 U.S.C. § 379j–52 — Authority to assess and use biosimilar biological product fees

Verified against govinfo.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on govinfo.gov ↗
  1. (a)Types of feesBeginning in fiscal year 2023, the Secretary shall assess and collect fees in accordance with this section as follows:
    1. (1)Biosimilar biological product development program fees
      1. (A)Initial biosimilar biological product development fee
        1. (i)In generalEach person that submits to the Secretary a meeting request described under clause (ii) or a clinical protocol for an investigational new drug protocol described under clause (iii) shall pay for the product named in the meeting request or the investigational new drug application the initial biosimilar biological product development fee established under subsection (c)(5).
        2. (ii)Meeting requestThe meeting request described in this clause is a request for a biosimilar biological product development meeting for a product.
        3. (iii)Clinical protocol for INDA clinical protocol for an investigational new drug protocol described in this clause is a clinical protocol consistent with the provisions of section 355(i) of this title, including any regulations promulgated under section 355(i) of this title, (referred to in this section as “investigational new drug application”) describing an investigation that the Secretary determines is intended to support a biosimilar biological product application for a product.
        4. (iv)Due dateThe initial biosimilar biological product development fee shall be due by the earlier of the following:
          1. (I)Not later than 7 days after the Secretary grants a request for a biosimilar biological product development meeting.
          2. (II)The date of submission of an investigational new drug application describing an investigation that the Secretary determines is intended to support a biosimilar biological product application.
        5. (v)Transition ruleEach person that has submitted an investigational new drug application prior to July 9, 2012, shall pay the initial biosimilar biological product development fee by the earlier of the following:
          1. (I)Not later than 60 days after July 9, 2012, if the Secretary determines that the investigational new drug application describes an investigation that is intended to support a biosimilar biological product application.
          2. (II)Not later than 7 days after the Secretary grants a request for a biosimilar biological product development meeting.
      2. (B)Annual biosimilar biological product development fee
        1. (i)In generalA person that pays an initial biosimilar biological product development fee for a product shall pay for such product, beginning in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the initial biosimilar biological product development fee was paid, an annual fee established under subsection (c)(5) for the biosimilar biological product development program (referred to in this section as “annual biosimilar biological product development fee”), except that, in the case that such product (including, where applicable, ownership of the relevant investigational new drug application) is transferred to a licensee, assignee, or successor of such person, and written notice of such transfer is provided to the Secretary, such licensee, assignee, or successor shall pay the annual biosimilar biological product development fee.
        2. (ii)Due dateThe annual biosimilar biological product development fee for each fiscal year will be due on the later of—
          1. (I)the first business day on or after October 1 of each such year; or
          2. (II)the first business day after the enactment of an appropriations Act providing for the collection and obligation of fees for such year under this section.
        3. (iii)ExceptionThe annual biosimilar biological product development fee for each fiscal year will be due on the date specified in clause (ii), unless the person has—
          1. (I)submitted a marketing application for the biological product that was accepted for filing;
          2. (II)discontinued participation in the biosimilar biological product development program for the product under subparagraph (C); or
          3. (III)been administratively removed from the biosimilar biological product development program for the product under subparagraph (E)(v).
        4. (iv)RefundIf a person submits a marketing application for a biosimilar biological product before October 1 of a fiscal year and such application is subsequently accepted for filing, the person may request a refund equal to the annual biosimilar biological product development fee paid by the person for the product for such fiscal year. To qualify for consideration for a refund under this clause, a person shall submit to the Secretary a written request for such refund not later than 180 days after the marketing application is accepted for filing.
      3. (C)Discontinuation of fee obligationA person may discontinue participation in the biosimilar biological product development program for a product, effective October 1 of a fiscal year, by, not later than August 1 of the preceding fiscal year—
        1. (i)if no investigational new drug application concerning the product has been submitted, submitting to the Secretary a written declaration that the person has no present intention of further developing the product as a biosimilar biological product; or
        2. (ii)if an investigational new drug application concerning the product has been submitted, withdrawing the investigational new drug application in accordance with part 312 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations).
      4. (D)Reactivation fee
        1. (i)In generalA person that has discontinued participation in the biosimilar biological product development program for a product under subparagraph (C), or who has been administratively removed from such program for a product under subparagraph (E)(v), shall, if the person seeks to resume participation in such program, pay all annual biosimilar biological product development fees previously assessed for such product and still owed and a fee (referred to in this section as “reactivation fee”) by the earlier of the following:
          1. (I)Not later than 7 days after the Secretary grants a request by such person for a biosimilar biological product development meeting for the product (after the date on which such participation was discontinued or the date of administrative removal, as applicable).
          2. (II)Upon the date of submission (after the date on which such participation was discontinued or the date of administrative removal, as applicable) by such person of an investigational new drug application describing an investigation that the Secretary determines is intended to support a biosimilar biological product application for that product.
        2. (ii)Application of annual feeA person that pays a reactivation fee for a product shall pay for such product, beginning in the next fiscal year, the annual biosimilar biological product development fee under subparagraph (B), except that, in the case that such product (including, where applicable, ownership of the relevant investigational new drug application) is transferred to a licensee, assignee, or successor of such person, and written notice of such transfer is provided to the Secretary, such licensee, assignee, or successor shall pay the annual biosimilar biological product development fee.
      5. (E)Effect of failure to pay fees
        1. (i)No biosimilar biological product development meetingsIf a person has failed to pay an initial or annual biosimilar biological product development fee as required under subparagraph (A) or (B), or a reactivation fee as required under subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall not provide a biosimilar biological product development meeting relating to the product for which fees are owed.
        2. (ii)No receipt of investigational new drug applicationsExcept in extraordinary circumstances, the Secretary shall not consider an investigational new drug application to have been received under section 355(i)(2) of this title if—
          1. (I)the Secretary determines that the investigation is intended to support a biosimilar biological product application; and
          2. (II)the sponsor has failed to pay an initial or annual biosimilar biological product development fee for the product as required under subparagraph (A) or (B), or a reactivation fee as required under subparagraph (D).
        3. (iii)Financial holdNotwithstanding section 355(i)(2) of this title, except in extraordinary circumstances, the Secretary shall prohibit the sponsor of a clinical investigation from continuing the investigation if—
          1. (I)the Secretary determines that the investigation is intended to support a biosimilar biological product application; and
          2. (II)the sponsor has failed to pay an initial or annual biosimilar biological product development fee for the product as required under subparagraph (A) or (B), or a reactivation fee for the product as required under subparagraph (D).
        4. (iv)No acceptance of biosimilar biological product applications or supplementsIf a person has failed to pay an initial or annual biosimilar biological product development fee as required under subparagraph (A) or (B), or a reactivation fee as required under subparagraph (D), any biosimilar biological product application or supplement submitted by that person shall be considered incomplete and shall not be accepted for filing by the Secretary until all such fees owed by such person have been paid.
        5. (v)Administrative removal from the biosimilar biological product development programIf a person has failed to pay an annual biosimilar biological product development fee for a product as required under subparagraph (B) for a period of 2 consecutive fiscal years, the Secretary may administratively remove such person from the biosimilar biological product development program for the product. At least 30 days prior to administratively removing a person from the biosimilar biological product development program for a product under this clause, the Secretary shall provide written notice to such person of the intended administrative removal.
      6. (F)Limits regarding fees
        1. (i)RefundsExcept as provided in subparagraph (B)(iv), the Secretary shall not refund any initial or annual biosimilar biological product development fee paid under subparagraph (A) or (B), or any reactivation fee paid under subparagraph (D).
        2. (ii)No waivers, exemptions, or reductionsThe Secretary shall not grant a waiver, exemption, or reduction of any initial or annual biosimilar biological product development fee due or payable under subparagraph (A) or (B), or any reactivation fee due or payable under subparagraph (D).
    2. (2)Biosimilar biological product application fee
      1. (A)In generalEach person that submits, on or after October 1, 2017, a biosimilar biological product application shall be subject to the following fees:
        1. (i)A fee established under subsection (c)(5) for a biosimilar biological product application for which clinical data (other than comparative bioavailability studies) with respect to safety or effectiveness are required for approval.
        2. (ii)A fee established under subsection (c)(5) for a biosimilar biological product application for which clinical data (other than comparative bioavailability studies) with respect to safety or effectiveness are not required for approval. Such fee shall be equal to half of the amount of the fee described in clause (i).
      2. (B)Rule of applicability; treatment of certain previously paid feesAny person who pays a fee under subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) of paragraph (1) for a product before October 1, 2017, but submits a biosimilar biological product application for that product after such date, shall—
        1. (i)be subject to any biosimilar biological product application fees that may be assessed at the time when such biosimilar biological product application is submitted; and
        2. (ii)be entitled to no reduction of such application fees based on the amount of fees paid for that product before October 1, 2017, under such subparagraph (A), (B), or (D).
      3. (C)Payment due dateAny fee required by subparagraph (A) shall be due upon submission of the application for which such fee applies.
      4. (D)Exception for previously filed applicationIf a biosimilar biological product application was submitted by a person that paid the fee for such application, was accepted for filing, and was not approved or was withdrawn prior to approval (without a waiver), the submission of a biosimilar biological product application for the same product by the same person (or the person’s licensee, assignee, or successor) shall not be subject to a fee under subparagraph (A).
      5. (E)Refund of application fee if application refused for filing or withdrawn before filingThe Secretary shall refund 75 percent of the fee paid under this paragraph for any application which is refused for filing or withdrawn without a waiver before filing.
      6. (F)Fees for applications previously refused for filing or withdrawn before filingA biosimilar biological product application that was submitted but was refused for filing, or was withdrawn before being accepted or refused for filing, shall be subject to the full fee under subparagraph (A) upon being resubmitted or filed over protest, unless the fee is waived under subsection (d).
    3. (3)Biosimilar biological product program fee
      1. (A)In generalEach person who is named as the applicant in a biosimilar biological product application shall pay the annual biosimilar biological product program fee established for a fiscal year under subsection (c)(5) for each biosimilar biological product that—
        1. (i)is identified in such a biosimilar biological product application approved as of October 1 of such fiscal year;
        2. (ii)may be dispensed only under prescription pursuant to section 353(b) of this title; and
        3. (iii)as of October 1 of such fiscal year, does not appear on a list, developed and maintained by the Secretary, of discontinued biosimilar biological products.
      2. (B)Due dateThe biosimilar biological product program fee for a fiscal year shall be due on the later of—
        1. (i)the first business day on or after October 1 of each such year; or
        2. (ii)the first business day after the enactment of an appropriations Act providing for the collection and obligation of fees for such year under this section.
      3. (C)One fee per product per yearThe biosimilar biological product program fee shall be paid only once for each product for each fiscal year.
      4. (D)LimitationA person who is named as the applicant in a biosimilar biological product application shall not be assessed more than 5 biosimilar biological product program fees for a fiscal year for biosimilar biological products identified in such biosimilar biological product application.
      5. (E)Movement to discontinued list
        1. (i)Date of inclusionIf a written request to place a product on the list referenced in subparagraph (A) of discontinued biosimilar biological products is submitted to the Secretary on behalf of an applicant, and the request identifies the date the product is, or will be, withdrawn from sale, then for purposes of assessing the biosimilar biological product program fee, the Secretary shall consider such product to have been included on such list on the later of—
          1. (I)the date such request was received; or
          2. (II)if the product will be withdrawn from sale on a future date, such future date when the product is withdrawn from sale.
        2. (ii)Treatment as withdrawn from saleFor purposes of clause (i), a product shall be considered withdrawn from sale once the applicant has ceased its own distribution of the product, whether or not the applicant has ordered recall of all previously distributed lots of the product, except that a routine, temporary interruption in supply shall not render a product withdrawn from sale.
        3. (iii)Special rule for products removed from discontinued listIf a biosimilar biological product that is identified in a biosimilar biological product application approved as of October 1 of a fiscal year appears, as of October 1 of such fiscal year, on the list referenced in subparagraph (A) of discontinued biosimilar biological products, and on any subsequent day during such fiscal year the biosimilar biological product does not appear on such list, except as provided in subparagraph (D), each person who is named as the applicant in a biosimilar biological product application with respect to such product shall pay the annual biosimilar biological product program fee established for a fiscal year under subsection (c)(5) for such biosimilar biological product. Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), such fee shall be due on the last business day of such fiscal year and shall be paid only once for each such product for each fiscal year.
  2. (b)Fee revenue amounts
    1. (1)In generalFor each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027, fees under subsection (a) shall, except as provided in subsection (c), be established to generate a total revenue amount equal to the sum of—
      1. (A)the annual base revenue for the fiscal year (as determined under paragraph (3));
      2. (B)the dollar amount equal to the inflation adjustment for the fiscal year (as determined under subsection (c)(1));
      3. (C)the dollar amount equal to the strategic hiring and retention adjustment (as determined under subsection (c)(2));
      4. (D)the dollar amount equal to the capacity planning adjustment for the fiscal year (as determined under subsection (c)(3));
      5. (E)the dollar amount equal to the operating reserve adjustment for the fiscal year, if applicable (as determined under subsection (c)(4));
      6. (F)for fiscal year 2023 an additional amount of $4,428,886; and
      7. (G)for fiscal year 2024 an additional amount of $320,569.
    2. (2)Allocation of revenue amount among fees
      1. (A)AllocationThe Secretary shall determine the percentage of the total revenue amount for a fiscal year to be derived from, respectively—
        1. (i)initial and annual biosimilar biological product development fees and reactivation fees under subsection (a)(1);
        2. (ii)biosimilar biological product application fees under subsection (a)(2); and
        3. (iii)biosimilar biological product program fees under subsection (a)(3).
      2. (B)Biosimilar biological product development feesThe initial biosimilar biological product development fee under subsection (a)(1)(A) for a fiscal year shall be equal to the annual biosimilar biological product development fee under subsection (a)(1)(B) for that fiscal year.
      3. (C)Reactivation feeThe reactivation fee under subsection (a)(1)(D) for a fiscal year shall be equal to twice the amount of the annual biosimilar biological product development fee under subsection (a)(1)(B) for that fiscal year.
    3. (3)Annual base revenueFor purposes of paragraph (1), the dollar amount of the annual base revenue for a fiscal year shall be—
      1. (A)for fiscal year 2023, $43,376,922; and
      2. (B)for fiscal years 2024 through 2027, the dollar amount of the total revenue amount established under paragraph (1) for the previous fiscal year, excluding any adjustments to such revenue amount under subsection (c)(4).
  3. (c)Adjustments; annual fee setting
    1. (1)Inflation adjustment
      1. (A)In generalFor purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B), the dollar amount of the inflation adjustment to the annual base revenue for each fiscal year shall be equal to the product of—
        1. (i)such annual base revenue for the fiscal year under subsection (b)(1)(A); and
        2. (ii)the inflation adjustment percentage under subparagraph (B).
      2. (B)Inflation adjustment percentageThe inflation adjustment percentage under this subparagraph for a fiscal year is equal to the sum of—
        1. (i)the average annual percent change in the cost, per full-time equivalent position of the Food and Drug Administration, of all personnel compensation and benefits paid with respect to such positions for the first 3 years of the preceding 4 fiscal years, multiplied by the proportion of personnel compensation and benefits costs to total costs of the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications (as defined in section 379j–51(13) of this title) for the first 3 years of the preceding 4 fiscal years; and
        2. (ii)the average annual percent change that occurred in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV; Not Seasonally Adjusted; All items; Annual Index) for the first 3 years of the preceding 4 years of available data multiplied by the proportion of all costs other than personnel compensation and benefits costs to total costs of the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications (as defined in section 379j–51(13) of this title) for the first 3 years of the preceding 4 fiscal years.
    2. (2)Strategic hiring and retention adjustmentFor each fiscal year, after the annual base revenue under subsection (b)(1)(A) is adjusted for inflation in accordance with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall further increase the fee revenue and fees by $150,000.
    3. (3)Capacity planning adjustment
      1. (A)In generalFor each fiscal year, the Secretary shall, in addition to the adjustments under paragraphs (1) and (2), further adjust the fee revenue and fees under this section for a fiscal year to reflect changes in the resource capacity needs of the Secretary for the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications.
      2. (B)MethodologyFor purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall employ the capacity planning methodology utilized by the Secretary in setting fees for fiscal year 2021, as described in the notice titled “Biosimilar User Fee Rates for Fiscal Year 2021” published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2020 (85 Fed. Reg. 47220). The workload categories used in applying such methodology in forecasting shall include only the activities described in that notice and, as feasible, additional activities that are directly related to the direct review of biosimilar biological product applications and supplements, including additional formal meeting types, the direct review of postmarketing commitments and requirements, the direct review of risk evaluation and mitigation strategies, and the direct review of annual reports for approved biosimilar biological products. Subject to the exceptions in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall not include as workload categories in applying such methodology in forecasting any non-core review activities, including those activities that the Secretary referenced for potential future use in such notice but did not utilize in setting fees for fiscal year 2021.
      3. (C)LimitationsUnder no circumstances shall an adjustment under this paragraph result in fee revenue for a fiscal year that is less than the sum of the amounts under subsections (b)(1)(A) (the annual base revenue for the fiscal year), (b)(1)(B) (the dollar amount of the inflation adjustment for the fiscal year), and (b)(1)(C) (the dollar amount of the strategic hiring and retention adjustment).
      4. (D)Publication in Federal RegisterThe Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice under paragraph (5) the fee revenue and fees resulting from the adjustment and the methodologies under this paragraph.
    4. (4)Operating reserve adjustment
      1. (A)IncreaseFor fiscal year 2023 and subsequent fiscal years, the Secretary shall, in addition to adjustments under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), further increase the fee revenue and fees if such an adjustment is necessary to provide for at least 10 weeks of operating reserves of carryover user fees for the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications.
      2. (B)Decrease
        1. (i)Fiscal year 2023For fiscal year 2023, if the Secretary has carryover balances for such process in excess of 33 weeks of such operating reserves, the Secretary shall decrease such fee revenue and fees to provide for not more than 33 weeks of such operating reserves.
        2. (ii)Fiscal year 2024For fiscal year 2024, if the Secretary has carryover balances for such process in excess of 27 weeks of such operating reserves, the Secretary shall decrease such fee revenue and fees to provide for not more than 27 weeks of such operating reserves.
        3. (iii)Fiscal year 2025 and subsequent fiscal yearsFor fiscal year 2025 and subsequent fiscal years, if the Secretary has carryover balances for such process in excess of 21 weeks of such operating reserves, the Secretary shall decrease such fee revenue and fees to provide for not more than 21 weeks of such operating reserves.
      3. (C)Federal Register noticeIf an adjustment under subparagraph (A) or (B) is made, the rationale for the amount of the increase or decrease (as applicable) in fee revenue and fees shall be contained in the annual Federal Register notice under paragraph (5)(B) establishing fee revenue and fees for the fiscal year involved.
    5. (5)Annual fee settingFor fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall, not later than 60 days before the start of each such fiscal year—
      1. (A)establish, for the fiscal year, initial and annual biosimilar biological product development fees and reactivation fees under subsection (a)(1), biosimilar biological product application fees under subsection (a)(2), and biosimilar biological product program fees under subsection (a)(3), based on the revenue amounts established under subsection (b) and the adjustments provided under this subsection; and
      2. (B)publish such fee revenue and fees in the Federal Register.
    6. (6)LimitThe total amount of fees assessed for a fiscal year under this section may not exceed the total costs for such fiscal year for the resources allocated for the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications.
  4. (d)Application fee waiver for small business
    1. (1)Waiver of application feeThe Secretary shall grant to a person who is named in a biosimilar biological product application a waiver from the application fee assessed to that person under subsection (a)(2)(A) for the first biosimilar biological product application that a small business or its affiliate submits to the Secretary for review. After a small business or its affiliate is granted such a waiver, the small business or its affiliate shall pay application fees for all subsequent biosimilar biological product applications submitted to the Secretary for review in the same manner as an entity that is not a small business.
    2. (2)ConsiderationsIn determining whether to grant a waiver of a fee under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider only the circumstances and assets of the applicant involved and any affiliate of the applicant.
    3. (3)Small business definedIn this subsection, the term “small business” means an entity that has fewer than 500 employees, including employees of affiliates, and does not have a drug product that has been approved under a human drug application (as defined in section 379g of this title) or a biosimilar biological product application (as defined in section 379j–51(4) of this title) and introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce.
  5. (e)Effect of failure to pay feesA biosimilar biological product application or supplement submitted by a person subject to fees under subsection (a) shall be considered incomplete and shall not be accepted for filing by the Secretary until all such fees owed by such person have been paid.
  6. (f)Crediting and availability of fees
    1. (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), fees authorized under subsection (a) shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Such fees are authorized to remain available until expended. Such sums as may be necessary may be transferred from the Food and Drug Administration salaries and expenses appropriation account without fiscal year limitation to such appropriation account for salaries and expenses with such fiscal year limitation. The sums transferred shall be available solely for the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications.
    2. (2)Collections and appropriation Acts
      1. (A)In generalSubject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the fees authorized by this section shall be collected and available in each fiscal year in an amount not to exceed the amount specified in appropriation Acts, or otherwise made available for obligation for such fiscal year.
      2. (B)Use of fees and limitations
        1. (i)In generalThe fees authorized by this section shall be available—
          1. (I)for fiscal year 2023, to defray the costs of the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications (including such costs for an additional number of full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Health and Human Services to be engaged in such process), only if the Secretary allocates for such purpose an amount for such fiscal year (excluding amounts from fees collected under this section) no less than $20,000,000, multiplied by the adjustment factor applicable to such fiscal year; and
          2. (II)for fiscal year 2024 and each subsequent fiscal year, to defray the costs of the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications (including such costs for an additional number of full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Health and Human Services to be engaged in such process), only if the sum of the amounts allocated by the Secretary for such costs, excluding costs paid from fees collected under this section, plus other costs for the maintenance, renovation, and repair of facilities and acquisition, maintenance, and repair of fixtures, furniture, and other necessary materials and supplies in connection with the process for the review of biosimilar biological product applications, is no less than $20,000,000, multiplied by the adjustment factor applicable to the fiscal year involved.
        2. (ii)Leasing and necessary equipmentBeginning on October 1, 2023, the authorities under section 379j–51(9)(C) of this title shall include only leasing and necessary scientific equipment.
      3. (C)ComplianceThe Secretary shall be considered to have met the requirements of subparagraph (B)(i) in any fiscal year if the costs allocated as described in subclause (I) or (II) of such subparagraph, as applicable, are not more than 15 percent below the level specified in such subparagraph.
      4. (D)Provision for early paymentsPayment of fees authorized under this section for a fiscal year, prior to the due date for such fees, may be accepted by the Secretary in accordance with authority provided in advance in a prior year appropriations Act.
    3. (3)Authorization of appropriationsFor each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, there is authorized to be appropriated for fees under this section an amount equivalent to the total amount of fees assessed for such fiscal year under this section.
  7. (g)Collection of unpaid feesIn any case where the Secretary does not receive payment of a fee assessed under subsection (a) within 30 days after it is due, such fee shall be treated as a claim of the United States Government subject to subchapter II of chapter 37 of title 31.
  8. (h)Written requests for waivers and returns; disputes concerning feesTo qualify for consideration for a waiver under subsection (d), or for the return of any fee paid under this section, including if the fee is claimed to have been paid in error, a person shall submit to the Secretary a written request justifying such waiver or return and, except as otherwise specified in this section, such written request shall be submitted to the Secretary not later than 180 days after such fee is due. A request submitted under this paragraph shall include any legal authorities under which the request is made.
  9. (i)ConstructionThis section may not be construed to require that the number of full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Health and Human Services, for officers, employers, and advisory committees not engaged in the process of the review of biosimilar biological product applications, be reduced to offset the number of officers, employees, and advisory committees so engaged.