Rare Disease folks, the FDA wants to hear from you!

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Wants to Hear From You!

Vision 2006 - A Conversation with the American Public

The FDA will be holding a series of public meetings nationwide and they want to hear from you and the entire rare disease community. The meetings in Miami, FL, Boston, MA, and Phoenix, AZ, will focus on five agency programs or initiatives - drug safety, direct-to-consumer advertising, dietary supplements, the Critical Path initiative, and the advisory committee process and how potential conflicts of interest are managed. These meetings will be your opportunity to get a firsthand update on current FDA programs, and to interact with Dr. Lester Crawford, Commissioner of the FDA, along with the agency's top leadership and leading scientists.

The FDA is asking you to consider the following questions:

What information do you expect to receive from the FDA regarding the benefits and risks of new food and medical products?

Where do you currently get information about these products, and how beneficial is this information in helping to inform the decisions you make?

What additional information, if any, do you believe should be provided to enable you to discuss with your physician or other healthcare provider the benefits and risks of products for a health condition you have or think you might have?

What additional steps can the FDA take to improve its communication with consumers and build on your confidence in its activities and its mission?

Click if you're interested in learning more about Vision 2006.

The Federal Register notice will provide the information you'll need to submit comments (due November 30, 2005) or to register to make a presentation or attend one of the three meetings.

September 13, 2005
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Miami, FL
Intercontinental West Miami
2505 Northwest 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33172

November 2, 2005
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This location has reached its limit of registrants and is now closed.
Boston, MA
Boston Marriott Cambridge
2 Cambridge Center (Broadway and 3rd St.)
Cambridge, MA 02142

November 30, 2005
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Airport Marriott
1101 North 44th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008

Register Online!
http://www.grad.usda.gov/vision