[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16472-16473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8200]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Public Input on Public Health; Open Public Forum
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meetings.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Consumer
Affairs and Office of Regulatory Affairs, Pacific Region, is announcing
a series of open public forums entitled: ``Public Input on Public
Health, FDA Listens to You, A Town Hall Meeting.'' The purpose of the
forums is to provide an opportunity for FDA's primary stakeholders,
U.S. consumers, to have an open dialogue with FDA's senior policy
makers about their consumer protection concerns. FDA plans to use the
information in the development of the Pacific Region Strategic Plan and
in the development of FDA's nation wide priorities. Under the FDA
Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA), FDA was mandated by Congress to have
ongoing consultations with its stakeholders on how FDA can best meet
their regulatory requirements and to protect the public health. Two
issues of particular concern, this year, are strengthening the science
base of the agency and improving risk-based communication with the
public.
DATES: Send registration and requests for oral presentations by May 5,
1999. See Table 1 in section II of this document for a complete
schedule of all the meetings.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the specific contact person. See
Table 1 in section II of this document for a complete listing of
meeting locations and contact persons.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For general information: James Rowell or Patricia Alexander, Food
and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 16-75, Rockville, MD
20857, 301-827-4414 or 301-827-4391, FAX 301-443-9767.
For specific meeting information: See Table 1 in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document.
Supplementary Information:
I. Background
FDA is a science based consumer protection agency responsible for
ensuring that: (1) Foods are safe, wholesome and sanitary; (2) human
and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices are safe
and effective; (3) cosmetics and electronic products that emit
radiation are safe. FDA also ensures that these regulated products are
honestly and accurately labeled and in compliance with applicable laws
and regulations. FDA strives to maximize public health protection while
reducing regulatory burdens.
Public participation in these forums will provide an essential
ingredient to the achievement of the Pacific Region's intermediate and
long range strategic planning goals. Additional benefits include: (1)
Providing the opportunity to hear directly from consumers their
concerns about health and policy issues, (2) reaching out to a broad
representation of community based and consumer organizations to reach
the full diversity of consumers, (3) using the information gained at
these forums in FDA's decisionmaking process, (4) obtaining information
necessary for the development of innovative programs to raise public
awareness, (5) fostering communication among local agencies, both
public and private, in order to more effectively respond to the
public's need for information that empowers them in making health
related decisions, and (6) encouraging individuals to take personal
responsibility for protecting their own health.
II. Scheduled Meetings
The open public forums will be held in several locations throughout
the country. The scheduled date and time, location, and specific
contact person for each meeting is listed in Table 1 as follows:
Table 1.--Meeting Schedules and Contacts for Registration
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Date Time Place Address Contact
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Wednesday, May 12, 1999 10 a.m. to 1 Elihu Harris State 1515 Clay St., Mary Ellen Taylor at
p.m. Office Bldg. Oakland, CA. 510-337-6888, FAX 510-
Auditorium. 337-6708
[[Page 16473]]
4 p.m. to 7 Elihu Harris State 1515 Clay St., Mary Ellen Taylor at
p.m. Office Bldg. Oakland, CA. 510-337-6888, FAX 510-
Auditorium. 337-6708
Friday, May 14, 1999 10 a.m. to 3 California Science Figueroa and 39th Rosario Vior at 949-
p.m. Center, Donald P. Sts., Los Angeles, 798-7607, FAX 949-798-
Loker Conference CA, (next to the Los 7715
Center. Angeles Coliseum).
Monday, May 17, 1999 1 p.m. to 4 Portland State 724 SW. Harrison St., Alan Bennett at 503-
p.m. University, Smith rm. 294, Portland, OR. 671-9711, ext. 22 FAX
Memorial Center. 503-671-9711
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III. Registration and Requests for Oral Presentations
Send registration information (including name, title, firm name,
address, telephone, and fax number) and requests to make oral
presentations to the registration contact person listed in Table 1 of
section II of this document by Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
Written comments and questions concerning the meetings may also be
submitted to the specific registration contact person listed for each
meeting in Table 1. If you need special accommodations due to a
disability, please contact the registration contact person at least 7
days in advance.
IV. Transcripts
Transcripts of the meeting may be requested in writing from the
Freedom of Information Office (HFI-35), Food and Drug Administration,
rm. 12A-16, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, approximately 15
working days after the meeting at a cost of 10 cents per page.
Dated: March 29, 1999.
William K. Hubbard,
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 99-8200 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
