[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 13158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7017]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting Announcement

    The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) of the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the following 
meeting:

    Name: Preventing Birth Defects Due to Thalidomide Exposure.
    Time and date: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., March 26, 1997.
    Place: Sheraton Colony Square Hotel, 188 14th Street, NE, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30361.
    Status: Open to the public, limited only by the space available. 
The meeting room accommodates approximately 75 people. Registration 
is not required.
    Purpose: The meeting will enable academic and public health 
professionals to discuss strategies to prevent birth defects due to 
exposure to thalidomide and other human teratogens. Thalidomide, a 
potent human teratogen, is now available as an investigational drug 
in the USA. Although the drug is currently being considered for 
approval only for the treatment of leprosy, its potential 
applications appear to be numerous. This meeting will bring together 
leaders from the fields of birth defects research, clinical 
practice, bioethics, and public health to review existing strategies 
for limiting intrauterine exposure to human teratogens, and to 
discuss and provide individual input on new approaches for 
preventing birth defects due to future teratogens such as 
thalidomide.
    Matters to be discussed: Agenda items will include presentations 
on the following topics: (1) Assessment of the Accutane Pregnancy 
Prevention Program, (2) use and limitations of drug registries, (3) 
contraception efficacy, (4) ethical issues on teratogen exposure, 
and (5) measures to assure appropriate use of pharmaceuticals. Group 
discussions on strategies for health care provider education, 
patient education, and appropriate use of pharmaceuticals will 
follow the presentations. Written materials may be submitted to CDC 
until March 21, 1997, for distribution to meeting participants.
    Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate.
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dwight Jones, Division of Birth 
Defects and Developmental Disabilities, NCEH, CDC, 4770 Buford 
Highway, NE, M/S F-45, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, telephone 770/
488-7160, Fax 770/488-7197.

    Dated: March 13, 1997.
Carolyn J. Russell,
Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 97-7017 Filed 3-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P