[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20082]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Request for Nominations for Members on Public Advisory 
Committees; Science Board to the Food and Drug Administration

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting 
nominations for members to serve on the Science Board to the Food and 
Drug Administration (the board) administered from FDA's Office of 
Science. Nominations will be accepted for upcoming vacancies that may 
or will occur on the board during the next 24 months.
     FDA has a special interest in ensuring that women, minority 
groups, and individuals with disabilities are adequately represented on 
advisory committees, and therefore, extends particular encouragement to 
nominations for appropriately qualified female, minority, or physically 
disabled candidates. Final selections from among qualified candidates 
for each vacancy will be determined by the expertise required to meet 
specific agency needs and in a manner to ensure appropriate balance of 
membership.
DATES: All nominations must be received by September 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All nominations for membership and curricula vitae from 
academia, industry, and government, except for general public 
representatives (consumer-nominated members), should be sent to Susan 
K. Meadows (address below). All nominations for general public 
representatives (consumer-nominated members) should be sent to Annette 
J. Funn (address below).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Regarding all nominations for membership, except for general public 
representatives: Susan K. Meadows, Office of Science (HF-32), Food and 
Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-
4591.
    Regarding all nominations for general public representatives: 
Annette J. Funn, Office of Consumer Affairs (HFE-88), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-5006.

 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  FDA is requesting nominations for members 
to serve on the board for upcoming vacancies that may or will occur on 
the board during the next 24 months.

Function

    The function of the board is to provide advice primarily to the 
agency's Senior Science Advisor and, as needed, to the Commissioner of 
Food and Drugs and other appropriate officials on specific complex and 
technical issues as well as emerging issues within the scientific 
community in academia and industry. Additionally, the board provides 
advice to the agency on keeping pace with technical and scientific 
evolutions in the field of regulatory science, on formulating an 
appropriate research agenda and on upgrading its scientific and 
research facilities to keep pace with these changes. The board also 
provides the means for critical review of agency-sponsored intramural 
and extramural scientific research programs.

Criteria for Members

    Persons nominated for membership shall have exceptional 
accomplishments and expertise in science, or executive level experience 
in scientific programmatic or laboratory management involving 
scientific endeavors appropriate to the work of the board and the 
interests of FDA. Disciplines or expertise of particular interest 
include biomedical technology with application to medical devices, 
biologics and vaccine development and research, and genetics. The term 
of office is 4 years.

General Public Representatives (Consumer-nominated Members)

    FDA currently attempts to place members on advisory committees who 
are nominated by consumer organizations. These members are recommended 
by a consortium of 12 consumer organizations that has the 
responsibility for screening, interviewing, and recommending consumer-
nominated candidates with appropriate scientific credentials. 
Candidates are sought who are aware of the consumer impact of committee 
issues, but who also possess enough technical background to understand 
and contribute to the committee's work. The agency notes, however, that 
for some advisory committees, it may require such nominees to meet the 
same technical qualifications and specialized training required of 
other expert members of the committee. The term of office for these 
members is up to 4 years, depending on the appointment date. 
Nominations are invited for consideration for membership as openings 
become available.

Nomination Procedures

    Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons 
for membership on the board. Nominations shall state that the nominee 
is aware of the nomination, is willing to serve as a member of the 
board, and appears to have no conflict of interest that would preclude 
board membership. Potential candidates will be asked by FDA to provide 
detailed information concerning such matters as financial holdings, 
consultancies, and research grants or contracts in order to permit 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
     This notice is issued under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. app. 2) and 21 CFR part 14, relating to advisory committees.

    Dated: July 24, 1997.
Michael A. Friedman,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-20082 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
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