[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