[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31074-31075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10737]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Request for Nominations for Voting Members on a Public Advisory 
Committee; Risk Communication Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting 
nominations for members to serve on the Risk Communication Advisory 
Committee in the Office of Planning, Office of the Commissioner. 
Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a 
document announcing the establishment of this committee.
    FDA has special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, 
and individuals with disabilities are adequately represented on 
advisory committees and, therefore, encourages nominations of qualified 
candidates from these groups.

DATES: Nominations received on or before July 20, 2007 will be given 
first consideration for membership on the Risk Communication Advisory 
Committee. Nominations received after July 20, 2007 will be considered 
for nomination to the Risk Communication Advisory Committee should 
nominees still be needed.

ADDRESSES: All nominations for membership should be sent to the contact 
person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 
document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding all nomination questions for 
membership, the primary contact is Lee Zwanziger, Office of Planning, 
Office of the Commissioner (HFP-1), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-2895, FAX: 301-827-5260, e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FDA is requesting nominations for voting 
members on the Risk Communication Advisory Committee.

I. Function of the Risk Communication Advisory Committee

    The committee advises the Commissioner of Food and Drugs on 
strategies and programs designed to communicate with the public about 
both the risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products so as to 
facilitate optimal use of these products. The committee also reviews 
and evaluates research relevant to such communication to the public by 
both FDA and other entities. It also facilitates interactively sharing 
risk and benefit information with the public to enable people to make 
informed independent judgments about use of FDA-regulated products.

II. Criteria for Voting Members

A. Experts

    Persons nominated for membership must have scientific expertise or 
extensive experience in one or more of the following fields: Risk 
communication; risk perception; social marketing; communications; 
cognitive, social, health, behavioral, or other relevant specialties of 
psychology or sociology; decision analysis; qualitative or quantitative 
research methodology; health literacy; cultural competency; journalism; 
and/or biomedical ethics.

B. Public Members

    Persons nominated for membership on the committee to provide a 
perspective from real-world experience on the communication needs of 
the various groups who use FDA-regulated products must have the 
following skills: (1) Ability to communicate the interests and 
perspectives of consumers, patients, patient-caregivers, or health 
professionals; (2) ability to discuss benefits and risks; and (3) 
ability to understand the results of research studies. In addition, 
preference will be given to nominees who have one or more of the 
following qualifications: (1) Ability to analyze technical data; (2) 
understanding of research design; (3) ability to disseminate 
information about the advisory committee experience to the community; 
and (4) ties to a consumer, patient, and/or community-based 
organization. As a member of the Risk Communication Advisory Committee, 
these individuals will serve in their individual capacities. However, 
we expect that they can also serve as conduits between FDA and the 
general public. Nominated individuals may include patients and 
patients' family members, health professionals, communicators in 
health, medicine, and science, and persons affiliated with consumer, 
specific disease, or patient safety advocacy groups.

III. Nomination Procedures

    Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons 
for membership on the advisory committee. Self-nominations are also 
accepted. Nominations must include a current resume or curriculum vitae 
of each

[[Page 31075]]

nominee, including current business address, telephone number, and e-
mail address if available. Nominations must also acknowledge that the 
nominee is aware of the nomination, is willing to serve as a member, 
and appears to have no conflict of interest that would preclude 
membership. FDA will ask the potential candidates to provide detailed 
information concerning matters related to financial holdings, 
employment, and research grants and/or contracts.
    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: May 28, 2007.
Randall W. Lutter,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E7-10737 Filed 6-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S