*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 1991.05.15 : Advisory Committee on FDA Final Report Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 245-6343 May 15, 1991 The Advisory Committee on the Food and Drug Administration today delivered its final report to HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. The final report includes 29 broad recommendations aimed at strengthening FDA resources and management and helping the agency carry out expanded missions in the coming years. "I welcome this report and strongly endorse many of its recommendations," Secretary Sullivan said. "In many respects, the deliberations of the advisory committee will help guide our efforts to improve FDA for many years to come." Delivering the report to Dr. Sullivan and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health James O. Mason, M.D., Chairman Charles C. Edwards, M.D., said, "The committee's report provides what we firmly believe to be a sound strategy for revitalizing the FDA." The advisory committee was named by Secretary Sullivan in March 1990 to review the FDA's mission, structure, priorities, staffing and budget. In accepting the report, Secretary Sullivan said that "many bold and ambitious developments have occurred at FDA over the past year. FDA is on the right course and will continue to move forward, because of the changes we are now making and those that will come about as a result of the committee's report." - More - - 2 - Among the steps already taken, Dr. Sullivan cited strengthened enforcement capabilities, increased budget and staffing resources, new action to ensure truth in food and drug labeling and advertising, and new procedures for improving liaison between industry and regulators, including steps to speed the review of potentially beneficial new drugs. HHS will begin a review of the recommendations immediately, the Secretary said, but added that "although I have only officially received this report today, I can, at first glance, agree with many of its recommendations." He cited: -- Recommendations on the definition and statement of FDA goals. -- Recommendations on management of the agency, including clarifying the roles of FDA's organizational components; assisting senior scientists in improving management skills; and improving management information systems. -- Recommendations on upgrading and consolidating FDA facilities. For the near term, the Secretary said he will ask FDA Commissioner David Kessler, M.D., to create "a priority plan for dealing with the repair and upgrading of certain facilities over the next five years." -- Recommendations for further strengthening enforcement of FDA regulations. Dr. Sullivan said "FDA could benefit from some legislative enhancements in the enforcement area," and said a proposed bill adding to FDA's enforcement tools is being developed by the administration. ###