VOL. 34   NO. 1January-February 2000

Features

Special Section: The Many Faces of Drug Studies

Experimental Treatments: Unapproved but Not Always Unavailable
Under an FDA program, patients with life-threatening diseases such as AIDS or cancer can receive promising "investigational" drugs before they are approved for general use.

The Healing Power of Placebos
The mind is a powerful thing, as proven by the number of patients whose conditions improve when given only a "dummy" pill as treatment.

Are Bioengineered Foods Safe?
Found in products ranging from spaghetti sauce to soft drinks, bioengineered food ingredients are becoming more and more prominent. In an interview with FDA Consumer, the agency's commissioner says that products on the market have passed FDA review and are safe.

Buying Drugs Online: It's Convenient and Private, but Beware of 'Rogue Sites'
Though the Internet can be a good place to buy prescription drugs and other health needs, consumers should watch out for illegal sites that sidestep traditional patient protections.

Joint Program Pools Food Research Resources
In suburban Washington, D.C., FDA and the University of Maryland are working together to improve food science and to educate nutrition and regulatory professionals.

Departments

Updates

The latest information on FDA-related issues, gathered from FDA Press Releases, Talk Papers, and other sources.

fda.gov

Places of interest on FDA's Website and other government and health-related sites.

Investigators' Reports

Selected cases illustrating regulatory and administrative actions--such as inspections, recalls, seizures, and court proceedings--by FDA's regional and district offices across the country

Summaries of Court Actions

Summaries of Court Actions will not appear in this issue of FDA Consumer, but will return in the March-April issue.

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