FDA Radiological Health Program

In May 2004, the Center embarked on an effort to set a new direction for its Radiological Health Program. This direction will increase the Program’s relevance to, and impact on, the most pressing current public health problems in the radiological health arena, and anticipate the evolution of medical radiation systems. A Radiological Health Program Core Group was commissioned to consider all previous radiation health program studies and make recommendations for the program’s future

The Core Group submitted its report, The CDRH Radiological Health Program – Adapting to Current Public Health Needs to me recently and I have accepted it April 19, 2005 for implementation. The program changes are focused in five areas: Standards, Monitoring, Education, Research and Program Management. The benefits that we expect are that the new Program will:

• Align CDRH efforts with current and evolving public health needs,
• Expand focus on patient and consumer experience
• Allow for a more targeted approach to regulation,
• Increase information dissemination and training, and
• Improve coordination across the radiological health community.

These changes to the Radiological Health Program will offer exciting opportunities for us to have the impact we want on current and evolving public health problems. Offices have already begun some implementation and you can expect to hear more specific information at the Division and Branch levels soon. Please read the report and prepare to join in effecting this new Radiological Health Program as we move forward.