FDA Transparency Blog

The Sunlight Foundation ran a post (http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/2010/fda-holds-back/) stating that the FDA’s safety and efficacy reports for 9 of the 25 most prescribed drugs cannot be found online. When the agency’s documents are found online, they are in a not in a internet friendly, text-searchable format, but rather, in a highly-edited PDF document.
My blog post and thoughts about Sunlight Foundation’s findings can be found here (http://thedecisiontree.com/blog/?p=1111). One of my main concerns is that since pharmaceutical companies are allowed to direct advertising and marketing efforts at the public (e.g. television commercials), an easy-to-navigate, simple summary from an independent party, such as the FDA, is a crucial piece of consumer information.
Will the FDA’s new transparency effort improve the way the agency makes their drug safety and efficacy reviews available online?

I share some of @bmossop’s concerns. I look forward to some two way communication on this blog

I think FDA Basics is a good start, but I did not find information on the topic that I am most interested in (FDA handling of allergens).
The Webinar would be more helpful if the topics weren’t so narrow and tightly controlled (ex. – Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). I would much rather see a topic like “food safety” which would give the public more leeway to discuss issues that concern them. Also, the Webinar is targeted to bloggers, which I feel is too restrictive. I think it’s important that FDA allow the perhaps uncomfortable questions to be asked.
Some additional questions and topics that I would like to see discussed:
1) What are the ways in which FDA regulations are formed (ex. – citizen petitions, FDA initiated activity, federal law, public hearings, etc)? I am specifically interested in whether FDA has the authority to regulate allergens in drugs and cosmetics. I have heard FDA say that its authority only goes as far as federal law allows. Doesn’t FDA have the ability to go before Congress and ask for increased authority if necessary to protect the public health?
2) Is it currently legal for food to be genetically modified with an allergen that is not a “major food allergen” under the FALCPA (ex. – sesame, sunflower, celery, mustard)? If so, would such food be labeled as being modified?
I wish FDA would more actively participate in this blog, rather than being primarily in a listening mode. I sincerely would like to hear from FDA on some of the issues and questions that have been raised in this blog.

There is another resource where President Obama talks about transparency and open government as well.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/Open
Lots of information about how it is supposed to work.

love it when government goes online and participates in social media!

thanks. good information here.

Well the government has to come online, that’s where people are hanging around these days.

I love the website. Its easy and simple to navigate.
http://blogs.losethepoundsfast.com/120/5-sweet-foods-to-burn-belly-fat/

Totally agree. It’s good that the FDA have gradually crept out of the shadows.

You’re absolutely right….in order for government to connect with the people they’ve got to have an online presence. It’s such an uphill battle to try and change politics after years and years of the same old thing.

Thanks for the information, it was really useful. I was looking for it and I’ll be waiting for your next post.

Transparency is important for this project, but I probably think that some things will still be hidden from the public.

In my opinion it is a good ideea to reveal the basics of the FDA to common people. The FDA is important to everyone of us who is interested in medicine.
I would like to know what FDA has to say about weight loss supplements.
http://www.best-weightloss-supplement.com/

I would also like to see medical insurances hoping on board for more weight loss programs and support that include nutrition programs and fitness programs. Anything to support a healthier community. Also, for the FDA to evaluate more weight loss supplements, their safety and support those that are safe and effective.

I think it is important for the FDA to be more open as I am sure there has been money exchanging hands to keep drugs in the limelight.

I applaud the FDA for their on letting people know more about what and who they are. I have worked in the medical manufacturing business for many years now and getting information was always a challenge.

I wish more government in Europe could do the same! Great post!
Mary

Transparency in Gov’t is ALWAYS a good thing.
To the poster above, I don’t see insurance companies EVER paying for ANY type of weight loss program. Imagine what that would do to our premiums!

I am glad to see this keep it up.

The FDA transparency to regulated industries is one of my biggest concerns because food manufacrurea would be willing to keep as much information away from consumers as much as they would like.
The main reason for doing so would be to hide any problem or efects of their products that would be of concern to consumers. I hope the FDA would take this transparency issue very seriosely so that before one buys anything, the label should tell them what they ar buying.

thanks. good information here.

Hi

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and send my friends here to read it also.

Thanks again.

James

Good information. Thank You for Share

Questions and answers Thank you

Is there an update to this transparency Initiative? And if so where can I find it?
Regards
Seo

Thank you for the answer

Thank you for the answer The FDA transparency to regulated industries is one of my biggest concerns because ancientfaiths.com food manufacrurea would be willing to keep as much information away from consumers as much as they would like.