FDA seeks scientists and consumer representatives for advisory panels

Sept 30 (Reuters) – The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday launched a nationwide effort to recruit scientists, medical experts and consumer representatives to its advisory committees, which advise the agency on drugs, vaccines and other regulated products.

Here are few details:

• The agency is seeking candidates for current and expected vacancies in areas including oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurology, genetics and medical devices, it said.

• FDA advisory committees, which include physicians, researchers, statisticians, patient advocates and consumer representatives, review scientific evidence and make independent recommendations to the agency. Their recommendations are not binding on the regulator.

• “We are actively inviting people from across the country who are on the forefront of their fields,” acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said.

• The FDA will accept nominations on a continuing basis, including self-nominations. It set a November 15 deadline for consumer representatives and November 30 for scientific and other voting members to receive first consideration for current and near-term vacancies. Members may serve terms of up to four years.

• The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to Reuters questions on how many positions are vacant or how the recruitment effort compares with previous drives.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)