> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# FDA Mulls New ‘Patient Affairs’ Office
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-mulls-new-patient-affairs-office/
- Published: 2017-03-13T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T22:11:15.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5138179

FDA is seeking comments on its ongoing efforts to enhance mechanisms for patient engagement at the agency, including establishing a new Office of Patient Affairs. The agency says this concept was suggested in earlier public feedback received under patient engagement meetings mandated under the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

An [FDA notice](https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-04982.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com) says the new office would be “tasked with supporting and coordinating patient engagement activities across medical product centers and other offices that engage with patients and their advocates on matters pertaining to medical products.” Its responsibilities would:

- Offer a single, central agency entry for the patient community
- Provide triage and navigation services for inbound inquiries from patient stakeholders
- Maintain data management systems that would formalize knowledge shared with FDA by patient stakeholders and FDA's relationships with patient communities
- Develop a scalable and forward-looking platform for communicating with patient stakeholders, particularly online channels