FDA Policy/General

Info Collection Extension for Social and Behavioral Research

Federal Register notice: FDA has submitted to OMB an information collection extension for “Data to Support Social and Behavioral Research as Used by the Food and Drug Administration” (OMB Control Number 0910-0847). FDA says it is important to understand patients, consumers, and healthcare professionals’ perceptions and behaviors to improve its regulatory decisionmaking processes and communications impacting various stakeholders. The methods used to achieve these goals include individual in-depth interviews, general public focus group interviews, intercept interviews, self-administered surveys, gatekeeper surveys, and focus group interviews. The methods used serve the narrowly defined need for direct and informal opinion on a specific topic and as a qualitative and quantitative research tool, and have two major purposes: 1. To obtain information that is useful for developing variables and measures for formulating the basic objectives of social and behavioral research, and 2. To assess the potential effectiveness of FDA communications, behavioral interventions and other materials in reaching and successfully communicating and addressing behavioral change with their intended audiences. FDA will use these methods to test and refine its ideas and to help develop communication and behavioral strategies research, but will generally conduct further research before making important decisions such as adopting new policies and allocating or redirecting significant resources to support these policies. To view the notice, click here.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome