FDA unveils first phase of Transparency Initiative

The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has unveiled the first phase of its Transparency Initiative that is designed to explain agency operations, how it makes decisions, and the drug approval process.

During an online presentation, the chair of the FDA's Transparency Task Force, principal deputy FDA commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, described a web-based curriculum called FDA Basics, aimed at helping the public better understand what the agency does.

The curriculum is accessible via a link on the FDA website.

The Transparency Initiative was launched in response to the Obama Administration's commitment to an unprecedented level of openness in Government and with the strong support of the Department of Health and Human Services.

"This initiative will make information about the FDA more user-friendly and accessible to the public,"said Dr. Hamburg.

"It fosters a better understanding about what we do."

"The launch of FDA Basicsis our first step towards making FDA a more transparent agency,"said Dr. Sharfstein.