Transparency task force receives hundreds of comments

FDA is wading through more than 900 comments on its new transparency initiative following the task force's inaugural meeting in June. The initiative aims to identify more effective ways to explain controversial agency decisions to the public, including those relating to device recalls, enforcement actions, product approvals and other agency operations ("The Silver Sheet" June 2009). After an initial flood of comments from consumers, patients, health care professionals, industry and others, FDA reopened the comment period until Nov. 6, ahead of a second task force meeting scheduled for fall. FDA will draw on the comments as it prepares to report findings and recommendations to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg by January