Previous to these initiatives, the FDA was seen as a âblack boxâ that made important decisions that impacted many people without explanations. The blog and docket now have more than 1,380 comments.
The FDA also has a web resource called âFDA Basicsâ that gives the public lots of information about the agency and how it works, such as the products it regulates. âFDA Basicsâ incorporates 7 short videos explaining product recalls and other various FDA activities.
Visitors to âFDA Basicsâ are able to comment on how useful the site was and are able to make suggestions. This web resource has received almost 1,400 comments already and these suggestions are being considered for revisions and updates.
Another initiative that the FDA has started that began in February was a webinar series. Each month a senior official from the FDA holds a 30-minute webinar about a specific topic.
The reaction to these webinars has been overwhelmingly positive. One blog post read, âthe initiative can go a long way toward educating the public about what FDA does-and how-also provide industry with real-time answers to their daily challenges, ultimately improving product quality and patient safety.â