Jill Wechsler is ACT's Washington Correspondent
Research, Investigator Conduct Under Scrutiny
Ketek probe raises questions about research oversight by FDA, sponsors, and investigators.
CDER Gains Permanent Chief
Janet Woodcock is welcomed back as the director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
Research Disclosure Rules Raise Questions
FDA, NIH, and sponsors all struggle to implement complex registration and data access requirements.
Limited Resources Undermine FDA
The agency's 2008 budget fails to keep up with expanding programs, added safety concerns.
Changes and Challenges in the Year Ahead
FDA and sponsors implement FDAAA as pressure builds to curb drug prices and tweak the R&D process.
U.S. Departments and Offices
A comprehensive listing of U.S. departments and offices that includes the telephone numbers of directors, commissioners, and advisors.
FDA Hit for Poor Clinical Trial Oversight
Information systems and lax enforcement criticized as Congress expands trial disclosure requirements.
Medicare Drug Benefit Shapes Pharma R&D
Expanded access to drugs for seniors has increased demand, focusing more attention on medical costs.
Congress Approves User Fees, Safety Policies for FDA
Legislation Expands FDA Oversight, IT Systems
Additional testing and monitoring requirements promise many changes for pharma R&D.
New Policies to Increase Information on Trials
Journal editors and legislators expand the scope of clinical trial registration and results disclosure.
FDA Moves to Update Research Enterprise
High-quality programs needed to protect subjects, improve data, harmonize global trials, and manage costs.
Demand Grows for Comparative Studies
Added information to inform treatment decisions may drive up research costs for sponsors.
Trials for Pediatrics and Proteins Under Debate
Policy makers discuss incentives for trials on children and for generic versions of biotech therapies.
Pressure Mounts to Streamline Trials
Drug safety concerns, unproductive methods, and high costs encourage innovative study designs and collaborative efforts.
Central vs. Local: Rethinking IRBs
Regulators and sponsors encourage alternative review models to fit a growing research enterprise.
Clinical Research Faces Scrutiny in Year Ahead
Shift in Congressional control opens door to probes into research practices & expansion of PDUFA legislation.
FDA Updates Oversight, Encourages Innovation
A changing research enterprise requires clearer policies and more effective regulatory tactics.
Experts Urge Major Overhaul at FDA
Under IOM's plan, a "lifecycle approach" to drug evaluation would change FDA's pre- and postapproval policies.
Subject Protection Issues Gain Broad Support
Confusion over policies governing prisoners points to the need for clear, uniform safeguards for all research.
New Research Models Spur Third-World Efforts
Rise in foreign studies requires attention to ethical issues, investigator training.
FDA to Modernize BIMO Activities
Agency seeks to calm critics by improving subject protection, while also streamlining research oversight.
Demand for Evidence Drives Research Process
Payers seek more comparative drug data from sponsors and independent researchers.
FDA Outlines Critical Path Opportunities
The much anticipated list features initiatives in biomarkers and research productivity.
Managing the Myriad of FDA Meetings
More consultations with sponsors promise to drive drug development, but also impose a growing burden on FDA.
Early Studies Aim to Spur Development
FDA seeks to reduce clinical research failures and make drug labeling more useful.
FDA, Sponsors Seek to Strengthen PDUFA
Drug safety and R&D issues will play a prominent role in user fee program revisions.
Clinical Inspections, IRBs Face Overhaul
Changes prompt new oversight approaches by FDA and research institutions.
Search for Stability at FDA
While veteran officials keep the agency running, changes continue at FDA's new drug review and safety oversight offices.