FDA forms internal nanotechnology task force
The US Food and Drugs Administration is to form an internal FDA nanotechnology task force, charged with determining regulatory approaches drug products that use nanotechnology materials.
The US Food and Drugs Administration is to form an internal FDA nanotechnology task force, charged with determining regulatory approaches drug products that use nanotechnology materials.
The task force will evaluate the effectiveness of the agency's regulatory approaches and authorities to meet any unique challenge that may be presented by the use of nanotechnology materials in FDA-regulated products.
Materials made in the nanoscale size range can often have chemical or physical properties that are different from those of their larger counterparts. Such differences include altered magnetic properties, altered electrical or optical activity, increased structural integrity, and increased chemical and biological activity. Because of these special properties, they may also pose different safety issues than their larger counterparts.
"As this exciting new area of science develops, FDA must be positioned to address both health promotion and protection challenges that it may present," said FDA acting commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach.
Initially the task force will chair a public meeting on October 10, designed to help the FDA learn more about developments in nanotechnology materials, including emerging scientific issues such as biological interactions that may lead to beneficial or adverse health effects.