Search Results for keywords:"public health"

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reorganizing its National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) to better address public health challenges related to these diseases. Changes include updating the mission statement and restructuring various offices and branches within the center to improve coordination, research, and prevention efforts. The reorganization aims to enhance the effectiveness of programs, improve collaboration with partners, and focus on health equity and reducing health disparities. This initiative reflects CDC's commitment to using the best scientific data to guide public health decisions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a final guidance document titled "Evaluating the Public Health Importance of Food Allergens Other Than the Major Food Allergens Listed in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act." This guidance outlines how the FDA plans to assess the public health significance of food allergens not already classified as major allergens, like milk or peanuts. It focuses mostly on allergies caused by IgE antibodies known to trigger severe allergic reactions. The FDA also made updates in response to feedback, including changes related to non-IgE-mediated allergies and new data references.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to deny Yong Sheng Jiao's request for a hearing and issued a final debarment order. Jiao, who pleaded guilty to felony charges related to importing a misbranded drug into the U.S., is barred for five years from providing services connected to drug application processes. The FDA determined that the seriousness of Jiao's offense warranted this punishment, despite Jiao's claims of misunderstanding and attempts to challenge the penalty's severity. The decision reflects the FDA's commitment to maintaining the safety and integrity of the drug industry in the United States.

The memorandum from the President directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop recommendations for improving and modernizing the regulatory review process. It emphasizes creating regulations that promote public health, safety, economic growth, social welfare, racial justice, and environmental stewardship. The memo also highlights the need to consider the effects of regulations on disadvantaged communities and to ensure that regulatory initiatives are beneficial. Moreover, it underscores the importance of making the review process more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it received requests from pesticide registrants to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations. This action is governed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and unless there are significant public comments or the requests are withdrawn, the EPA intends to approve these cancellations post the comment period ending August 16, 2021. If approved, selling, distributing, or using the affected pesticides will only be allowed if it complies with EPA's final order terms. The EPA is also allowing for a 180-day comment period for voluntary cancellations concerning minor agricultural uses, according to FIFRA requirements.

The U.S. International Trade Commission is seeking public comments on potential public interest issues related to a possible violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The investigation involves certain bone cements and bone cement accessories imported by Heraeus Medical GmbH and Heraeus Medical LLC. If a violation is found, the Commission may issue exclusion and cease and desist orders against these imports. The public is invited to submit comments by March 9, 2021, focusing on how such remedial actions might impact public health, the economy, and consumers in the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to update the list of chemicals required for toxic chemical release reporting under two acts: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). This update adds nine specific chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), based on a Congressional mandate from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. These PFAS must be reported in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) starting with the 2025 reporting year. The rule is effective from February 5, 2025, and aims to improve public and governmental understanding of PFAS releases for better environmental management.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking public comments on a concept paper regarding the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in animal feed. The paper suggests a framework for how drug sponsors can define the duration of use for these drugs in food-producing animals, aiming to prevent antimicrobial resistance and promote public health. The FDA is particularly interested in input on the timelines and processes proposed in the paper and hopes to use the feedback to create draft guidance. Comments can be submitted electronically or in writing by April 12, 2021.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new guidance aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission caused by sepsis in human cell and tissue products. This guidance is designed to help organizations that make donor eligibility decisions by recommending practices to lower infection risks. The FDA issued this guidance immediately due to urgent health concerns, updating previous recommendations from 2007. The guidance reflects the FDA's current viewpoints but does not impose any legal obligations.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released revised final guidances to minimize the risk of spreading disease agents like sepsis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis through human cells, tissues, and related products. The guidances originally advised establishments to implement recommendations within four weeks, but now suggest a longer timeframe until May 4, 2025, to allow for further review and consideration of public comments. These changes follow a presidential directive for regulatory review, prioritizing public health while seeking further input. The FDA emphasizes that these updates are being implemented immediately, even as they remain open to additional public comments.