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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the renewal of the charter for the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. This committee's charter has been extended for two years, lasting until January 19, 2023. This notice was made in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. For more information, interested parties can contact Koo-Whang Chung at the CDC.

The final rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services allows Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients via telemedicine without needing an in-person medical evaluation by the prescribing practitioner. This is permissible if another VA practitioner has conducted an in-person evaluation. This change provides greater access to care for veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, while still implementing safeguards against the misuse of controlled substances. The rule includes requirements for reviewing the patient's electronic health record and state prescription drug monitoring program data before prescribing.

The Office of the Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services has announced a request for public comment on a proposed information collection related to real property use for public health purposes. This collection, approved under control number 0937-0191, is aimed at extending the current process for such purposes and was set to expire on April 30, 2021. The office seeks feedback on the estimated burden, utility, and methods for enhancing the collection's clarity and efficiency. Comments should be sent by April 12, 2021, to Sherrette Funn via email or phone.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Department of Health and Human Services, has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a review of a program called CareerTrac. This program aims to track the career progress of participants in health research training for at least ten years after their training. The information helps NIH and its institutes evaluate the success of training programs and make strategic decisions. The public can submit comments about this information collection within 30 days of the notice's publication date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is announcing a public meeting for the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). The meeting will take place on March 4, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and it will be accessible via teleconference. The committee will discuss various topics related to healthcare infection prevention and control, including updates from different workgroups and the CDC's response to the Coronavirus disease. The public is welcome to listen in and provide comments, with written comments due by February 25, 2021.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is updating an existing system of records managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and renamed it to "NIH Loan Repayment Records." This update also includes proposed exemptions for some records from certain requirements of the Privacy Act, intended to protect the identity of those who provide information in confidence. The system is used to manage and evaluate educational Loan Repayment Programs, which help repay loans for individuals conducting biomedical and behavioral research. Public comments on these changes can be submitted until March 15, 2021, and the new system will be effective after any feedback is addressed.

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced changes to the drug testing panels used in Federal workplace testing programs. The revised panels now include fentanyl and its metabolite norfentanyl, reflecting changes in drug use patterns and safety concerns, particularly related to the opioid crisis. Although there was a proposal to remove MDMA and MDA from the tests due to their low detection rates, this has been postponed for further study. These updates aim to improve the accuracy and relevance of drug tests, balancing scientific evidence, and public input to maintain workplace safety.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are announcing the next meeting of the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE), set for February 6, 2025. This virtual meeting is open to the public and aims to discuss ways to improve consumer education strategies for health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The panel advises the Department of Health and Human Services on how to best communicate healthcare information, especially to minority and underserved communities. Registration is required to attend, and attendees can submit presentations or comments by January 23, 2025.

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities has announced a change in the format of an upcoming meeting. Scheduled for May 5, 2025, the meeting will now be held virtually instead of in a hybrid format. It will involve the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities and will be partially closed to the public. This update was made public through an amended notice in the Federal Register.

The Department of Health and Human Services has released a statement about improving transparency in the drug approval process by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They examined how long it takes the FDA to review and approve new drug applications. Historically, Congress set a 180-day limit for this process, but recent reviews show that it often takes longer. To improve transparency and accountability, the FDA will now publish detailed timelines of these reviews on its website so the public and Congress can better understand these processes and their impacts.