FDA, VA SIGN AGREEMENT TO COLLABORATE ON MEDICAL PRODUCT SAFETY

The FDA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in which the two bodies will share information and expertise related to the review and use of devices, drugs and biologics.

The partnership is one of the ongoing medical product safety initiatives detailed in a report released by the FDA Jan. 30 in response to a 2006 report issued by the Institute of Medicine, which criticized the agency's medical product monitoring efforts, especially regarding drugs.

The MOU can be viewed at www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/oc079-mou0001.pdf (http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/oc079-mou0001.pdf).

The FDA report can be viewed at www.fda.gov/oc/reports/iom013007.pdf (http://www.fda.gov/oc/reports/iom013007.pdf).