FDA veterinary advisory committee disbands

The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine announced Nov. 22, 2013, the disbanding of its Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee, a group of outside experts retained as special government employees to offer opinions on animal drug and food issues. Instead, the FDA says it will continue to use other forums to seek expert and public opinion on regulatory matters.

“CVM believes that the VMAC is no longer necessary because of other opportunities for input; the last VMAC meeting was in 2010 and the committee has met only six times in the last decade. CVM has held several other public meetings on specific regulatory issues in the same time period. For example, the center is currently taking part in an open public meeting on the proposed Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act, and earlier in 2013 held five listening sessions around the country on the issue of antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture. Additionally, CVM encourages public input through the Federal Register on proposed rules, draft guidance documents for industry, and other calls for public comment,” according to an FDA press release.

The committee was formed April 24, 1984, to review and evaluate available data concerning safety and effectiveness of new animal drugs, feeds, and devices for use in the treatment and prevention of animal diseases and increased animal production. A Nov. 22, 2013, Federal Register notice declared the committee was terminated on Sept. 24, 2013.

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