HHS TASK FORCE CALLS FOR IMPROVED COOPERATION

To help speed the availability of innovative medical products, HHS should create a forum that will enable investigators and developers to discuss their products with key research, regulatory and reimbursement agencies, according to an HHS task force report.

Before reaching consumers, new technologies often run into unnecessary hurdles during the safety and efficacy review, according to HHS. The task force, formed in May 2004, examined ways to better foster innovation and research needed to bring new technologies and treatment forward quickly, HHS added.

The task force, chaired by acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford, examined ways to better coordinate the review process across the department and to streamline the way HHS does business.

A copy of the report, "Moving Medical Innovations Forward -- New Initiatives from HHS," is available online at http://www.hhs.gov/reference/medicalinnovations.shtml (http://www.hhs.gov/reference/medicalinnovations.shtml).