The FDA has appointed Paul Seligman Associate Center Director for Safety Policy and Communication in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). In this newly created position, Seligman will oversee drug safety issues and policies and manage the dissemination of safety information to healthcare professionals and patients through the agency's website.

"This new position signifies FDA's commitment to drug safety," said CDER Director Steven Galson. "The appointment of Dr. Seligman represents our efforts to consolidate responsibility for developing Center-wide drug safety policy as well as coordinating our efforts in the area of risk communication."

Seligman will also oversee the agency's Drug Safety Board and MedWatch program, and will play a significant role in implementing recommendations from external organizations such as the Institute of Medicine and the Government Accountability Office, which have conducted in-0depth examinations of drug safety processes at the FDA.