FDA TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE USES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
The FDA has formed an internal Nanotechnology Task Force to help the agency further understand this emerging science and determine how to regulate as well as encourage the development of products that use it.
In a notice published in the Aug. 11 Federal Register, the FDA is also announcing a public workshop Oct. 10 on nanotechnology products and issues. The meeting will be chaired by the Nanotechnology Task Force, which will submit its initial findings to the FDA's acting commissioner within nine months of the meeting. Comments will be accepted until Nov. 10.
The agency is holding the workshop to bring itself up to speed on new developments that pertain to FDA-regulated products, scientific issues that can lead to either beneficial or adverse effects and any other issues about which industry, academia and the public may wish to inform the FDA concerning the use of nanotechnology materials. As part of its Critical Path Initiative, the FDA is also interested in learning if there are opportunities for the agency to help overcome scientific hurdles inhibiting the use of nanotechnology in medical product development.
Several environmental groups recently urged the FDA to look into the issue. In a citizen petition submitted in May, the groups demanded the agency require toxicity testing and mandatory product labeling to address potential health risks associated with sunscreens and other products containing engineered nanoparticles.
"Policymakers have failed to address the risks of nanomaterials with concrete regulatory initiatives," according to the petition, which was posted on the website of one petitioner, the International Center for Technology Assessment. "FDA has stated it believes that the existing battery of pharmatoxicity tests is probably adequate for most nanotechnology products that we regulate."