FDA advisory committee cuts

Executive Summary

Responding to a Feb. 10 order by President Clinton that each department and agency terminate not less than one-third of advisory committees subject to FACA and not required by statute, each FDA center and office is in the process of drawing up a list of options on where cuts might be made and the pros and cons of each option. The options range from cutting some or all of the committees, combining committees, reducing the number of members, decreasing the frequency of meetings, and using government facilities only for committee meetings. Ann Witt, special assistant to FDA Deputy Commissioner for Operations Jane Henney, is coordinating the review. HHS Secretary Shalala and FDA Commissioner Kessler must submit the recommendations to OMB by May 10.