FDA Consolidates Drug Reviews

ROCKVILLE, Maryland—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will consolidate the review of all new pharmaceutical products in its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) by transferring the drug review duties currently handled by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research to CDER. Some reviews of biologics had gone to CDER previously, including those intended for use as oncologic drugs.

A working group led by senior associate commissioner Murray M. Lumpkin, MD, will develop a plan by January 2003 for implementing the transfer.