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  4. Common Questions and Answers about FDA Advisory Committee Meetings
  1. About Advisory Committees

Common Questions and Answers about FDA Advisory Committee Meetings

1. How do I find out about upcoming advisory committee meetings?

FDA is required to publish announcements of advisory committee meetings at least 15 calendar days before a meeting date in the Federal Register (41 CFR sec 102-3.150). FDA also provides meeting announcements on scheduled meetings, which can be found on the Advisory Committee Calendar page.

2. How do I register for a meeting?

Registering for a meeting is not required unless you plan to speak during the Open Public Hearing portion of a meeting. For further information regarding Open Public Hearing registration, refer to the specific advisory committee meeting announcement.

3. When are meetings announced to the public?

FDA is required to publish announcements of advisory committee meetings at least 15 calendar days before a meeting date in the Federal Register (41 CFR sec 102-3.150). Once a meeting is published in the Federal Register, it is posted on FDA's advisory committee meeting calendar, which can be found on the Advisory Committee Calendar page.

4. How do I find out if a meeting is cancelled or postponed?

A notice in the Federal Register about last-minute modifications that impact a previously announced advisory committee meeting cannot always be published quickly enough to provide timely notice. Therefore, you should always check the Advisory Committee Calendar for updates to the Meeting Announcement, or call the appropriate Designated Federal Officer listed in the Contact Information section of the Meeting Announcement to learn about possible modifications before coming to a meeting.

5. Who do I contact if I would like to present at the Open Public Hearing portion of a meeting?

If you would like to present during the Open Public Hearing portion of a meeting, contact the person specified in the advisory committee meeting announcement. The contact person is usually the Designated Federal Officer for the committee. See our Open Public Hearing guidance document for further information on presenting during an Open Public Hearing.

6.  I am a person with a disability, if I need assistance who should I contact?

FDA welcomes the attendance of the public at its advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with disabilities. If you require accommodations due to a disability, contact the person specified in a meeting announcement at least seven days in advance of a meeting. Information regarding meetings held on the White Oak Campus can be found at Public Meetings at the FDA White Oak Campus.

7. Are meetings available by Webcast?

Some meetings are available by webcast. A link to the webcast will be provided in a meeting announcement or may be found with the background materials that are posted on FDA's website for a meeting. For information on meetings that are webcast from FDA's White Oak campus, see the White Oak Campus FAQs.

8. How much does it cost to view a webcast?

Webcasts of meetings that are noted in a Federal Register announcement or are made available on FDA's website with the background materials for a meeting are provided at no cost.

9. When are background materials for a meeting posted to the website?

FDA intends to make background material available to the public no later than 2 business days before a meeting. For onsite meetings, if FDA is unable to post the background material on its website prior to a meeting, the background material will be made publicly available at the time and location of the advisory committee meeting, and the background material will be posted on FDA's website after the meeting. For virtual meetings, if FDA is unable to post the background material on its website prior to the meeting, the background material will be posted to FDA’s website as soon as possible.  Information on committees and meeting materials are available on the Committees and Meeting Materials page.

10. When will the transcripts from a meeting be available?

Transcripts are generally available within 90 days after an advisory committee meeting.

11. What do I need to know about meetings held on FDA’s White Oak Campus, including whether there is food available, or if food can be brought to a meeting? 

Information regarding meetings held on the White Oak Campus can be found on Public Meetings at the FDA White Oak Campus. Please note that visitors to the White Oak Campus must enter through Building 1.

12. Can I take pictures or record an advisory committee meeting on the FDA White Oak Campus?

FDA advisory committee meetings are public events (except for limited closed sessions – see 5 U.S.C. 552(b)) and therefore anyone can take photographs or record a meeting, as long as these activities do not interfere with the conduct of the meeting. Persons attending FDA’s advisory committee meetings are advised that the agency is not responsible for providing access to electrical outlets, lights, or recording devices.

13. What are the expectations for public conduct and security at an advisory committee meeting?

The FDA would like to ensure that advisory committee meetings proceed in an orderly fashion, are conducted in a safe and secure environment, that the right of free speech is protected, and that the ability of FDA Advisory Committees and Panels to accomplish their objectives is not disrupted.

Please visit Public Conduct During FDA Advisory Committee Meetings our website for procedures on public conduct during advisory committee meetings.

 

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