Domestic Mutual Reliance Work in Division of West Coast Imports (DWCI)
Guam
In October 2023, the FDA signed a partnership agreement with the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. The agreement formalizes the Partners’ mutual commitment to coordinate on activities related to oversight of imported food, drug, medical device, biological product, tobacco, and cosmetic products. This oversight helps prevent fraudulent and potentially dangerous products from entering supply chains, thereby advancing the objectives of the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program to combat fraud and abuse in healthcare programs.
In February 2024, FDA U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers presented a poster at the AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, annual meeting in Maryland. The presentation highlighted the innovative strategies employed by the FDA to navigate the challenges of the 2023 Category 4 Typhoon in Guam. It underscored the agency's dedication to protect public health through interagency collaboration and ensure regulated firms continue to meet their responsibilities – even during natural disasters. The lessons learned will help improve response efforts in the future, benefiting both the FDA and the communities it serves.