HHS to set up biodefense advisory board

Bioterrorism
Public Health

Jun 20, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt has announced plans to appoint a 13-member panel to advise him on biodefense issues, including chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological threats to public health.

The group, to be called the National Biodefense Science Board, was authorized by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, passed last December. It will give advice about trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field and make recommendations about research and development, according to an HHS news release issued yesterday.

"This new advisory board will add a wide range of expertise and viewpoints from outside of government to help inform HHS decision-making processes," Leavitt said.

The panel will include four members from the drug, biotechnology, and medical device industries and four from academic institutions. Of the other five, one will be from an organization representing healthcare consumers and another must be a practicing healthcare professional, HHS said.

The board will meet twice a year, according to HHS.

See also:

Jun 19 HHS news release, with information on how to submit a resume for consideration
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2007pres/06/20070619a.html

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