FDA to address nanotechnology standards

Nanotechnology has enormous potential to revolutionize the drug, medical device, cosmetic and food industries, but according to a new report, the FDA lacks a standard regulatory procedure for approving nanotech products. Last August the FDA created a task force to advise the agency on nanotech products to boost the agency's oversight of the technology. Now the FDA's Nanotechnology Task Force has concluded that the agency doesn't have the expertise, tools or regulatory pathways needed to assess the impact of nanotech drugs and medical devices on human health. In order for nanotechnology to safely achieve its potential, the task force recommends that the FDA take a number of steps to increase its in-house expertise and standardize the nanotech review process.

"Nanotechnology holds enormous potential for use in a vast array of products," said FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D. "Recognizing the emerging nature of this technology and its potential for rapid development, this report fosters the continued development of innovative, safe and effective FDA-regulated products that use nanotechnology materials.

- read this article for more
- check out the full FDA report

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