FDA Embraces the Web; Commissioner to Appear Live on CSPAN and Radio This Weekend

April 13, 2007
FDA is changing its web sites and digital communications, says Commissioner von Eschenbach, who will also be making some live media appearances this weekend. On Sunday, April 15 at 10 a.m. (EDT), he will be interviewed in the CSPAN show "The Newsmakers." On Monday, April 16 also at 10 a.m. (EDT), the Commissioner will be live on "The Diane Rehm" show on WAMU-FM, 88.5 FM. Below, his note "...The world is changing, and so must we change at FDA. Change can be a painful process, since it usually requires that we give up something in order to achieve something else. Today we are giving up outmoded and expensive print technology, but we are embracing the new mode of rapid, instantaneous, real-time communication of the 21st century. We are about to embark on a major transformation of FDA's Web sites. This transformation, which will take place over the coming months, is intended to achieve the following goals, all of which are documented as best practices for the top-rated Web sites: provide a common "look and feel" for FDA's Web presence; serve as an integrated communication vehicle for both internal and external audiences; streamline Web operations; expand our reach and effectiveness in our communications by improving the user's experience; and reflect both user needs and FDA priorities. The first component of our new, improved Web presence to launch is the user-friendly Web page, "Consumer Health Information for You and Your Family." This resource will feature timely consumer stories on pressing FDA topics, provide links to our most requested information, and include interactive content. As we focus on the Web, we will also discontinue printing the FDA Consumer magazine and use these resources to support more effective modern communication vehicles such as a consumer health information e-newsletter. A modern and effective FDA Web site is critically important for the agency to serve the public. Improving our Web site will help us to further cultivate trust, transparency, and communication among all of our stakeholders and help them better understand the nature and value of your work. Communication continues to be a top priority for the agency, and I hope that each of you will continue to think of ways that we can more effectively communicate with each other and with the people we serve as we protect and promote public health. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. Commissioner of Food and Drugs
FDA is changing its web sites and digital communications, says Commissioner von Eschenbach, who will also be making some live media appearances this weekend. On Sunday, April 15 at 10 a.m. (EDT), he will be interviewed in the CSPAN show "The Newsmakers." On Monday, April 16 also at 10 a.m. (EDT), the Commissioner will be live on "The Diane Rehm" show on WAMU-FM, 88.5 FM. Below, his note "...The world is changing, and so must we change at FDA. Change can be a painful process, since it usually requires that we give up something in order to achieve something else. Today we are giving up outmoded and expensive print technology, but we are embracing the new mode of rapid, instantaneous, real-time communication of the 21st century.We are about to embark on a major transformation of FDA's Web sites. This transformation, which will take place over the coming months, is intended to achieve the following goals, all of which are documented as best practices for the top-rated Web sites: provide a common "look and feel" for FDA's Web presence; serve as an integrated communication vehicle for both internal and external audiences; streamline Web operations; expand our reach and effectiveness in our communications by improving the user's experience; and reflect both user needs and FDA priorities.The first component of our new, improved Web presence to launch is the user-friendly Web page, "Consumer Health Information for You and Your Family." This resource will feature timely consumer stories on pressing FDA topics, provide links to our most requested information, and include interactive content. As we focus on the Web, we will also discontinue printing the FDA Consumer magazine and use these resources to support more effective modern communication vehicles such as a consumer health information e-newsletter.A modern and effective FDA Web site is critically important for the agency to serve the public. Improving our Web site will help us to further cultivate trust, transparency, and communication among all of our stakeholders and help them better understand the nature and value of your work. Communication continues to be a top priority for the agency, and I hope that each of you will continue to think of ways that we can more effectively communicate with each other and with the people we serve as we protect and promote public health. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. Commissioner of Food and Drugs
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