Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Health and Human Services

# AGENCY:

Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

                        As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is hereby giving notice that a meeting is scheduled to be held for the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB). The meeting will be streamed live on                         *hhs.gov/live.*                         A pre-registered public comment session will be held during the virtual meeting. Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to present their comments live during the meeting. Individuals who wish to send in their written public comment should send an email to                         *CARB@hhs.gov.*                         Registration information is available on the website                         *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb*                         and must be completed by February 15, 2024, for the February 22, 2024, Public Meeting. Additional information about registering for the meeting and providing public comment can be obtained at                         *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb*                         on the Upcoming Meetings page.                    

# DATES:

                        The meeting is scheduled to be held on February 22, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (times are tentative and subject to change). The confirmed times and agenda items for the meeting will be posted on the website for the PACCARB at                         *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb*                         when this information becomes available. Pre-registration for attending the meeting is strongly suggested and should be completed no later than February 15, 2024.                    

# ADDRESSES:

                        The virtual meeting can be accessed through a live webcast on the day of the meeting. Additional instructions regarding attending this meeting virtually will be posted at least one week prior to the meeting at:                         *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Jomana Musmar, M.S., Ph.D., Designated Federal Officer, Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Phone: 202-746-1512; Email:                         *CARB@hhs.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB), established by Executive Order 13676, is continued by section 505 of Public Law 116-22, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 (PAHPAIA). Activities and duties of the PACCARB are governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. app.), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of Federal advisory committees.

The PACCARB shall advise and provide information and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat and improve capabilities to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, or treat such resistance. The PACCARB shall function solely for advisory purposes.

Such advice, information, and recommendations may be related to improving: the effectiveness of antibiotics; research and advanced research on, and the development of, improved and innovative methods for combating or reducing antibiotic resistance, including new treatments, rapid point-of-care diagnostics, alternatives to antibiotics, including alternatives to animal antibiotics, and antimicrobial stewardship activities; surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, including publicly available and up-to-date information on resistance to antibiotics; education for health care providers and the public with respect to up-to-date information on antibiotic resistance and ways to reduce or combat such resistance to antibiotics related to humans and animals; methods to prevent or reduce the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections; including stewardship programs; and coordination with respect to international efforts in order to inform and advance the United States capabilities to combat antibiotic resistance.

                    The February 22, 2024, meeting will serve as a critical platform for key international stakeholders, and non-government organizations, to share their latest strategies and progress in tackling the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. The focus will be on both showcasing successful international and regional initiatives and identifying areas for enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange. The meeting agenda will be posted on the PACCARB website at                     *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb*                     when it has been finalized. All agenda items are tentative and subject to change. Instructions regarding attending the meeting virtually will be posted at least one week prior to the meeting at:                     *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb.*

                    Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments virtually during the February meeting by pre-registering online at                     *http://www.hhs.gov/​paccarb;*                     pre-registration is required for participation in this session with limited spots available. Written public comments can also be emailed to                     *CARB@hhs.gov*                     by midnight February 15, 2024, and should be limited to no more than one page. All public comments received prior to February 15, 2024, will be provided to the PACCARB members.                

Dated: January 10, 2024.

Jomana F. Musmar,

Designated Federal Officer, Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

[FR Doc. 2024-01545 Filed 1-25-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4150-44-P