To encourage the committees' independence, FDA recruits members from a broad range of qualified candidates. Requests for candidates also appear in the Federal Register. A list of nominees is then sent to the Office of the Commissioner for final selection. Meetings Committees typically meet two to four times a year, but may meet as often as FDA needs them. FDA announces upcoming meetings in the Federal Register.
Most meetings are entirely open.
FDA almost always sets the agenda and prepares the questions for each meeting. Anyone, however, may ask that a specific drug issue be brought before the appropriate committee. When a committee itself asks to review a matter within its purview, this is granted whenever possible. Types of Advice FDA may especially want a committee's opinion about a new drug, a major new indication for an already approved drug, or a special regulatory requirement being considered, such as a boxed warning in a drug's labeling. The committees may advise FDA on necessary labeling information, and help with guidelines for developing particular kinds of drugs, such as those for anesthesia, heartbeat irregularities, and cancer.