FDA and Defense Dept to share data

Data from the USA's Military Health System will soon help the nation's Food and Drug Administration make decisions affecting the safety and use of FDA-regulated products for all Americans, the latter revealed. The FDA and the Department of Defense have announced a partnership to share data and expertise related to the review and use of agency-regulated drugs, biologics and medical devices.

General patient data such as prescriptions, laboratory results and people's weight will be used by the FDA to spot trends, which may identify potential concerns, as well as recognize the benefits of medicinal products. The two agencies say they will protect all personal health information exchanged under the agreement, in accordance with federal law.

The "FDA is privileged to collaborate with DoD to protect the health of all Americans," said Commissioner of Food and Drugs Andrew von Eschenbach, noting that "the opportunity to create systems to monitor the safety of products should directly benefit those cared for by the armed services as well as many others."