FDA in DC

Posted by Amanda at Friday, March 09, 2012

I am halfway done with my rotation at the FDA. It is in Silver Spring, MD about 15 minutes from Washington DC which is where I am staying. I have definitely learned a lot during the past two weeks. I didn't realize how many pharmacists actually worked for the FDA. There are also a lot of pharmacy students.

I am in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in the office of regulatory policy. My department consists of mostly pharmacists and lawyers. My department handles all the policy with the FDA. All the regulation that is passed into the law and all the information that the FDA puts out to the public goes through my office.

So far I got to work on one of the acts that are being passed by congress called the prescription drug user fee act. I worked two regulations that are going to be passed in the future. I am working on a project with two other students regarding a new REMS program that is going to start next week. I also attend presentations that teach us about the other departments in the FDA where pharmacists can work. The main branch that they have talked about is the public health service. There are many benefits that come with working for the PHS, it is very tempting, but they are have a hiring freeze right now :(