FDA/DoD Collaborations
![Combat medics conduct an exercise at the Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, on Jan. 10, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Armando R. Limon, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division)](https://public4.pagefreezer.com:443/content/FDA/13-12-2021T17:36/https://www.fda.gov/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/military_medical_1600px.jpg?itok=RqlpUaDG)
Enhanced Engagements for Products Relevant to the Department of Defense (DoD)
Public Law 115-92, enacted December 12, 2017, authorized the Department of Defense (DoD) to request, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide, assistance to expedite development and the FDA’s review of products to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions facing American military personnel. On January 16, 2018, the FDA and DoD announced the launch of a joint program to prioritize the efficient development of safe and effective medical products intended for deployed American military personnel.
Utilizing these expanded authorities, the FDA works closely with DoD’s Office of Health Affairs to better understand the military’s medical needs for deployed personnel; give the highest level of attention to and expedite its review of priority DoD medical products in a manner similar to products under the breakthrough therapy designation; provide ongoing technical advice to DoD to aid in the rapid development and manufacturing of medical products for use by the military; and, take a closer look at products currently under development to determine opportunities to expedite their availability.
On November 2, 2018, FDA and DoD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting forth the framework for the ongoing partnership and the creation of a robust program that can better serve the health care needs of American military personnel.
Additional details
- Public Law (PL) 115-92 - information from DoD
- Initial Work Plan for Products Relevant to the Department of Defense (PDF, 115 KB) (January 16, 2018)
- News release: FDA and DoD launch program to expedite availability of medical products for the emergency care of American military personnel (January 16, 2018)
- News release: FDA and DoD formalize collaboration to advance medical products in support of American military personnel (November 2, 2018)
- MOU Concerning Coordination with FDA Regarding DoD Medical Product Development and Assessment (MOU 225-19-01) (November 2, 2018)
Related links
- August 13, 2021: FDA approved a Biologics License Application for TICOVAC (Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine), for active immunization to prevent tick-borne encephalitis in individuals 1 year of age and older. The vaccine is manufactured by Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals; development of this vaccine has been an important need for the U.S. military.
- December 20, 2019: Department of the Army, the Surgeon General-Sponsored Assay Supports First-Ever FDA-Approved Ebola Vaccine in U.S. (DoD news release)
- December 19, 2019: FDA finalized the guidance Considerations for the Development of Dried Plasma Products Intended for Transfusion. This guidance provides recommendations for the development of safe and effective dried plasma products intended for transfusion; it finalizes the guidance of the same title dated October 2018.
- August 29, 2019: FDA Action Makes Blood Product More Accessible to Warfighters in Combat (DoD news release)
- November 2, 2018: Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on agency’s approval of Dsuvia and the FDA’s future consideration of new opioids
- October 29, 2018: FDA issues draft guidance on the development of dried plasma products intended for transfusion
- September 14, 2018: DoD and FDA collaborate to help speed potential countermeasures for Ebola and other viruses
- August 10, 2018: Breakthrough in Malaria Prevention: U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) Announces FDA Approval of New Antimalarial Drug (DoD news release)
- July 10, 2018: FDA takes action to support American military personnel by granting an authorization for freeze-dried plasma product to enable broader access while the agency works toward approval of the product
- February 14, 2018: FDA authorizes marketing of first blood test to aid in the evaluation of concussion in adults
- MCM-Related Counterterrorism Legislation
- MCMi Collaborations