In 2017, patient communities commented in public feedback to create an outside group to provide input on patient engagement across the agency. In response to that feedback and with help from patient organization representatives, the FDA and CTTI established the PEC. The PEC was modeled after the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party. The PEC is facilitated by federal law to foster patient participation and incorporate patient experiences in the regulatory process.

The activities of the PEC may guide some FDA and CTTI activities. The PEC is not considered an FDA advisory committee and activities are not intended to advise or direct the activities of either organization.

PEC meetings are not directly related to regulatory policy decisions and are non-committal. The group does not discuss specific medical products or treatments and tries to avoid topics that are not part of FDA’s authority, such as patient concerns about insurance coverage and medical costs.

The PEC is a chance for the patient community to discuss and exchange views and perspectives (ideas and experiences). The PEC serves as a shared setting in which the patient community, FDA, and CTTI discuss a range of topics for enhancing communication, education, and patient engagement related to medical product regulation. The activities of the PEC may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Communication and Education 

• Assist sorting out topics of shared interest to the PEC, CTTI, and the FDA
  • Examples may include, but are not limited to, clear ways for patients to engage, communicate, and understand FDA policies. 
• Identify possible needs for communication tools and educational resources for patient communities (patients, caregivers and advocates) 
• Contribute to the development of communication tools and educational resources, such as patient focused webpages, background information on the role of the FDA, etc.
• Increase awareness and take part in two-way education about medical product regulation in patient communities

Engagement

• Share information and experiences from patient communities on topics to inform patient engagement activities 
• Explore new and creative ideas to enhance patient engagement 
• Collaborate with the FDA/CTTI to inform their communities about public meetings and resources from the FDA/CTTI

Representatives from the patient community who participate in the PEC include:

• Patients
• Caregivers who have personal experience supporting someone with a health condition. A caregiver can be a parent, child, partner, family member, or friend.
• Representatives from patient groups who, through their role in the patient group, have direct or indirect disease experience.

See CTTI’s Patient Engagement Collaborative page for a full member list and more information about the PEC.

The 2023 PEC member application period is now closed.  Up to 8 new members will be selected. Membership terms for new members will be 2-year appointments, beginning January 1, 2024. 

The application review period will take a minimum of 2 months after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 14, 2023. 

All applicants (both those selected for PEC membership and those who are not selected) will be notified of the final application decision no later than December 31, 2023. 

A selection committee consisting of patient advocates, staff from CTTI and the FDA review all applications and select qualified individuals. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to meaningfully contribute to the PEC, represent and express the patient voice for their constituency, work in a constructive manner with involved stakeholders, and understand and navigate the clinical research system.

CTTI and the FDA ensure involvement of representatives with a variety of diverse perspectives and experiences from patients, caregivers and patient organizations including but not limited to sociodemographic factors (such as age, gender, ethnicity, and education level) and disease experience.

Contact PatientEngagementCollaborative@fda.hhs.gov with questions.