FDA forms partnership with WebMD

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and WebMD say they are collaborating in expanding consumers' access to the federal agency's health database.

"We are enthusiastic about this collaboration with WebMD because it will enable us to reach more consumers with accurate, science-based information that can help them improve their health," Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach of the FDA said. "This is an important step forward in our effort to form partnerships to help bring timely safety alerts and other public health information to a wider audience in the most effective and convenient way."

The FDA said WebMD attracts nearly 50 million unique visitors each month, providing consumers with health news and information.

The partnership includes creation of an online consumer health information resource on WebMD.com (www.webmd.com/fda) through which people can access information on the safety of FDA-regulated products, including food, medicine and cosmetics.

The terms of the FDA-WebMD partnership are available at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/ohrms/advdisplay.cfm.