New FDA tool improves access to adverse event data

The US Food and Drug Administration has launched a new tool to improve access to the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) for consumers, researchers and providers.

The FAERS dashboard enables users to search for and organize data by criteria such as the name of the product, the type of adverse event, or the patient type.

The FDA hopes the increased transparency will spur the submission of more detailed and complete reports from consumers, healthcare professionals and others.

"Tools like the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System are critical to the FDA’s ability to help ensure the greatest level of transparency and help patients and providers make safe use of drug and biologic products after they are approved by the FDA," said FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb.

"The FDA is committed to fully informing patients and providers of adverse events reported with medical products and this enhanced portal now provides patients, doctors and others with easier access to the data they are interested in."