FDA to disclose more details on drug, food safety

WASHINGTON (AP) — The agency that regulates everything from pacemakers to peanut butter would begin publicizing safety problems with the drugs and devices it rejects under a proposal announced Wednesday.

The effort is part of a broader plan to remake the Food and Drug Administration's public image, which has come under fire for being too secretive.

The agency suggested 21 ways the FDA could release more information to the public in areas like drug evaluation and food manufacturing inspections.

Agency leadership stressed that the agency is merely considering the changes and that some would require legal changes by Congress to implement.

The FDA has long operated under strict confidentiality rules because its scientists handle reams of proprietary information from food, drug and device companies.