Harmonization. Since 2003 both the U.S. Government Accountability Office
(GAO) and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) have recommended
that the FDA begin working with overseas governments to harmonize regulations.
This recommendation was reiterated by several stakeholders at an NVAC subcommittee
meeting held in Washington, D.C., 20–28 June 2004 (headed by Alan
Hinman), to discuss recommendations in the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report
on vaccine finance.10 The FDA responded to these recommendations in 2003 by
setting up a committee to look into the harmonization process. At a recent meeting
on vaccine supply (also hosted by NVAC on 24–25 January 2005), FDA representatives
reported measurable progress toward streamlining manufacturing requirements,
communications with manufacturers, and harmonizing U.S. and European
standards for vaccine approval.