Manila, Feb. 19 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) met on Tuesday to optimize the facilitated review pathway (FRP) to expedite access to essential medicines and medical devices.

In a news release on Wednesday, the FDA said the meeting also discussed other key topics, such as international regulatory collaboration, pharmacovigilance in Asia, and the agency's relationship with clinical trial sites.

Policy and Planning Service - International Affairs Unit Senior Health Program Officer Ray Mark Morante headed the session. Other key attendees from the Philippines included representatives of the Office of the Director General, Center for Drug Regulation and Research, and Fie...