IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Vice President Al Gore's National
Performance Review Hammer Award was presented today to the Los Angeles
Grassroots Regulatory Partnership (LA GRP) in a ceremony at the Los Angeles
District office of the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA).  The
award is presented to Federal employees or teams who find more effective ways
to reinvent government by cutting red tape, putting customers first,
empowering workers and getting back to basics.
    "The industry members of the LA GRP are pleased to be a part of this
initiative and we are extremely honored to have our efforts recognized by this
prestigious award," said Connie Kirby, director of regulatory affairs for
Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and LA GRP biotechnology representative.  "We
believe that opening communication between front-line FDA regulators and
industry is critical in maximizing compliance and streamlining product
development.  This is especially true for new and innovative products where
advancements in science and medical practice are continually presenting new
regulatory challenges.
    "In one short year of partnership with the FDA, we have made important
strides toward working to identify and address issues that affect our
respective industries, and we look forward to continue working together toward
our common goals," Kirby added.
    Presenting the award on behalf of Vice President Gore was Bob Stone,
director of the National Performance Review, an office established by the Vice
President to promote the reinvention of government.
    Since its founding in September 1995, the LA GRP is committed to working
in partnership to jointly identify opportunities to improve regulatory and
communication issues in order to protect and promote public health.  The group
was selected for the Hammer award based on a number of innovative programs
including: joint training programs for the FDA/biotechnology industry,
import/export community and laboratory scientists in the pharmaceutical
industry; launch of the GRP News, a quarterly newsletter, presenting matters
of general and specific interest from both the FDA's and industry's
perspectives; and the appointment of a dedicated Los Angeles District FDA
facilitator to mediate industry concerns outside the customary regulatory
process.
    LA GRP is comprised of seven officials from the FDA's Los Angeles District
and 14 representatives from Southern California and Arizona industries
regulated by the FDA: pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, biologics, blood
products, investigational review boards, imports, medical community, foods,
seafoods, dietary supplements, drug and device law, and cosmetics.  The group
meets once every six weeks to identify and resolve regulatory issues of
concern.
    Derived from the infamous $600 hammers purchased by a government agency
years ago, the award symbolizes a better way of doing things and consists of a
$6.00 hammer, a red ribbon and a card from the Vice President mounted in an
aluminum frame.

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