The FDA recently unveiled a new makeover for its website, www.fda.gov, and a brand new blog, “FDA Voice,” intended to provide more behind-the-scenes insight and commentary from FDA officials.  The rationale for the new look of the website is described by FDA Commissioner, Margaret Hamburg:

We have given the homepage a cleaner look and feel – by updating the design and reducing the number of links on the page. We have been working hard to improve your experience at FDA.gov, and hope that the changes we have made will help you find the information you need as quickly and easily as possible.

FDA Voice 

The new blog, “FDA Voice,” is intended to provide communications from senior level FDA officials about topics and information not addressed by other FDA outlets.  The blog’s “About” paragraph describes that intended goal of the content:

FDA’s official blog brought to you from FDA’s senior leadership and staff stationed at home and abroad – sharing news, background, announcements and other information about the work done at the FDA on behalf of the American public.

Topics discussed on the blog so far (5 posts since December 23, 2011) include medical device guidance, Acetaminophen dosing for children and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

FDA Website

The official website for the FDA, www.fda.gov, is a typical government agency website and has seen a variety of facelifts and re-designs throughout the years. Below is a slideshow of the FDA’s website from 1996 to present, courtesy of the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, www.archive.org.  One thing is clear from these reiterations: Good luck finding what you’re looking for!

[Click on an image to enlarge]