(L to R) Mary Lou Valdez, Associate Commissioner for International Programs (HHS/FDA); Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner HHS/FDA; Ambassador Peter Cianchette; Secretary Leavitt; Costa Rica’s Vice Minister of Health Ana Cecilia Morice; and Paul Seligman, Director of HHS/FDA Latin America Office

Department of Health Opens Regional FDA Office in Costa Rica

San Jose, January 7, 2008

The United States Department of Health and Human Services marked the opening of the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regional Office for Latin America with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the U.S. Embassy.

The ceremony was led by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt, accompanied by FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, the Costa Rican Vice-minister of Health Ana Morice, and U.S. Ambassador Peter Cianchette.

In his remarks, Secretary Leavitt noted that “ensuring the safety of imported products is important to all our nations. In recent months, we have begun to open similar offices in China, India and Europe and now Central America. This office is an important step that helps us continue to build quality and safety into the import process.” (photo gallery)

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