The F DA and National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are hosting a workshop Sept. 17 on live bacteria's role in preventing and treating diseases, according to STAT's Morning Rounds e-newsletter.
At the workshop, experts will review evidence on the potential benefits of probiotics and other products containing live bacteria to help treat certain medical conditions, such as neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
While there is growing interest within the healthcare industry about the use of probiotics, some health experts said they feel more research is required to ensure the products' safety and efficacy.
Pieter Cohen, MD, assistant professor at Boston-based Harvard Medical School who studies supplements, told STAT he hopes "the FDA will focus on how to modernize its antiquated approach to ensuring probiotic safety and ensure that only high-quality products are available to consumers."